This Jamaican Stew Peas recipe is pure comfort in a bowl. Made with red kidney beans and flavored with herbs, spices, coconut milk, and stewing meat. This hearty stew is packed with so much flavor.
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The full recipe with ingredients/instructions is available on the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Important tips/tricks are also included in the blog post.
Stew peas is a recipe that my parents loved to add to our weekly dinner rotation. That's likely because it was not only delicious, but it was quite easy to make. It's a rich and hearty stew that's made with red kidney beans, rather than peas, and other herbs and spices like onions, scotch bonnet pepper for flavor, coconut, and thyme.
Traditionally, Jamaican stew pea recipes include salted pigtails or salted beef to add flavor. However, my mom, who was nice enough to give me her recipe, used neither of these. She uses smoked turkey necks because they are easier to find and they're healthier.
The stew is then finished by adding skinny Jamaican dumplings, known as spinners, to thicken it up. You'll want to serve this stew with white or brown rice for a full and comforting meal. I generally use the pressure cooker to make my stew peas, but you can use the stovetop or slow cooker as well. Serve it over rice or rice and peas for a complete meal.
Be sure to check out my brown stew chicken and curry chicken recipe for other Jamaican favorites.
How to make Jamaican Stew Peas
Gather your ingredients. You will need dried red kidney beans that have been soaked overnight or for at least 8 hours. You can also use canned beans if needed.
Add turkey necks, soaked kidney beans, 3 cups of the water the beans soaked in, yellow onion, green onions, thyme, coconut milk, and garlic to the pressure cooker.
Cover and cook on high pressure for 35 minutes, then allow the machine to naturally release for 10 minutes before releasing the remaining pressure.
While your machine is naturally releasing, start to make your spinners. Add all-purpose flour and salt to a bowl and stir to combine. Slowly add in enough water until a smooth ball is formed. Pinch off small pieces of dough and roll them into a cylinder. You can make your spinners skinny but I like mine to be a little thicker.
Once all the pressure has been release on your pressure cooker, open it and press sauté on the machine. Once the mixture begins to simmer, add in the spinners and the whole scotch bonnet pepper and allow the stew to simmer for 5-7 minutes until the dumplings are cooked.
Remove the pepper and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve the stew with rice and enjoy.
Slow Cooker
You can also make this recipe in a slow cooker. Dried Red kidney beans need prepping before adding to the slow cooker. Boil the soaked dried kidney beans in water for at least 10 minutes before adding them to the slow cooker along with the turkey necks, 3 cups of the water the beans boiled in, yellow onion, green onions, thyme, coconut milk, and garlic. Slow cook on low for 8-10 hours, adding the spinners and whole scotch bonnet pepper during the last hour. Remove the scotch bonnet pepper and season with salt and black pepper before serving.
Stovetop
Add turkey necks, soaked kidney beans, 3 cups of the water the beans soaked in, yellow onion, green onions, thyme, coconut milk, and garlic to a large pot on the stove and place on medium-high heat until it begins to simmer. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low and cook beans until softened, about 1.5-2 hours. During the last 30 minutes, add the spinners and whole scotch bonnet pepper. Remove the scotch bonnet pepper and season with salt and black pepper before serving.
Notes on Jamaican Stew Peas
- You can sub the dried kidney beans with two 15 oz canned kidney beans. If using canned beans, reduce the amount of water added by 1 cup.
- Adding the scotch bonnet pepper whole will not make the dish spicy, it just draws the flavor from the pepper. Do not cut the pepper unless you want this dish to be very spicy. Make sure the scotch bonnet pepper does not have any bruises or holes in it before adding.
- If you can't find scotch bonnet pepper, habanero pepper makes a great substitute.
- You can add any stewing meat you'd like, such as smoked turkey tails, turkey wings, ham hocks, etc. If using salted pig feet, be sure to soak the feet overnight to remove the excess salt. Stewing beef may also be used in this recipe to flavor the peas.
- It will take about 20 minutes for your machine to rise to pressure.
And there you have, delicious Jamaican stew peas. If you're looking for other popular Jamaican recipes, check these out:
Jamaican Stew Peas
Ingredients
Stew Peas
- 1 lb smoked turkey necks or turkey tails, wings, ham hocks, etc
- 2 cups dried kidney beans soaked overnight in 4 cups water or two 15 oz canned beans, undrained*
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- 2 green onions
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 2 springs fresh thyme
- 13.5 oz can unsweetened coconut milk
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 scotch bonnet pepper
- 1 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
Spinners
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 5-6 Tablespoons water
Instructions
- Add soaked kidney beans, 3 cups of the water the beans soaked in, a can of coconut milk, turkey necks, onions, garlic, and thyme to a pressure cooker.
- Cover and cook on high pressure for 35 minutes, then allow the machine to naturally release for 10 minutes before releasing the remaining pressure.
- While your machine is naturally releasing, start to make your spinners. Add all-purpose flour and ½ teaspoon salt to a bowl and stir to combine. Slowly add in enough water until a smooth ball is formed. Pinch off small pieces of dough and roll them into a cylinder.
- Once all the pressure has been released on your pressure cooker, open it and press sauté on the machine. Once the mixture begins to simmer, add in the spinners and the whole scotch bonnet pepper and allow the stew to simmer for 5-7 minutes until the dumplings are cooked.
- Remove the pepper and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with white or brown rice. Enjoy 🙂
Slow Cooker Instructions
- After soaking kidney beans, place beans and water in a large pot on the stove and boil for 10 minutes. Add this to the slow cooker along with the smoked turkey, yellow onions, green onions, thyme, coconut milk, and garlic. Cook on low for 8-10 hours, adding the spinners and whole scotch bonnet pepper during the last hour. Remove the scotch bonnet pepper and season with salt and black pepper before serving.
Stovetop Instructions
- Add turkey necks, soaked kidney beans, 3 cups of the water the beans soaked in, yellow onion, green onions, thyme, coconut milk, and garlic to a large pot on the stove and place on medium-high heat until it begins to simmer. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low and cook beans until softened, about 1.5-2 hours. During the last 30 minutes, add the spinners and whole scotch bonnet pepper. Remove the scotch bonnet pepper and season with salt and black pepper before serving.
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Notes
- You can sub the dried kidney beans with two 15 oz undrained canned kidney beans. If using canned beans, reduce the amount of water added by 1 cup.
- Adding the scotch bonnet pepper whole will not make the dish spicy, it just draws the flavor from the pepper. Do not cut the pepper unless you want this dish to be very spicy. Make sure the scotch bonnet pepper does not have any bruises or holes in it before adding.
- If you can't find scotch bonnet pepper, habanero pepper makes a great substitute.
- You can add any stewing meat you'd like, such as smoked turkey tails, turkey wings, ham hocks, etc. If using salted pig feet, be sure to soak the feet overnight to remove the excess salt. Stewing beef may also be used in this recipe to flavor the peas.
- It will take about 20 minutes for your pressure cooker to rise to pressure.
MsDeb says
My first time making Stew Peas. I followed the recipe using a pressure cooker and canned red beans. It was very tasty but the beans were almost cooked out and it was more watery than I expected. I'm sure I did something wrong. I plan to try it again soon.
tasia says
It is best not to use a pressure cooker and used dry red kidney beans. Can beans are rarely ever used. Our orignal way of cooking did not include the use of can beans in this recipe.
Juliet says
I had never used coconut milk in stew peas before, however, I decided to follow the recipe exactly. It was absolutely delicious!!! I made it in the Instant Pot and use ham hocks and smoked neck bones.
Tanya says
Thanks so much, Juliet! So happy you enjoyed the stew peas.
Rachel says
Correction- cook on *HIGH* for 4 hours,
Tanya says
Hey Rachel, thanks for the feedback. We put coconut milk in ours growing up. My mom says it adds a nice flavor, but she knows some people who don't. So happy you liked the recipe.
Rachel says
Great recipe but I made some edits as growing up I don’t remember coconut milk being used in this recipe. I added chicken broth instead. I did stick with smoked turkey necks for a healthier choice. I also did in the slow cooker and made more on the medium spicy side. Here are my edited ingredients and instructions. Again wonderful recipe and Thanks for sharing🙏🏾
Ingredients:
1 lbs smoked turkey necks (or turkey tails, wings, ham hocks, etc)
2 cups dried kidney beans (soaked overnight in 20 cups of water covered and place in the fridge or two 15 oz canned beans, undrained*)
2 32oz Chicken broth (divided)
1 yellow onion (chopped)
3 green onions
1 teaspoon dried thyme or 2 springs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon Creole seasoning
15 oz can unsweetened coconut milk (omitted as not traditional)
3 cloves garlic (chopped)
1/2 scotch bonnet pepper (chopped) (can use the whole if you like really spicy)
1 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste - I omitted as already had scotch bonnet)
½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1 cup all-purpose flour
5-6 Tablespoons water
SLOW COOKER INSTRUCTIONS:
Add the smoked turkey to a pot of boiling chicken stock/water. Use enough stock/water (about 32 ounces) to submerge the turkey. Boil for 45 minutes to an hour to soften the turkey.
After soaking kidney beans, place beans and water in a large pot on the stove and boil for 10 minutes. Add this to the slow cooker along with the smoked turkey,
Sauté yellow onions, green onions, thyme, scotch bonnet pepper and garlic. Add beans and 3 cups of water the beans soaked in and 32oz chicken broth. Boil for 1 hour. Added the boiled turkey necks and any remaining stock from pot. Cook on low for 4 hours, adding the spinners during the last hour. Season with salt and black pepper before serving.
Again thanks 🙏🏾
Kim says
@Rachel,coconut milk has always been used in Jamaican stew peas and red peas soup.
tasia says
When I was growing up in Jamaica, I never seen people used coconut milk but I guess it depends on the person and what they have available.
Samone A. says
I’ve been following your recipes for some time now and I must say I’m never let down!!! I’ve recommended your recipes to family and friends. Thank you for sharing with us!!
Tanya says
Thanks Samone A. So happy you like the recipes.
Vanessa says
Hi, how do I alter the crock pot cooking instructions if my meat is not smoked?
Tanya says
Hey Vanessa, I'd suggest searing the meat and then adding the non smoked meat to the crockpot with the other ingredients. At low for 8 hours, it should be tender and cooked.
Michelle Wright says
Can’t find the peppers you suggest, would a jalapeño work for this?
Tanya says
Hi Michelle! They would.
Sam says
Have you ever made this without the meat, did you make any changes that way? I don’t eat meat but would like to try it. I’m wondering if a bit of Maggi seasoning or soy sauce would be a good idea?
Tanya says
Hi Sam, I haven't made it without meat, but if I had to, I would do similar seasonings as you suggested.
tasia says
You can make it with salted cod fish
Sandy says
I followed the recipe to the T. It came out sweet. I used canned beans and reduced the liquid. I don't know what happened. I have tried several of your recipes before and they were all great before this one. I could barely eat it.
Tanya says
Hi Sandy, I'm guessing you may have used sweetened coconut milk if yours is coming out sweet. I only use unsweetened coconut milk. I've updated the recipe to clarify that unsweetened coconut milk should be used.
Nikki says
I've just tried this recipe. Came out perfect. I added a little bit of garlic powder as well.
Tanya says
Thanks Nikki! So happy you liked the recipe 🙂
Yf says
Is it the same cooking time with canned kidney beans even thought they are already cooked? I’m planning to use smoked Turkey thigh and leg meat, so I’m thinking I can cut my cooking time a bit. What do you think?
Tanya says
Hi Yf, canned beans work but the benefit of the longer cook time is so the turkey meat can easily come off the bone. Reducing the cook time should work fine, I just can't ensure the meat will be tender and fall of the bone.
Susanne Jones says
I love 💕 Jamaican food.
David Hobbs says
I only had whole wheat flour. The dumplings came out heavy and chewy. Picked them out.
Tanya says
Hey David, all-purpose flour would work best. I should have indicated that in the blog post. However, whole wheat flour can be added to all-purpose flour, I just wouldn't use whole wheat by itself. My mom even started adding oats to her dumplings but I've yet to give those a try.
mykel says
I'm going to try this using stewing meat (beef).
Chloe says
@mykel, did you end up trying it with beef? Did it work?