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Stew Peas

A traditional Jamaican dish — Stew Peas is a soulful pot of red kidney beans simmered for hours with salted pig’s tail, coconut milk and thyme until the liquid turns into a rich, glossy gravy.

⏱ 20 minPrep time
🔥 120 minCook time
🍽 6Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
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Stew Peas - Jamaïcain recipe

A traditional Jamaican dish — Stew Peas is a soulful pot of red kidney beans simmered for hours with salted pig’s tail, coconut milk and thyme until the liquid turns into a rich, glossy gravy. Spinners, small rolled dumplings, bob in the pot and soak up every drop. It is the definitive one-pot Jamaican comfort food, often served over white rice.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Put the soaked beans and pig's tail in a large pot with the water, bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 1½ hours, until the beans are tender.
  2. Stir in the coconut milk, onion, scallions, garlic, thyme, pimento berries, salt and the whole scotch bonnet.
  3. Mix the flour with the cold water into a firm dough, then roll small pieces between your palms into spinners.
  4. Drop the spinners into the pot and simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring now and then, until the gravy is thick and the spinners are cooked.
  5. Remove the scotch bonnet and thyme stalks, taste for salt, and serve over white rice.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Do not rush the beans — the long simmer builds the gravy's body and draws out the pig's tail flavor. Some cooks add a sliced carrot or green banana for extra heartiness.

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Recipe details

Prep20 min
Cook120 min
Servings6
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →