Guyana Pepper Pot
Savor the bold, aromatic flavors of Guyana with this traditional Pepper Pot recipe—a rich and hearty meat stew that’s a centerpiece of Guyanese cuisine. Perfect for special occasions or festive gatherings, this dish features tender cuts of beef and pork simmered to perfection in cassareep, a unique, dark cassava syrup that lends a deep, slightly sweet, and smoky flavor. Infused with warm spices like cinnamon and cloves, and a fiery kick from wiri wiri or Scotch bonnet peppers, each bite is a true taste of the Caribbean. Slow-cooked for hours, the result is a flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth stew with a glossy, dark sauce that's perfect for sopping up with bread or pairing with rice. This iconic dish captures the essence of Guyanese cooking—rich, comforting, and utterly irresistible.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Beef (or a combination of beef and oxtail)
- 1 lb Pork (pork shoulder or trotters)
- 1 cup Cassareep (cassava extract)
- 6 cloves Garlic
- 1 Cinnamon stick
- 6 Clove
- 2 tbsp Brown sugar
- 2 Hot peppers (wiri wiri or scotch bonnet)
- 1 tbsp Thyme leaves
- 1 tsp Salt
- 6 cups Water
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
Instructions
Clean and trim the beef and pork, removing excess fat. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
Brown the beef and pork in batches, ensuring each piece develops a good sear. Set the browned meat aside.
To the same pot, add minced garlic, cinnamon stick, and cloves. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Return the browned meat to the pot. Pour in the cassareep and stir to coat the meat evenly.
Add the hot peppers, thyme, brown sugar, and salt to the pot.
Pour in the water, ensuring the meat is fully submerged. Bring to a boil over high heat.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover. Simmer gently for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally and skimming off any impurities that rise to the surface.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more cassareep or salt to deepen the flavor.
Once the meat is tender and infused with the rich, dark sauce, remove from heat.
Serve hot with bread or rice, ensuring each portion has plenty of the flavorful sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
707 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 48.8 g | 63% | |
| Saturated Fat | 17.9 g | 89% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 175 mg | 58% | |
| Sodium | 504 mg | 22% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 27.3 g | 10% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.1 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.4 g | ||
| Protein | 54.6 g | 109% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 105 mg | 8% | |
| Iron | 5.8 mg | 32% | |
| Potassium | 804 mg | 17% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
