Quick Jamaican Rice and Peas
Bring the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean to your table with this Quick Jamaican Rice and Peas recipe. Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pot dish marries fragrant long-grain white rice with creamy coconut milk, savory garlic, and aromatic thyme. Canned red kidney beans streamline prep time without sacrificing authenticity, while a touch of ground allspice and the optional Scotch bonnet pepper add layers of spice and heat. Ready in just 40 minutes, this easy rice and peas recipe is a hearty and flavorful side dish that pairs beautifully with jerk chicken, grilled fish, or hearty stews. Whether you're craving the essence of Jamaican cuisine or need a reliable crowd-pleaser, this quick yet authentic version is sure to transport you straight to the tropics.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 15 oz (1 can, drained and rinsed) canned red kidney beans
- 1.5 cups long-grain white rice
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
- 1.5 cups water
- 2 stalks (chopped) scallions
- 2 cloves (minced) garlic
- 1 teaspoon (or 3-4 sprigs) fresh thyme
- 0.5 teaspoon (ground) allspice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (whole, optional for added heat) scotch bonnet pepper
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, combine the coconut milk, water, salt, black pepper, garlic, ground allspice, and thyme. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
Stir in the rinsed kidney beans and chopped scallions. Cook for 2-3 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
Add the rice, stirring gently to distribute it evenly in the liquid. Ensure the liquid covers the rice fully; add a splash of water if needed.
Carefully place the whole Scotch bonnet pepper on top of the rice mixture without breaking it (optional for heat).
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan tightly with a lid and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
Remove the Scotch bonnet pepper without breaking it. Gently fluff the rice with a fork to combine all ingredients evenly.
Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve hot as a side dish or with your favorite Jamaican entrée.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1466 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 7.3 g | 9% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.8 g | 9% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 5400 mg | 235% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 267.8 g | 97% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 75.2 g | 269% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.3 g | ||
| Protein | 88.0 g | 176% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 521 mg | 40% | |
| Iron | 25.7 mg | 143% | |
| Potassium | 4991 mg | 106% | |
*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.
