This hearty beef stew features classic Jamaican ingredients that make it spicy, rich, and bold.

Many beef stews include carrots and potatoes and this ones no different.

Use this recipe as a guide and adjust the heat and the spice to your liking.

Two Bowls of Jamaican Beef Stew (One Served With Rice and Just a Bowl of Beef Stew) on a Blue and White Kitchen Towel Next to a Dutch Oven With More Stew

Simply Recipes / Kalisa Marie Martin

Burnt Sugar for the Win

Another signature of Jamaican beef stew is the deep, rich color.

This is sometimes achieved via the addition ofbrowning sauce.

This will result in the color and depth of flavor we want.

Spicy Beef Stew in a dutch oven.

Kalisa Marie Martin

Scotch bonnets are a staple Jamaican hot pepper but not always easy to find in the US.

Habanero peppers are a good swap.

Speaking of heat, this recipe also calls for hot sauce.

One bowl of Jamaican Beef Stew.

Kalisa Marie Martin

Any vinegar-based hot sauce will work here or you could try thisScotch bonnet hot sauce.

If you dont have any hot sauce or dont love spicy food, just skip it!

Garnish with chopped scallions.

Jamaican Stewed Beef in two bowls and served with rice.

Kalisa Marie Martin

Simple Tip!

More potatoes, or dumplings (aka spinners), or even another grain likequinoa.

You could also offset the richness with something fresh like a salad or steamed vegetables.

A mixing bowl with ingredients to make Jamaican Beef Stew.

Kalisa Marie Martin

A Tip for Freezing and Reheating

This stew freezes very well.

When youre ready to enjoy the soup, thaw it and resume the cooking process at step 5.

When using store bought stock, I prefer to use chicken stock in this stew.

Mixing beef and ingredients in a bowl to make Jamaican Stewed Beef.

Kalisa Marie Martin

If you make your own beef stock then feel free to use that instead.

Combine with your hands to thoroughly coat the meat in the marinade.

Cover and refrigerate one hour and up to overnight.

Beef in the bottom of the dutch oven to make a Jamaican Stewed Beef Recipe.

Kalisa Marie Martin

Set a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

You will use it later.

You want to do this in batches so you’re free to get a good sear.

Seared beef in a dutch oven to make Spicy Beef Stew.

Kalisa Marie Martin

If you overcrowd the pan the beef wont brown properly.

This is the color we want.

As long as you dont have an unappetizing burnt smell, youre still in good shape.

Sauce and aromatics sauteed in the bottom of a dutch oven to make Jamaican Stewed Beef.

Kalisa Marie Martin

If it looks like its turning almost black, reduce your heat.

Once all of the beef has browned, add the marinade to the pot and turn off the heat.

Turn the burner on to medium heat and bring the stew to a simmer.

Sauteed ingredients for Jamaican Beef Stew.

Kalisa Marie Martin

Once the beef is tender, remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs.

Add the carrots and potatoes, stir well.

Add the remaining scallion, red pepper, and onion and cook uncovered for 5-10 minutes or until tender.

Broth added to the beef to make a Jamaican Stewed Beef Recipe.

Kalisa Marie Martin

This will give the stew body.

Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper.

Garnish with additional chopped scallions and serve alone or over rice.

Spicy Beef Stew cooking in a dutch oven.

Kalisa Marie Martin

This stew tastes even better the next day!

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Vegetables added to Jamaican Stewed Beef cooking in a dutch oven.

Kalisa Marie Martin

A wooden spoon holding softened vegetables cooked in Spicy Beef Stew.

Kalisa Marie Martin

Fresh ingredients sliced on a cutting board for a Jamaican Stewed Beef Recipe.

Kalisa Marie Martin

Sliced vegetables added to the pot for Jamaican Stewed Beef.

Kalisa Marie Martin

Jamaican Beef Stew cooking in a dutch oven.

Kalisa Marie Martin