Delicious Authentic Jamaican Rice and Peas Recipe

This Delicious Authentic Jamaican Rice and Peas Recipe is made with fresh coconut milk, allspice, scallions and more! This rice and peas is the best hands down and will make you feel like you are in the Caribbean! 

Rice and Peas is a STAPLE in my home and it has been for since I could chew food. Growing up in a Jamaican home rice and peas was made every single day. My mom, my aunts, and my grandmother would make it for me and I enjoyed every bite.

Last year when I attended my cousin’s wedding in Poughkeepsie, I realized that my generation of kids have been spoiled tremendously by our big family and army of talented cooks that came before us.

My cousins and I (all 5200 of us) got together and realized that we will NEED to continue this amazing authentic Jamaican family cooking for our own children, or the culture will die with us.

Being the first generation to be American born, we are so used to being spoiled by our parents and aunts and uncles that were taught to cook by their parents in the islands.

It is so interesting having to marry the two cultures together, but cooking authentic caribbean recipes is a fantastic way to keep the culture alive in our own families going forward. We all made a vow to learn our culture’s recipes and learn them WELL so that we can pass them on to our own children.

Why do Jamaicans say rice and peas?

Rice and peas is a dish that can be found in many Caribbean countries. The dish is made with rice and red kidney beans. The beans are usually cooked with bacon, herbs, and spices.

There are several different theories about why the dish is called rice and peas. One theory is that the dish was created by people who were living in slavery. They would mix the rice and beans together because they were not allowed to have meat.

Another theory is that the name of the dish comes from the fact that the beans look like peas. Rice and peas is a popular dish in Jamaica and it is often served at special occasions such as weddings and funerals.

Cooking Authentic Caribbean Cuisine

For a while now I’ve been trying different recipes from all over the internet. I’ve even tried Youtube! I love Pinterest but there are SO MANY “authentic” Jamaican and caribbean rice recipes out there that its hard to decipher which ones are awesome and which ones…are not so good.

It’s a crazy popular dish and for good reason!

What is Jamaican rice and peas made of?

Jamaican rice and peas is made of rice, red beans, coconut milk, onions, garlic, thyme, and Scotch bonnet peppers. Scotch bonnet peppers are a type of chili pepper that is very spicy.

How Do You Cook Like A Jamaican?

Well, this is a magical question. Even after growing up in this culture, I didn’t really learn until I got much older! I am learning though that seasoning is key.

A lot of the Jamaican cuisine, especially meats, require complex seasonings that usually marinate for a long period of time.

You will notice that a lot of Jamaican food recipes require the baseline of scotch bonnet pepper, fresh thyme, onion, garlic cloves and scallions (green onions). There could be more or less but those spices are a really great place to start when it comes to main dishes. Don’t forget the salt and pepper!

Which ethnic group brought rice and peas to the Caribbean?

The African slaves who were brought to the Caribbean by the Europeans were the ones who introduced rice and peas to the region. This dish is now a staple in many Caribbean homes, and is often served with stew chicken or fish.

Where did rice and peas originate?

Rice and peas is a dish that originated in Africa. It is made with rice, black-eyed peas, and a variety of spices.

Why is rice and peas so popular in the Caribbean?

Rice and peas is popular in the Caribbean because it is a filling and hearty dish that can be served with a variety of different proteins. Additionally, the dish is full of flavor and can be made in a variety of different ways.

Why is my rice and peas soggy?

There are a few reasons why your rice and peas might be soggy. First, make sure you are using the correct ratio of rice to water. Second, cook the rice on low heat so that it has a chance to absorb all of the water. Finally, let the dish sit for a few minutes before serving so that the flavors can meld together.

Do peas and rice make a complete protein?

Peas and rice do not make a complete protein on their own, but they are often eaten together in many parts of the world. When combined, they do provide all of the essential amino acids that our bodies need.

What peppers do you need for Jamaican Rice and Peas?

For this Jamaican rice and peas, also known as Jamaican pigeon peas you will need a whole scotch bonnet pepper, thyme springs and a few cloves of garlic.

Some people may not be able to locate hot peppers so they have been using habanero pepper instead. I don’t use any black pepper in this recipe, but you can add a little if you want your rice to have a little heat. The scotch bonnet whole pepper is added for flavor only.

Some people use brown rice or basmati rice but I am a big fan of using jasmine rice in my red beans and rice recipes. I’ve seen some recipes use chicken stock instead of cups of water. For this recipe you need to make sure that you use enough water, because it won’t cook enough without the right amount of water.

The thyme sprigs are super important for flavor as well. The first time you make this rice and beans recipe it will become one of your favorite dishes! Most people serve with Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken or Jamaican Jerk Chicken.

If you are looking for Jamaican recipes, you have come to the right place. It’s mom’s recipe and you won’t need an instant pot of pressure cooker.

Are rice and peas healthy?

Yes, rice and peas are healthy. They are a good source of protein, fiber, and vitamins B6 and C. They are also low in fat and calories.

Authentic Jamaican Rice and Peas Recipe

Don’t worry though, I’ve done all the leg work and have finally perfected one of the foundational pieces of any Jamaican dish.

If you ask me, Authentic Jamaican Rice and Peas is an awesome and flavorful side dish that goes with pretty much any main dish such as curry goat, curry chicken, Jamaican Jerk Chicken, oxtail–you name it! It’s the perfect side dish. You could even serve with additional side dishes like this Easy Jamaican Rasta Pasta or these Air Fryer Sweet Fried Plantains.

It’s even good on it’s own. With so many different ways to cook rice and peas, I am happy that I finally hit the jackpot with the right ingredients and the right type of rice.

Caribbean food is not easy but once you nail it, it’s so worth it! You will never stop making this recipe, since I posted this in 2015 I have received so many comments and DMs about how this is a GO TO recipe!

Do Jamaicans say peas and rice?

The answer to this question is a little complicated. In Jamaica, the dish is usually called rice and peas. However, in other parts of the Caribbean, the dish is often called peas and rice.

So, it really depends on where you are from. Some people might say that both versions are correct, while others might say that only one version is correct.

What type of rice should I use?

Some people like to use long grain rice, and some folks like pigeon peas or gungo peas in their rice and peas. (This recipe uses dry peas — dark red kidney beans) Some people even use full allspice berries instead of the allspice seasoning that I love.

To be honest, I’ve tasted so many different versions of rice and beans that I have lost count. This rice dish is definitely my favorite and I’m so excited to share this recipe with you today.

Types of Rice Used In Jamaican Rice and Peas

Before I found this money recipe I tried a bunch and they were epic fails. This recipe is my new go to, but it took me a smooth 5-6 recipes before I finally found a winner with this one.

My favorite type of rice in general is Carolina long-grain white rice. My mom and most of my family are fans of using basmati rice for their rice and peas which has a richer flavor. It can be debated though what people think the “traditional rice” is for Jamaican rice and peas.

I absolutely love to use Jasmine rice though because it has a fantastic flavor and although it is a bit sticky it’s not annoyingly so.

How Long Should The Peas Be Soaked?

A lot of you have asked whether or not you can used canned peas for this recipe. I DO NOT recommend it unless you like your rice really wet. Take the time to soak the peas.

The extra water content from the can throws off the recipe. Between the water and the coconut milk addition, the extra water content makes the rice really soupy. 

Which ingredients are needed for these Jamaican Rice and Beans?

Ingredients List:

1/2 cup dark red kidney beans (dry) – Getting the dark red kidney beans help with the color of the rice.
1 1/2 cups coconut milk – I like the Grace or Goya brand the best. Be sure to shake the can as the coconut can settle and separate in the can.
1 scotch bonnet pepper – If you can’t find this in your area, you can substitute with a jalapeno pepper, but the scotch bonnet is the best! Do not cut the pepper or poke any holes into the pepper.
1 onion – You will dice this onion.
3 garlic cloves – Fresh garlic is best, don’t use minced garlic.
1 teaspoon salt
3 sprigs thyme – Sometimes I add a little more.
2 cups Jasmine rice – I like the Goya brand.
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice – Very important ingredient to add the amazing flavor.
3 scallions – I use the entire scallion, only chopping off the stubs.
2 cups water

I highly recommend dry peas. I usually soak it in the same pot that I plan on cooking the rice in. If not available you can easily soak the peas in a bowl at room temperature.

I usually soak my peas for 5-6 hours with a MAX of 20 hours. Overnight is a great sweet spot. The more you soak the less longer you have to wait to make the peas cook down to where it’s soft enough.

Generally soak the peas for a minimum of 2 hours and a maximum of 2O hours. Anything over a day might mess with the integrity of the peas.

Keep in mind the longer you soak the peas the less time it takes to cook, and the more “red” color gets added to your rice and peas. I don’t know about anyone else but I generally judge the authenticity of Jamaican rice and peas by the color of the rice!

The color of the peas colors the water and you use the same water to cook the peas in and eventually, the rice.

Do you cook the rice covered or uncovered?

This is a really good question! The answer is both. While you are cooking your peas, adding spices, and coconut milk, I leave it uncovered. When I add the rice and mix everything in, I cover the pot so it can cook like regular rice.

I generally like to leave my rice covered and cooking but this particular recipe calls for constant stirring to make sure nothing burns on the bottom of the pot.

How To Store Rice and Peas

Once I got the hang of this rice and peas recipe it was super easy to make it for my family. The rice stores in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and it freezes perfectly.

If you do freeze, I recommend to let the rice thaw out naturally and slowly in the refrigerator, but if you don’t have the time, you can thaw in the microwave too, it might be a bit soggy though.

Be Careful With The Scotch Bonnet Pepper

The scotch bonnet pepper is not to be played with at all! For this recipe you need to use the whole scotch bonnet–do not slice it, poke it, nothing.

You will be adding the hot pepper to the uncooked rice to give a ton of flavor to the rice. Don’t worry, you remove the entire whole scotch bonnet pepper half way through the process.

The scotch bonnet pepper adds a fantastic flavor to the rice as a whole without any of the heat. Trust me, you don’t want any of the inside–it’s a super powerful pepper!

What are some other amazing authentic Jamaican Recipes to Try?

• Authentic Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe
• The Best Authentic Jamaican Jerk Chicken Recipe
• Easy Authentic Jamaican Stew Chicken
• The Best Jamaican Jerk Sauce Recipe
• The Best Jamaican Rasta Pasta Recipe – Add Your Favorite Protein!
• Air Fryer Sweet Fried Plantains – Healthy Twist On A Classic Dish

Enjoy! Be sure to let me know in the comments how it turned out!

(Updated September 2022)

Stay tuned, I’ve got some more authentic Jamaican recipes that I’m going to be sharing with you guys over the next few weeks!

For more recipes check out:

20 Minute Easy Weeknight Penne Rosa Pasta Recipe

Fresh Homemade Cheesy Beef A Roni Recipe

Delicious Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables

The Best Jamaican Rasta Pasta Recipe – Add Your Favorite Protein!

Have you ever had Jamaican rice and peas? What classic recipes have you learned from your parents?