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Jamaican rice and peas with coconut, red kidney beans, thyme, scallions, and jerk-seasoned chicken on a plate.

Jamaican Rice and Peas

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Fluffy Jamaican rice simmered with coconut milk, red kidney beans, thyme, scallions, garlic, and warm Caribbean spices.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Jamaican
Calories: 360
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
 
 

Rice and Peas
  • 2 cups long-grain white rice rinsed until the water runs mostly clear
  • 15 oz red kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
  • 1 1/2 cups water or bean cooking liquid
  • 3 large scallions crushed with the side of a knife
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 cloves garlic smashed
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
  • 1 large Scotch bonnet pepper left whole for gentle heat
  • 1 tsp allspice ground
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil

Equipment

  • Heavy saucepan with lid
  • Fine-mesh strainer
  • Wooden spoon
  • Fork

Method
 

Build the broth:
  1. Heat the oil in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Cook the onion for 3 minutes until softened.
  2. Add the coconut milk, water, beans, scallions, thyme, garlic, Scotch bonnet, allspice, and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a gentle simmer.
Cook the rice:
  1. Stir in the rinsed rice and return the mixture to a simmer.
  2. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 20 minutes without lifting the lid.
  3. Turn off the heat and let the pot stand, covered, for 10 minutes so the steam can finish the grains.
Finish:
  1. Remove the thyme, garlic, scallions, and whole Scotch bonnet.
  2. Fluff the rice gently with a fork, taste for salt, and serve hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 360kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 9gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 430mgFiber: 7gSugar: 3g

Notes

  • For a milder dish, keep the Scotch bonnet whole and remove it before serving.
  • Do not stir the rice repeatedly while it cooks, or the grains may become sticky.
  • Canned pigeon peas can be used in place of kidney beans for another Jamaican-style variation.