An authentic Jamaican rice and peas (kidney beans) dish made with brown rice, creamy coconut milk, scallion, garlic, thyme and pimento berries . Learn all the tips and tricks behind making the best infamous side dish for a classic Caribbean Sunday dinner!
Jamaican rice and peas is one of the best rice dishes.
Interestingly enough, the dish itself derives from a Ghanaian cuisine called Waakye, where beans and rice are boiled together, omitting the condiments.
This recipe is an absolute staple within most households. In fact, not just Jamaicans, but the entire English Caribbean region indulges in this staple side dish..
What is Jamaican rice and peas?
Rice and peas is essentially a rice based dish made with legumes, you can use kidney beans or pigeon peas (known as gungo peas).
Typically dried legumes are used due to being so cost effective.
They are rinsed several times before being soaked in a saucepan overnight sometimes people add their scallion, onion, garlic and ginger (this is optional) during the soaking process while other do not.
Soaking the peas is a very important part of the process as the makes the peas cook quicker and this also attributes to that deep hue.
The next day, the water is boiled (some people rinse off the water and add a fresh batch) until tender.
Other ingredients such as butter (optional), scotch bonnet, freshly squeezed homemade coconut milk are added along with the rice and salt.
Once everything is added, the pot is left to simmer until cooked.
Other variations
There are other variations of this dish in Cuba it is called Moros y Cristianos where black beans are used instead along with pork, cumin and oregano for seasoning.
In Barbados it prepared very similar to Jamaica, albeit it is known as "Peas and rice" and in Guyana it is made with and referred to as "cook up rice".
In Costa Rico it is called "Gallo Pinto" and Puerto Rica and Dominican Republic know it as "Arroz Con Gandules".
As you can see, each Caribbean island has their own variation that is unique to their own.
Generally these rice dishes are served on a Sunday and form the main side dish for goat, beef, chicken and many lamb dishes.
Why is rice and peas so complicated to make?
Rice and peas isn't actually very difficult to make, however explaining it under strict guidelines is the hard part.
Like many Jamaicans, I grew making this without actually measuring anything. We would eyeball the quantity and assess and make changes along the way.
Unfortunately this is the reason why many people struggle to make recipes which are available online.
Rice and peas is very much a changeable recipe especially when made with dried peas.
A lot can change along the way, depending on how much water the peas soaked up, the time it takes to tenderise the peas, when the rice is added, how quick the rice is cooked, whether more liquid is needed or if excess water needs evaporating etc..
I have tried my absolute best to make this recipe as easy as possible and cannot empathise how important it is to double check your liquid levels.
Especially if you're not used to make rice and peas as that is the only way that you are likely to get it right the first time.
What do Jamaicans call it rice and peas?
The name rice and peas refers to the legumes and rice that is used in the recipe.
Long grain Basmati rice in particular is the most common and preferred type of rice to use for traditional rice and peas recipe.
Although times have changed and various types of rice are now used.
Jamaicans refer to most legumes are peas, so it makes sense as to why red kidney beans are known as peas.
Why are beans called peas?
I honestly don't know why we call them peas. All I know is that many legumes are referred to as peas.
Most people don't really question this, since this is normal terminology for Jamaicans and other Caribbean islands.
I find people who aren't from the islands, often challenge this the most, some with genuine curiosity while others many be culturally disrespectful and try to chastise.
Ingredients you need
- Dried kidney beans - Known as "peas" you can use these or gungo peas (pigeon peas). Most traditional recipes will call for dried peas and not canned ones.
- Brown rice - More specifically long grain Basmati, most Jamaican use white Basmati rice but I used brown rice for more nutritional value.
- Full fat coconut milk - Traditional rice and peas is made with freshly squeezed coconut milk which makes the rice taste a million times better. However, you can use coconut cream or coconut milk powder instead.
- Scallion/onion/garlic/ginger - The are quintessential foundation ingredients that simmer with the peas.
- Vegan butter - not crucial but I feel it gives the rice more flavour.
- Pimento berries/thyme/scotch bonnet - both provide more flavour although the scotch bonnet is used whole so the rice isn't spicy.
- Coconut cream - I like to add this to heighten the taste of coconut.
- Pink salt - the flavour!
The island tradition
Traditionally, you'll find most people from Caribbean backgrounds eating rice and peas on a Sunday, for dinner usually when church was officially over.
Sunday is the cultural norm, but you can eat this any day of the week!
Living in the diaspora has seen a change in eating habits with people from Caribbean lineage (mainly 2nd - 3rd generations) eating more western foods and shunning their traditional food.
Growing up for us, there was no arguing or debate for that matter, you'd eat what was prepared and be grateful.
We ALWAYS used dried kidney beans instead of canned beans because it was cost-effective and we weren't in a rush to cook.
We would also use fresh coconut milk by using a fresh coconut and grating it and combining with water to make milk. That's the proper way to make it!
In all, it took almost 2 days to cook the dish since we'd soak the peas overnight - stage 1 and follow up with boiling and simmering the pot the next day.
The steps
- Rinse off the kidney beans
- Soak them in the 4 ½ cups of water overnight along with the scallion, garlic, ginger, thyme, onion and pimento berries in a medium sized saucepan
- The next day, double check the water levels again. you should have 4 cups in total, if not add accordingly because the peas swell they absorb about ½ cup of the water.
- Bring the pot with the peas to a boil.
- Half cover the pot, reduce the heat and simmer on low for up to an hour (check the readiness of the peas, use your fingers, they should be easy to crush/soft) if not simmer for a further 15 minutes.
- Once cooked discard the piece of ginger and thyme stems
- Check your water levels, there should be 1 ½ cups of water left in the saucepan, you should be able to see the peas. Even if you need to drain off the water to make sure you have the amount of water stated. Do it! **this is very important*
- Add the scotch bonnet, dairy free butter, coconut milk, pink salt and rice to the pot.
- I also add a clump of creamed coconut too.
- Bring the pot to a boil then fold the rice in so everything is combined.
- Then cover the pot with saran wrap/foil (leaving a gap for air to escape then cover with the lid.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer for roughly 45 minutes (check and fold the rice half way through and nearer to the finish time (cover the rice back over the same way with the cling film. It should be soft and fluffy, if it still grainy add some of water/coconut that you have on standby and leave to simmer for another 5-10 minutes).
- Discard the scotch bonnet, and pimento berries (if possible) prior to serving
Can you use canned beans instead of dried kidney beans?
Yes, you can use canned beans! With that being said, the water levels will change, as I used quite a bit of water to compensate for the absorption levels of the peas and Brown rice.
Can you make pigeon peas and rice?
Jamaican pigeon peas and rice is also a very popular dish which is known as “Gungo Peas and Rice.” Just like this recipe, it is made with coconut milk.
If you want to try this recipe with pigeon peas instead of red kidney beans, you can simply replace them.
Can you make the rice and peas spicy?
Yes, you would need to burst or prick holes into the scotch bonnet for a more spicier taste.
Rice and peas with brown rice method
The brown rice gives a mild, nutty taste.
Its ability to expand and act as an internal sweeper is remarkable! This allows it to clean up waste and expel it from the body.
For some, however, the slow breaking down mechanism can cause digestive problems/sensitivities.
Therefore, I highly recommend sprouted grains, which are a good digestive friendly choice to use instead.
Is it possible to make Jamaican rice and peas without coconut milk?
Yes, you can omit the use of coconut milk if you want BUT...this wouldn't be in line with the traditional way of making it.
Coconut milk is an essential ingredient for authenticity. Some people use a block of coconut cream instead, but if coconut, in general, is a problem, then you may make it with vegetable broth or chicken stock.
There's is no substitute for coconut milk that will yield the same results.
Why does the overall dish look so pale?
I see so many recipes that misrepresent Caribbean/Jamaican rice and peas with a pale or washed out look.
The reason for this is because SO many people throw away the water that is used to soak the "peas".
I personally am against that because I don't believe you get that true deep hue plus growing up my mother and grandmother didn't do this .
To me the water that is used to soaked the peas is like liquid gold and an important aspect of the cooking process.
Why did the rice turn out soft and/or mushy?
Two reasons why this might have occurred:
- You over stirred the rice during cooking
- You used too much water or added too much water to the pot
Simply remedy soft rice by leaving the pot to cook away on the stove uncovered so the excess moisture evaporates or transfer the rice into an ovenproof dish and bake off the additional water.
If you do find yourself having to add more water, ALWAYS add a little at a time.
Notes and tips
- As it is very difficult to give strict instructions for making rice and peas, please use this recipe as a general guideline.
- Feel free to use my Instant Pot Rice and Peas recipe instead.
- Is your rice mushy/ undercooked? Check out my How to Fix Rice guide.
- For best results, use fresh coconut milk, if possible NOT canned.
- The beans will need to soak overnight to soften and exude a dark hue - rinse the peas several times prior to soaking. Overall, this may seem challenging for a novice BUT it's really not that difficult once you master the ratio of water or dried goods. It took me a while to do so myself namely because the women in my family used white rice which you know is processed and has no place on my blog.
- The colour of the rice will vary from light beige/dark brown this is normal
- Make pigeon peas and rice by using an equal amount of pigeon peas instead of the red kidney beans.
- Do not throw the bean soaking water away. That water is like liquid gold to your recipe, you need it for colour and it will prevent your rice and beans from looking so pale.
- This recipe is strictly for BROWN BASMATI RICE only NOT white rice.
- Use coconut cream instead of coconut milk. There's is no substitute for coconut milk that will yield the same results.
- If brown rice is hard on your digestion, use sprouted grains!These are easily digested in the body and still provide that good-for-you fibre!
- The whole scotch bonnet pepper is optional but authentic! The pepper lends a fruity without intense heat because the seeds and ribs are not exposed.
Serving suggestions
- Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken
- Brown Stew Turkey Neck
- Caribbean Coconut Curry Salmon
- Oxtail Stew
- Slow Cooker Curry Goat
- Jamaican Fried Chicken
- Nutmeg Chicken
- Jamaican Curry Chicken
- Caribbean Stewed Fish
- Brown Stew Fish
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Vegan Jamaican Rice and Peas
Ingredients
- 1 cup red kidney beans (177g)(dried) peas
- 4½ cups water (1.06 litres)
- 1 medium onion sliced
- 3 garlic cloves chopped
- 2 scallions sliced
- 1 cup homemade fresh coconut milk (236ml)(use full fat canned instead)
- 2 cups basmati brown rice (380g) rinsed
- 6 sprigs of thyme or 1 tablespoon dried
- 1 scotch bonnet optional
- 1 tablespoon dairy free butter (14g)
- ¼-⅓ creamed coconut (0.25g) chopped, also known as coconut butter/manna
- 1 1-inch of ginger peeled
- 6 pimento berries optional
- 1-2 teaspoon pink salt (6g) or to taste
- have ½ cup of water or coconut milk on standby
Instructions
- Rinse off the kidney beans.
- Soak them in the 4½ cups of water overnight along with the scallion, garlic, ginger, thyme, onion and pimento berries in a medium sized saucepan
- The next day, double check the water levels again. you should have 4 cups in total, if not add accordingly because the peas swell they absorb about ½ cup of the water.
- Bring the pot with the peas to a boil.
- Half cover the pot, reduce the heat and simmer on low for an hour (check the readiness of the peas, use your fingers, they should be easy to crush/soft) if not simmer for a further 15 minutes.
- Once cooked discard the piece of ginger and thyme stems
- Check your water levels, there should be 1½ cups of water left in the saucepan, you should be able to see the peas. Even if you need to drain off the water to make sure you have the amount of water stated. Do it! **this is very important*
- Add the scotch bonnet, dairy free butter, coconut milk, pink salt and rice to the pot.
- I also add a clump of creamed coconut too.
- Bring the pot to a boil then fold the rice in so everything is combined.
- Then cover the pot with saran wrap/foil (leaving a gap for air to escape then cover with the lid
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer for roughly 45 minutes (check and fold the rice half way through and nearer to the finish time (cover the rice back over the same way with the cling film. It should be soft and fluffy, if it still grainy add some of water/coconut that you have on standby and leave to simmer for another 5-10 minutes).
- Discard the scotch bonnet, and pimento berries (if possible) prior to serving
Notes
- As it is very difficult to give strict instructions for making rice and peas, please use this recipe as a general guideline.
- Feel free to use my Instant Pot Rice and Peas recipe instead.
- Is your rice mushy/ undercooked? Check out my How to Fix Rice guide.
- For best results, use fresh coconut milk, if possible NOT canned.
- The beans will need to soak overnight to soften and exude a dark hue - rinse the peas several times prior to soaking. Overall, this may seem challenging for a novice BUT it's really not that difficult once you master the ratio of water or dried goods. It took me a while to do so myself namely because the women in my family used white rice which you know is processed and has no place on my blog.
- The colour of the rice will vary from light beige/dark brown this is normal
- Make pigeon peas and rice by using an equal amount of pigeon peas instead of the red kidney beans.
- Do not throw the bean soaking water away. That water is like liquid gold to your recipe, you need it for colour and it will prevent your rice and beans from looking so pale.
- This recipe is strictly for BROWN BASMATI RICE only NOT white rice.
- Use coconut cream instead of coconut milk. There's is no substitute for coconut milk that will yield the same results.
- If brown rice is hard on your digestion, use sprouted grains!These are easily digested in the body and still provide that good-for-you fibre!
- The whole scotch bonnet pepper is optional but authentic! The pepper lends a fruity without intense heat because the seeds and ribs are not exposed.
Michelle Lee-McGinnis
OMG!!!! Truly authentic Jamaican flavors. Thank you so very much. I had to triple this recipe as I’m bringing it to a big family reunion tomorrow. Can the rice and peas stay on the stove overnight?
Charla
Hi Michelle, glad you liked the recipe. Yes, the rice and peas can stay on the stove overnight. I often do this whenever I'm bringing a batch to family get together. Hope you have a great time and thanks for the positive feedback 🙂
Safira
One of my all time favourite recipes. This was delicious and loved by all! THANK YOU!
Charla
You are welcome Safira
Mahy
I've got to try this recipe because I've heard many great things about it. Definitely a fantastic meal to make over the weekend!
Charla
Thanks Mahy, please do! I promise you will enjoy it.
Roberta
Dear Charla, Firstly I want to give you a huge "thank you" and virtual hug for putting up this recipe that will allow me to reclaim my Caribbean heritage and cooking cuisine culture. As you know, this recipe is a staple in all Caribbean cuisines. I am from the Cayman Islands and the recipe is the same but we call it "Rice and Beans". I would also like to request you create a pressure cooker version of the recipe that would allow me to cook this a lot faster and add all the ingredients and quantities at once at the beginning. I knew a lady in the islands who used to do her Rice and Beans in a pressure cooker and they came out delicious. But I'm sure you know how it is when you ask most Caribbean people about measurements and quantities... They can't tell you how much because they 'eye-ball' it! That method of cooking is really unfortunate because it means a future generation of cooks would be unable to replicate the recipes unless they did an apprenticeship in cooking. Truly, measured quantities and written records and recipes is the only way to go to truly preserve our cooking culture.
Charla
Thank you Roberta, and please accept this virtual hug right back at you. It's people like yourself and comments like these that really encourage me to continue on this path of Caribbean cooking. Yes I will definitely consider doing a pressure cooker version of this recipe as well. One of the most difficult aspect of food blogging is measuring, as you already mentioned, this isn't something that is traditional in our culture but as a food blogger measuring is so crucial for perfecting the recipe each and every time. Thanks once again for the love and support, it means a lot to me!
Roberta
Thank you too, Charla! Please keep up the excellent work and service you are providing. 🙂
Charla
Thank you!
Caitlyn Erhardt
This rice was the perfect side dish to our grilled chicken. Thanks for a wonderful recipe.
Charla
You are so welcome Caitlyn
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
My mouth is watering, I absolutely love rice and peas and this looks so good!
Charla
Thanks Bintu. I hope you are a huge fan of Jamaican food.
veenaazmanov
Love the combination of ingredients to making this delicious Jamaican Rice. Looks like a One Pot Meal too. Delicious.
Charla
Thank you!
Erin
Really good flavour, and easy to make
Charla
Thank you Erin
Amanda
Hello, how may portions does this serve ?
Charla
Hi Amanda. serves roughly 6 people. Enjoy!
Shakia
Hey I plan to attempt to make this rice sometime next week and I was wondering what brand of brown rice do you use and if you’ve ever used canned coconut milk what brand is best
Charla
Hi Shakia. I don't recall what brand of brown rice I use as I store what I have in a large container which lasts for months. In terms of coconut milk I'm a huge fan of biona full fat coconut milk.
AJ
Been trying to make authentic tasting rice n pea at home for ages - but always end up with a tasty, but always sticky and gloopy rice. This is the first rice I made which has stayed fluffy and light and delicious so thank you!
Charla
Aww I'm so glad you liked the recipe AJ. Thank you so much for the feedback!!
Arpita
Hi Charla, thanks for sharing this recipe ☺ will definitely try this out. In north India we also serve red kidney beans with rice (rajma chawal) - a staple. But adding coconut milk is a wonderful new twist to this staple! Looking forward to making this.
Charla
Thanks Arpita. I hope you enjoy the recipe and let me know if you need any further assistance.
Ingrid
What are pimento balls? Are they pimento cheese balls?
Charla
Pimento berries is another term for allspice. It's a spice with a flavour and aroma consisting of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon and pepper combined into one.It's not a key ingredient but it does add a hint of warm flavour.
Russell Williams
So when I made this dish I followed the recipe but still ended up with a mushy result like when I have tried rice and peas in the past. I think the problem was the pea liquid did not reduce by anywhere close to half like in the recipe. I'm wondering what I may be doing wrong that I am not getting that fluffy delicious looking rice like in your picture lol?
Russell Williams
For the record the flavour is amazing! Just want to perfect the texture before making it for others 🙂
Charla
Hi Russell. Sorry to learn that the texture wasn't as per picture. I have made this recipe many times with you problems. I would suggest next time scaling back on the cups of water in the initial stages, so eliminate 2 cups to begin with while the peas are boiling. When you it comes to adding the rice, coconut milk etc... let the everything cook and if it seems dry then add 1/4 cup until it's fluffy.
Let me know if you could like me to assist you further
Ceil
Happy New Year, Charla!
As promised, I made the rice and peas recipe for my New Year's dinner (along with the stewed chicken).
It took all day for the peas to cook (actually 2 hours), but it was well worth the effort. Your recipe is soo
much more tastier than the quick canned red kidney beans version. Thanks heaps for sharing! 🙂
Charla
Glad you enjoyed the recipe. The dried kidney beans are soooo much more tastier aren't they?
Traci
Hi Charla,
I'm very excited to try ur recipe of rice & peas. My husband loves loves Jamaican food and unfortunately I don't cook it, aside from coconut rice & beans, which he enjoys every much. I will follow recipe to the T & let u know how it goes.
Thanks again ?
Charla
Hi Traci. Oh awesome, please let me know if you need any assistance with the recipe. I'm currently working on the manuscript for my book which I'm hoping to release summer 2017. I haven't confirmed the name of the book as of yet but please make sure to follow me via social media to stay up to date with recipes, new releases.
FRENA ROBINSON-HOPE
Hello Charla my name is Fre'na and me and my husband loves Jamaican food how can I want to learn how to make curry oxtail where can I find your recipe so and cabbage to
Charla
Hi Fre'na. I'm glad that you like Jamaican food. I do have a recipe for oxtail and cabbage on my website
Yolanda Cole
O my God. I am so excited. Hi my name is Yolanda. I have a 96 yr old client who asked if I would incorporate Jamaican dishes once a week. I had such a great time with her today looking up different recipes. This is one of her request. Alson Curry Goat and Ceviche dish. Do you have any recipes for those as well?
Charla
Hi there, I'm glad to be of assistance to you and your client. feel free to browse my recipes and don't be afraid to ask for help.
Amy
Hey hun.
Thanks for the recipe it sounds amazing and i LOVE rice and pea!
Just a quick question though..... After soaking overnight... I take it we should throw away the water and use fresh BUT do the 'peas' need to be rinsed again? Sorry if this is a silly question. X
Charla
Hi Amy, There's no such thing as a silly question. I'm here to help and offer you any clarity. You need to retain the water that you soak the peas in overnight. Do not discard the water as this this required to give rice (once cooked) that red hue that you see in rice and peas. What you need to do is rinse the peas several times prior to finally soaking overnight. Rinsing before soaking will thoroghly remove any particles and/or debris. I hope that makes sense and feel free to message me again if you have anymore questions.
Dunori
I'm a strong advocate for dry beans instead of canned also. I was remarking on another blog (uncommon Caribbean) just the other day about some of this topic - that it's interesting that each country in the tropics has their own twist on rice & peas; I'm partial to pelau, but will try making this Jamaican version one day.
Charla
I hope you do give this a try one day, I'm sure you will like it and yes dried legumes are far more cost effective in the long haul. I cannot wait to try out paleu rice, watch this space!