Slow cooker Jamaican Beef Stew -Rich and exciting, beautifully tender cooked low and slow for hours! One pot meal Loaded with vegetables ! Warm, comforting and hearty.
This slow cooker Jamaican beef stew will have you doing the happy dance.And get out your cool moves. It sure does that for me. Doing the dance with a spoon in my mouth. Boy oh Boy what can I say…
Melding Jamaican flavors in one pot infused with beef and vegetables yields an OUTSTANDING result. The stew is so hearty, comforting and oh so delicious.Yes, I use that word too often but it is.
We have all had beef stew-right? Any good beef stew has tender beef and root vegetables cooked in liquid to form a gravy but all those elements are taken to new heights with this recipe. And you still get your gravy without flour.
Every element here is highlighted with Jamaican seasonings including scotch bonnet for some heat, allspice, (pimento), carrots for some sweet notes , garlic, ginger and of course some thyme to round out the bold flavors.
For many, making delicious food at home is too much of a task due to busy schedules but since this recipe uses a slow cooker, all you have to do is set it and forget it for hours. This means you start the stew in the morning and dinner will be ready for you when you get home minus the effort.
Along with convenience, there are quite a few benefits of using a slow cooker to make this Jamaican stew. For starters, slow cookers transform inexpensive cuts of beef into fall apart tender meat. Additionally, slow cooking promotes absorption of all the spices resulting in fuller, more robust flavors with more depth. As a plus, cooking foods on low heat for an extended time destroys fewer nutrients.
Gather all the ingredients and give this recipe a try. When it is ready, just sit down and savor the stew.
It is sure to be one of your favorite suppers and the leftovers are even better.
Enjoy!!!
Tips and Notes for Making Stew Beef
- To make this completely paleo leave out white potatoes and go with sweet potatoes instead. Or better yet use plantains. Be sure to cut them in big chunks so they do not get all mushy when done. Same with the carrots and other vegetables. Didn’t have enough potatoes so I include un-ripe or green plantains as well. Ripe plantains do not work well here
- Don’t waste your money on expensive cuts of meat. Go with the tougher and cheaper cuts of like chuck, leg shanks, bottom round. It benefits from long hours of cooking- collagen breaks down leaving the meat fork tender and infused with the flavors from the stew. Can’t be beat.
- As always 10 minutes of browning and sautéing beef, vegetables and spices yields maximum amount of flavor. You don’t have to but it is advisable. Yields maximum amount of flavor.
- If you want to get an extra touch of sweetness then add 1 Tablespoon of brown sugar.
Slow Cooker Jamaican Beef Stew
Ingredients
- 2 pounds stew beef (cut in small chunks)
- ¼ cup canola oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2-3 green onions, diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons ginger, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1 small bell pepper, diced
- 2 bay leaves
- Scotch bonnet pepper (or 1 teaspoon hot sauce)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon bouillon powder, beef, chicken, or vegetable (optional, adjust to taste)
- 2 cups broth (or water) more as needed
- 2-3 large carrots, cut in large chunks
- 2-3 pounds potatoes, cut in large chunks
- 2-3 tablespoons parsley, optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season stew beef with salt and pepper to thoroughly cover all sides.
- Heat the oil in an oven-safe Dutch oven or pan over medium heat. Add stew beef and brown well, turning once, 2-3 minutes per side, until beef browns up. Do not overcrowd the pan. Cook in batches, if necessary. Add beef to the slow cooker.
- Add onions, green onions, garlic, ginger, thyme, allspice, bell pepper, bay leaf, scotch bonnet or hot sauce, and smoked paprika to the skillet. Stir for 2-3 minutes until the onions are translucent.
- Add tomato paste and bouillon. Stir for another minute, then add water or broth to the skillet and scrape all sides. Bring to a boil, remove, and pour into the slow cooker.
- Toss carrots and potatoes into the slow cooker and add salt and pepper according to preference.
- Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-7 hours.
- Remove and serve with bread. Enjoy!
Tips & Notes:
- To make this paleo leave out white potatoes and go with sweet potatoes instead. Or better yet, use plantains. Be sure to cut them in big chunks so they do not get all mushy when done. Same with the carrots and other vegetables. Didn’t have enough potatoes, so I include unripe or green plantains as well. Ripe plantains do not work well here.
- Don’t waste your money on expensive cuts of meat. Go with the tougher and cheaper cuts of like chuck, leg shanks, and bottom round. It benefits from long hours of cooking- collagen breaks down, leaving the meat fork tender and infused with the flavors from the stew. It can’t be beat.
- As always, 10 minutes of browning and sautéing beef, vegetables, and spices yields the maximum amount of flavor. You don’t have to but it is advisable.
- If you want to get an extra touch of sweetness, then add 1 tablespoon of brown sugar.
- Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.
Nutrition Information:
Toni says
Loved it! The flavors are wonderful. May I use chicken instead of beef?ton
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Toni, Yes you may . Chicken works just as well,
SHEL says
I’m cooking for 10 people is it ok to leave out the potatoes and cook separately? My slow cooker won’t fit everything
ImmaculateBites says
The potatoes helps to thicken the sauce, throw in a few to achieve thickness .
Shel says
Could I add gravy granules for thickness?
Angela McGowan says
I am making this now while I was cooking it in the dutch oven before i put it in the crockpot I also added browning sauce and a green bell pepper onions garlic and everything you said to add and it is smelling and looking great!I really want to make that rice im going to do next maybe today looks delicious as well, I also want to try the goat stew I have always loved goat meat mmm mmm delicious!
ImmaculateBites says
Do let me know how it works out for you. Thanks for giving it a try.
Laura says
Can I make this without a slow cooker? Just in a Dutch pot?
imma africanbites says
Yes, you can make this on the stovetop.
Lilly Hill says
My stew wasn’t what I expected. I believe the ginger paired with beef wasn’t my favorite. However, the taste wasn’t bad it feels as if something is missing. Perhaps, O I went wrong somewhere.
JP says
Currently making this stew and im inlove with the broth. So yummy and flavorful. Cant wait to devour it tonight. Would it be fine if i add cornstarch to thicken the broth or its best to leave it as it is.
Thank you for this wonderful recipe =)
ImmaculateBites says
It’s a matter of preference . Either works just fine .
Kitty says
Hey could I use lamb instead?
ImmaculateBites says
You sure can.
Ms. Felicia says
Hi how are you ive tried a many of beef stew recipes and they never came out right however I just made yours today and it came out perfect thank you for sharing your recipes I will be adding this back to my list now at least once a month this was perfect and once again thanks hey do you have a recipe for Barbecue ribs and ham if so could you share it with us
Elizabeth says
Made this last night. I also added some yellow wax beans, and omitted the scotch bonnet – used just a little hot sauce instead. We all loved it! The taste of the ginger & allspice was really nice; I was looking for a stew recipe with a different flavor and this was it! I’m looking forward to eating it again for lunch 🙂 Thanks!
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Elizabeth! Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback! So glad to hear it worked out well for you. AND yes to having it for lunch- taste even better the next day.
Tracy says
Have been growing scotch bonnet this year because they look pretty in the greenhouse x looked this recipe up and thought ‘yum I will have to give that a go’ OMGits so delicious and homely. My boys came in from school and drifted to the kitchen asking what’s that lovely smell ‘ your dinner’ I replied. Georgeous x I did ad some green beans to this and it was good. Thanks for some enlightenment x
ImmaculateBites says
My pleasure! So glad to hear the boys enjoyed it too! Am so adding green beans next time I make . Thanks Tracy!
BrooklynLass says
I am in the middle of cooking this receipe. Before using any receipe I check the reviews. Reviews for this receipe were “great” so it was a “go”.
Been in the cooler for about 2 hours and looking good and smelling good!
I do want to add small comment. The ingredient list includes “paprika” however it was not mentioned with the instructions. I assumed it should have been added with stovetop mixing for the sauce and included it then. Was that correct?
I am looking forward to chowing down with this beef stew in about 5 hours with a bed of rice and some nice sweet plantains!!! Thanks for the receipe and the pictures!
ImmaculateBites says
Yes, you guessed right . Thanks for bringing this to my attention! I know you are going to love it .
Bon Apetit!
Jodel Nomura says
Hi, I love beef stew but i’ve never had the Jamaican version. So I am making this dish for dinner on this rainy day. I noticed about 5 minutes after I had pressed cook that I didn’t add any ginger! I knew I had seen it listed in the ingredients. So i read through the directions again to see where I missed it. I don’t see it but i’m guessing I was suppose to add it with the garlic and bell peppers? anyway, I ended up throwing in two chunks of ginger, thats how I usually do it anyway. I’m excited to try it!
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Jodel! Glad you took the plunge ! That’s where it’s suppose to go. Thanks for taking the time to bring this to my attention .
Bon Apetit!
Barry Poore says
I got tripped up on this too, and the smoked paprika. I too added them with the onions, garlic, chillie peppers etc.
It’s about an hour in and smells amazing already, cant’t wait to try some more of your recipes
Jinjer says
Hahaha Jodel…I, too, just realized, after skimming the comments, that I forgot to add the ginger! I realized the smoked paprika was missing from the instructions and added it in last minute but did not realize the ginger was left out of the instructions, too. Oh well! It was delicious even without the ginger so I’ll just make a note for next time.
Lisa G. says
Hi Imma! I stumbled upon your website because I did a Google search for baked rice recipes. I’ve spent the last few days positively salivating over all your wonderful food! This Jamaican Beef Stew was the first one I decided to try. I made it for dinner tonight, and my entire family loved it and everyone wants it added to the “regular” rotation! It was incredibly delicious, and my son, who is not a spicy guy at all ate an entire bowl (with a glass of milk, LOL) and that was even though I minced the scotch bonnet! I will most definitely be trying lots more of your recipes. Thanks so much!
ImmaculateBites says
Oh boy! I think you made it irresistible . My son is the same way , if its’s tasty and spicy he’ll eat it . So glad to hear it was a hit with the whole family.Thanks for taking the time to let me know.
Madeleine in Menlo Park, CA says
Made this recipe last weekend using our home grown scotch bonnet peppers! Spicy and delicious!
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome! Thanks for letting me know
Kacy Green says
One of the best stews I’ve ever made. I was hoping to find a new twist on an old dish and this recipe exceeded all expectations. I’ve shared it with my daughter, who happens to be a chef, and a few other friends. Just perfect :). Big hit with my oh so picky husband!!!! Now I’m waiting for that cookbook!!!’
FIVE STARS FOR SURE (for some reason it will only allow me to mark four)
ImmaculateBites says
YESS!!!!Thank you , Thank you Thank you