🇯🇲🥩 Caribbean Beef Curry with Potatoes 🥥🔥
A bold and aromatic dish with melt-in-your-mouth beef, creamy potatoes, and Caribbean curry spices all brought together in a deeply flavorful coconut-based sauce.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
For the Curry:
1.5–2 lbs beef stew meat (chuck or round), cut into cubes 🥩
Juice of 1 lime (for rinsing the beef) 🍋
2 tbsp Caribbean-style curry powder (like Jamaican curry) 🌶️
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp paprika
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp vegetable or coconut oil
1 medium onion, diced 🧅
4 garlic cloves, minced 🧄
1-inch piece of ginger, grated
1 Scotch bonnet or habanero pepper, whole (optional for heat) 🔥
1 bell pepper, chopped (red or green) 🫑
2 scallions, chopped
2 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried) 🌿
1–2 cups beef broth
1 (13.5 oz) can coconut milk 🥥
2–3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed 🥔
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prep the Beef
Rinse beef with lime juice and water, drain well, and pat dry.
Season with salt, pepper, curry powder, allspice, and paprika. Let marinate at least 30 minutes (or overnight for deeper flavor).
2. Brown the Meat
Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat.
Sear beef in batches until browned on all sides. Set aside.
3. Build the Flavor Base
In the same pot, add a bit more oil if needed.
Sauté onions until soft, about 5 minutes.
Add garlic, ginger, bell pepper, scallions, and thyme. Cook another 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
4. Simmer the Curry
Return beef to the pot. Stir in the whole Scotch bonnet (don’t burst it unless you want it spicy 🔥).
Add coconut milk and enough broth to just cover the meat.
Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 1.5–2 hours until beef is tender.
5. Add Potatoes
Add the cubed potatoes and stir well.
Simmer uncovered for another 25–30 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the sauce thickens.
6. Final Touches
Remove the Scotch bonnet if used (unless you want to unleash the heat!).
Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or a splash of lime juice.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Fluffy white rice or coconut rice 🍚
Warm roti or naan 🫓
A side of fried plantains 🍌
Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish 🌿
💡 Tips & Variations
Can’t find Caribbean curry powder? Mix turmeric, coriander, cumin, allspice, and a touch of cinnamon.
Swap beef for goat or lamb for a more traditional island-style curry.
Add carrots or green beans for extra veggies 🥕
🍹 Drink Pairing
Ginger beer 🧉
Rum punch 🍹
A cold Red Stripe or lager 🍺