Jamaican Beef Soup Recipe
This Jamaican Beef Soup Recipe is a must-try!
When it comes to heartwarming dishes, few can compare to the richness of a well-made Jamaican beef soup.
Not only is it filling, but it’s also packed with mouthwatering flavors that truly warm the soul.
Whether you’re under the weather, hosting a family gathering, or simply craving something wholesome and satisfying, Jamaican beef soup is the answer.
This Jamaican Beef Soup recipe combines tender beef, nutritious vegetables, dumplings, and spices to create a perfect balance of comfort and the authentic taste of Jamaica.
Every spoonful of this Jamaican beef soup will excite your taste buds, making it a dish that’s sure to become a favorite.
What is Beef?
Beef is the meat from cows and is one of the most popular and versatile meats in the world.
It can be cooked in many ways, from grilling to slow-cooking in stews and soups.
In Jamaican cooking, beef is often seasoned with bold flavors like thyme, garlic, scallion, and allspice, giving the dishes a rich, traditional taste.
What is Jamaican Beef Soup?
Jamaican beef soup is a traditional dish that’s a big part of the island’s food culture. It’s a hearty, flavorful soup made with beef (usually a cut with some fat or bones for flavor), root vegetables like carrots, pumpkin, and yams, along with dumplings or spinners (a type of Jamaican boiled dough).
What makes this soup special is its bold seasoning. It’s spiced with Scotch bonnet peppers, thyme, and allspice (known as pimento in Jamaica), giving it a rich, slightly spicy taste that’s full of flavor.
Jamaican Beef Soup is more than just a meal. This soup is comforting on a chilly day, brings back memories for Jamaicans abroad, and is a must-try for anyone who loves Caribbean food.
In many Jamaican homes, this soup is traditionally made on Saturdays as part of the weekly Saturday Soup tradition.
Why You Will Love This Jamaican Beef Soup Recipe
There are several reasons why you’ll love this Jamaican Beef Soup recipe:
1. Rich in Flavor: Jamaican beef soup is packed with bold Caribbean spices, making each spoonful a burst of flavor. The mix of beef, sweet root vegetables, and a hint of heat from Scotch bonnet peppers makes this soup delicious.
2. Nutritious and Filling: With vegetables like yams, carrots, and pumpkin, plus slow-cooked beef, this soup is filling, healthy, satisfying.
3. Easy to Customize: You can easily tweak the recipe to your liking. You can adjust the heat by adding more or less Scotch bonnet pepper, and you can include your favorite vegetables or leave out the dumplings for a lighter version (however, note that Jamaicans traditionally cook Jamaican beef soup with dumplings)
4. Great for Cold Weather: Even though Jamaica is warm, this soup is perfect for cold days if you’re living abroad.
5. Comfort Food at Its Best: Whether you’re feeling under the weather or just craving something cozy, this soup is the perfect go-to for a comforting taste of Jamaica.
Ingredients For Jamaican Beef Soup
To make a pot of delicious Jamaican beef soup, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Beef
- Fresh pumpkin
- Yellow yam
- Chocho (chayote)
- Corn
- Carrots
- Green bananas
- Irish potato
- Garlic
- Onion
- Scotch bonnet pepper
- Fresh thyme
- Pimento (allspice) berries
- Scallions
- Beef flavor noodle soup mix
- Cups water
- Salt
- Lime:
- Dumplings (Spinners):
- Flour
- Water
- Salt
Essential Kitchen Tools
- Large Stockpot: You’ll need a large enough pot to hold all the ingredients, with room for them to simmer comfortably.
- Sharp Knife: For chopping the root vegetables and beef.
- Cutting Board: A sturdy surface for prepping ingredients.
- Ladle: For stirring and serving the soup.
How to Make Jamaican Beef Soup
To make Jamaican Beef Soup, begin by preparing the beef and vegetables. Simmer the beef in a pot with spices and water, then add ground provisions like yam, pumpkin, and green bananas, along with dumplings (spinners).
The soup is seasoned with fresh thyme, pimento, and a whole Scotch bonnet pepper for a bit of heat. Be careful not to break the pepper unless you prefer more spice. Simmer everything slowly until it’s tender, creating a rich, flavorful soup.
Finally, adjust the seasoning to taste and serve the soup warm, packed with nourishing, comforting ingredients that bring the flavors of Jamaica right to your table.
🥄✨ You can view the step-by-step instructions and the full recipe below.
What to Serve Jamaican Beef Soup With:
Jamaican Beef Soup is a meal on its own, but you can pair it with sides, such as:
- Bread: Jamaican bread or regular bread works perfectly with this soup.
- White Rice: You may enjoy a scoop of rice to make the meal even more filling.
Jamaican Beef Soup Recipe: FAQs
1. Can I make Jamaican Beef Soup without dumplings?
Yes, you can make Jamaican Beef Soup without dumplings, but in traditional Jamaican households, dumplings (spinners) are commonly used. However, leaving them out will still result in a flavorful soup.
2. Which Beef Soup Mix should I use?
Grace Beef Soup Mix is a popular option in Jamaica. It adds extra flavor and a rich color to the soup. However, other brands can be used.
3. Are all the ground provisions necessary?
No, you don’t need to use all the ground provisions listed. In Jamaica, people often use what’s available. You can customize the soup by omitting certain ground provisions (like bananas or Irish potatoes) based on availability or preference, while still enjoying a delicious soup.
4. Can I make this Jamaican Beef Soup spicier?
Yes, if you want the Jamaican Beef Soup to be spicier, you can slice the Scotch bonnet pepper before adding it to the soup, or use more than one pepper.
5. Should I use Bone-In Beef or Boneless Beef?
For authentic Jamaican beef soup, a mixture of bone-in beef (shank) and boneless beef is traditionally used. The bone-in beef add extra flavor and richness to the soup. However, if you prefer convenience or want to avoid dealing with bones while preparing it, you can use boneless beef entirely.
Jamaican Beef Soup is a filling, comforting meal that’s perfect for any occasion.
Jamaican Beef Soup Recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 2 lbs beef, cut into chunks
- ½ lb fresh pumpkin, peeled and chopped
- 1 medium yellow yam, peeled and chopped
- 1 medium chocho (chayote), peeled and diced
- 1 corn, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 green bananas, peeled and chopped into 1 to 2-inch pieces
- 1 medium Irish potato, peeled and diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 Scotch bonnet pepper (whole, for flavor)
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon pimento (allspice) berries
- 2 scallions, chopped
- 1 packet beef flavor noodle soup mix
- 8 cups water
- Salt to taste Lime: 1, juiced, to wash the beef
For the Dumplings (Spinners):
- 1 cup flour
- Water (to form dough)
- Pinch of salt
INSTRUCTIONS
Prepare the Beef:
- Cut the beef into small bite-sized chunks. Wash the beef in a mixture of water and lime juice. Drain all excess water from the beef, and pat it dry with a kitchen towel if necessary.
Prepare the Vegetables:
- Peel and chop the pumpkin, yellow yam, chocho, carrots and Irish potato.
- Slice the corn into 2-inch pieces and chop the onion, garlic, and scallion.
- Peel the bananas by cutting off both ends with a paring knife, then make a shallow slit along the length of the skin. Use your fingers to remove the peel then chop into 1-2 inch pieces.
Prepare The Dumplings:
- Combine flour, water, and a pinch of salt until the dough is firm, then roll them into thin, long pieces (spinners).
Start Cooking the Beef:
- Place the beef in a large soup pot along with the pimento (allspice), chopped onion, scallion, garlic, thyme, corn, and salt.
- Cover the ingredients with boiling water until about 5 inches over the beef and let it cook for about 45 minutes on medium heat.
- Keep an eye on the pot to prevent burning or the water from drying out. Gradually add hot water if necessary to avoid sticking.
Add Vegetables and Dumplings:
- After 45 minutes, add the chopped pumpkin, carrots, chocho, yellow yam, green bananas, potatoes and the dumplings (spinners) into the pot.
- Pour in enough boiling water to cover all the ingredients. Make sure the vegetables and beef are covered with water.
- Stir everything together gently.
- Add the Soup Mix and Scotch Bonnet Pepper
- Stir in 1 packet of the Beef Soup Noodle Mix for extra flavor and color.
- Add the whole Scotch bonnet pepper without cutting it, as this will add a mild heat to the soup without overpowering it.
- Be sure not to break the pepper to avoid making the soup too spicy.
Simmer and Cook:
- Cover the pot and reduce the heat to a low simmer.
- Let the soup cook for 30-50 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Be careful not to burst the Scotch bonnet pepper while stirring.
- Once the soup begins to bubble and the ingredients start to soften, reduce the heat further and allow the flavors to meld.
- Keep an eye on the pot to prevent burning or the water from drying out. Gradually add teaspoons of hot water if needed to avoid sticking and to maintain the right consistency.
- To avoid overcooking the vegetables, check them gradually as the soup simmers. The vegetables should be soft but not overcooked.
Taste and Adjust:
- Once the beef is fully cooked, the vegetables are tender (a fork should easily sink all the way through), and the soup has taken on a rich color, taste the soup to see if more salt is needed.
- You may remove the Scotch bonnet pepper at this point to prevent the soup from becoming too spicy.
Serve:
- Serve the soup warm, with all the vegetables, ground provisions, dumplings, and beef in each bowl.
NOTES
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