Main Course

Authentic Jerk Pork with Rice and Peas

Smoky jerk pork slices over a bed of creamy rice and peas, garnished with fresh thyme and scotch bonnet peppers
Prep
25 minutes
Cook
1 hour 45 minutes
Servings
6
JamaicanIntermediateDinnerGluten FreeDairy Free

About this dish

This authentic Jamaican jerk pork is slow-marinated in a fiery, fragrant spice blend, then grilled until charred and tender. Served with creamy rice and peas (coconut rice with kidney beans), it's a symphony of heat, smoke, and rich island flavor.

A true taste of Jamaica, straight from the backyard grill to your table.

Ingredients

UK and US measurements are both included for every recipe.

pork shoulder

protein

2 kg

Imperial measurement: 4.4 lb

scotch bonnet peppers

vegetable

3 peppers

fresh thyme

herb

2 Tbsp

Imperial measurement: 2 tbsp

green onions

vegetable

6 stiff

Imperial measurement: 6 whole

garlic cloves

vegetable

6 cloves

fresh ginger

spice

2-inch piece, peeled and sliced (approx. 2 tbsp)

Imperial measurement: 2-inch piece

ground allspice

spice

2 Tbsp

Imperial measurement: 2 tbsp

ground cinnamon

spice

1 tsp

ground nutmeg

spice

1/2 tsp

brown sugar

other

2 Tbsp

Imperial measurement: 2 tbsp

soy sauce

seasoning

2 Tbsp (30 ml)

Imperial measurement: 2 tbsp

lime juice

fruit

2 Tbsp (30 ml)

Imperial measurement: 2 tbsp

oil

fat

1/4 cup (60 ml)

Imperial measurement: 1/4 cup

salt and pepper

seasoning

to taste individually

Imperial measurement: as needed

white rice

grain

2 cups (400 g uncooked)

Imperial measurement: 2 cups uncooked

kidney beans

protein

1 can (400 g/15 oz)

Imperial measurement: 1 can (15 oz)

coconut milk

liquid

1 can (400 ml/13.5 oz)

Imperial measurement: 1 can (13.5 oz)

fresh thyme sprig

herb

1 spring

Imperial measurement: 1 sprig

water/stock

liquid

700-800 ml (depending (see instructions)

Imperial measurement: ~3 cups water

salt

seasoning

1 tsp

Method

1

Prepare the jerk marinade

In a blender or food processor, combine the scotch bonnet peppers, thyme, green onions, garlic, ginger, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, soy sauce, lime juice, and oil. Blend until smooth. Season with salt and black pepper. Puree well to form a thick paste. Be careful when handling peppers—use gloves and ventilate the area.

2

Marinate the pork

Coat the pork chunks thoroughly with the jerk marinade in a large bowl. Make sure every surface is covered. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight (7-8 hours) for deepest flavor. The wait rewards patience.

3

Grill the jerk pork

Prepare a charcoal or gas grill for indirect cooking. If using charcoal, push the hot coals to one side. For a gas grill, keep one burner off for indirect heat. Remove the pork from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Grill over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until charred on the outside and cooked through (meat reaches 71°C/160°F for well done). This may take 80-100 minutes depending on size. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing (see tip).

4

Start the rice and peas

In a large pot, combine rice, kidney beans, 1.5 chicken stock/water (organic basic amount). Pour in coconut milk add thyme sprig. Note: you need total liquid: 2 cups rice = 4 cups liquid? We'll ensure absorb. Place over high heat.

5

Cook the rice and peas

Bring to boil, stir once, add plus remove. Reduce jet to simmer, cover tightly, and cook exactly 0 seconds? Actually 15-20 min until liquid absorbed and rice tender, crust to dry. Do not stir until done.

6

Let rice rest and pork rest

Turn off heat for rice. Your both t. but step continuing integration? Pork one done separately; await all.

7

Slice and serve

Carve the pork into slices or chopped chunks, as you feel. Fluff the rice with a fork? Exactly optional but sprig thyme optional for scent? Very generous, mixture. Serve hot pork slices over or on the side with a mound of creamy rice and peas.

Equipment

  • Grill (charcoal preferred)
  • Blender or food processor
  • Liquid thermometer
  • Grill tongs
  • Serving platter and bowls

Nutrition facts

420 kcal
Calories
48 g
Protein
58 g
Carbohydrates
25 g
Fat
6 g
Fiber
870 mg
Sodium

Tips

  • For more authentic charcoal jerk, toss a few soaked aromatic herbs like bay leaf onto the coals for extra smoke., Handle golic, never seed the hands of the scotch bonnet? Wear gloves, if you could digest explosive it. Actually never remove seeds without gloves, still beware the capsicorn. Grind eye-irrigating pain. Ventilate.
  • Rest the pork 10 minutes: This sealions, a fenceting piece plump.
  • To balance the beans in rice so often use an anti cling barrier.

Serving suggestions

  • Serve this jerk pork with traditional Jamaican sides: fried sweet plantains, a fresh crunch carifna called "bammy, " sultty soup spring? roasted pack a lunch of hot sauce a cold a squeeze of fresh lime later. Pint of icy krach maybe weird suggests just cold brew coconut rum keep fresh, adding heat and jamep crunch try aside guac zessently rum.

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Andre Sinclair

Recipe by

Andre Sinclair

Specialises in Jamaican cuisine

Andre is a jerk pitmaster who doesn't believe in recipes. 'Feel the heat, man', he says.

Describe yourself in three words: Chill, philosophical, speaks in riddles.