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Caribbean Pressure-Cooked Beef Pelau with Vegetables plated

Caribbean Pressure-Cooked Beef Pelau with Vegetables

A comforting Caribbean pelau featuring tender beef pressure-cooked with pigeon peas, rice, and seasonal vegetables, infused with traditional island spices for a soulful weeknight meal.

Caribbeanmedium60 mins

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Overview

This Caribbean beef pelau is a one-pot comfort meal combining tender beef, pigeon peas, rice, and vibrant seasonal vegetables. Pressure cooking allows you to deepen the flavors quickly while keeping the beef succulent and the rice perfectly cooked. Infused with traditional island spices like allspice and thyme, this dish offers an authentic taste of Caribbean home cooking that’s ideal for a soulful weeknight dinner.

Why you’ll love it

  • Fast and convenient: Pressure cooker drastically reduces traditional cooking time.
  • Rich flavor profile: Balanced seasoning with aromatic spices and savory vegetables.
  • Nutritious and hearty: Combines protein, legumes, and veggies in one pot.
  • Flexible: Use seasonal vegetables and adjust spices to your preference.

Ingredient notes

  • Beef: Use stewing beef or chuck cut into cubes for best results.
  • Pigeon peas: Found canned or dried; canned is recommended for ease. If using dried, soak ahead.
  • Seasonal vegetables: Bell peppers, carrots, and green beans work well.
  • Rice: Long-grain white rice is traditional; rinse before cooking.
  • Spices: Allspice berries and thyme provide authentic Caribbean flavor.

Serving & storage

Serve pelau hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley or scallions. It pairs well with a fresh salad or fried plantains.

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Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat thoroughly to 74°C (165°F) for food safety. Pelau can also be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

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Chef tips

  • If using dried pigeon peas, soak them overnight and pre-cook until soft before adding to the recipe.
  • Rinse rice thoroughly under cold water to remove excess starch for fluffier pelau.
  • Use fresh herbs when available for brighter flavor.
  • Always ensure beef reaches an internal temperature of at least 74°C (165°F) for food safety.
  • Let the pelau rest for a few minutes after cooking to absorb all flavors before serving.

Ingredients

  • 600 g (1.3 lbs) stewing beef, cubedbeef
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oilvegetable oil
  • 1 medium onion, dicedonion
  • 3 garlic cloves, mincedgarlic
  • 1 bell pepper, dicedbell pepper
  • 150 g (1 cup) canned pigeon peas, drained and rinsedpigeon peas
  • 200 g (1 cup) long-grain white rice, rinsedwhite rice
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and dicedcarrots
  • 100 g (1 cup) green beans, trimmed and choppedgreen beans
  • 400 ml (1 2/3 cups) beef broth or waterbeef broth
  • 1 tbsp tomato pastetomato paste
  • 1 tsp dried thyme or 2 tsp fresh thymethyme
  • 4 allspice berries, crushedallspice berries
  • 1 tsp salt, or to tastesalt
  • ½ tsp black pepperblack pepper

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Equipment

  • pressure cooker
  • knife
  • cutting board
  • measuring cups
  • wooden spoon

Nutrition per serving

  • Calories520
  • Protein38 g
  • Carbs55 g
  • Fat12 g

Step-by-step

  1. Step 1

    Set your pressure cooker to the sauté or browning mode. Add vegetable oil and heat until shimmering.

  2. Step 2

    Add the cubed beef to the hot oil. Brown the beef on all sides, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

  3. Step 3

    Add diced onion, garlic, and bell pepper to the beef. Sauté until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes.

  4. Step 4

    Stir in the tomato paste, dried thyme, crushed allspice berries, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes to release aromas.

  5. Step 5

    Add the pigeon peas, diced carrots, green beans, rinsed rice, and beef broth. Stir to combine all ingredients evenly.

  6. Step 6

    Seal the pressure cooker lid securely. Set to high pressure and cook for 20 minutes.

  7. Step 7

    After the cooking time, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then carefully perform a quick release to let out any remaining pressure.

  8. Step 8

    Open the lid carefully, fluff the pelau gently with a fork, and adjust seasoning to taste before serving.

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Tags

BraiseCaribbean
Cooking MethodProteinSeasonal Produce

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