Jamaican Pepper Steak Recipe

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Jamaican Pepper Steak Recipe

INGREDIENTS

For the Marinade:

• 1 ½ pounds (680g) beef, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons dark rum
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

For the Pepper Steak:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced (use a mix of colours for visual appeal)
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 2 teaspoons ginger, minced
• 2 teaspoons Scotch bonnet pepper, minced (adjust to taste for heat)
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• Salt to taste
• 1 cup beef broth or water
• Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

PROCEDURE

• Prepare the Marinade:

1. In a bowl, combine soy sauce, dark rum, minced garlic, brown sugar, ground allspice, thyme leaves, and black pepper.
2. Place the sliced beef in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the beef, ensuring it's well coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight, to allow the flavours to meld.

• Cook the Pepper Steak:

1. In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
2. Remove the marinated meat from the bag, allowing any excess marinade to drip off.
3. Add the marinated beef slices to the hot skillet and cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are browned and slightly caramelized. Transfer the cooked meat to a plate and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add the sliced onion and bell pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until the vegetables are slightly softened and have a vibrant colour.
5. Stir in the diced tomatoes, minced ginger, and Scotch bonnet pepper. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, allowing the flavours to meld.
6. Sprinkle brown sugar, ground allspice, black pepper, and salt over the vegetables. Stir well to combine the spices with the vegetables.
7. Pour in the beef broth or water, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Allow it to cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavours to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
8. Return the cooked steak slices to the skillet, along with any accumulated juices. Stir everything together to ensure the steak is coated in a flavorful sauce. Cook for an additional 10 minutes to heat the steak through.
9. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. If you prefer more heat, add a bit more minced Scotch bonnet pepper at this stage.
10. Once the steak is heated through and the flavours have melded, remove the skillet from the heat.  

• Serve and Garnish:

1. Transfer the Jamaican Pepper Steak to a serving platter.
2. Serve the Pepper Steak alongside some of our traditional Jamaican sides like rice and peas, fried plantains, or even bammy – a cassava flatbread.

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