Jamaica | Meats | Beef | Okra

Beef & Okra

(Jamaican beef & okra stew)

Yield: 4-6 servings


INGREDIENTS PREP AMOUNT
Beef, shoulder or sirloin sliced thinly across the grain 2 lbs
Salt & pepper to season
Oil 1/4 cup
 
Onion sliced thinly 1 each
Garlic minced 3-4 cloves
Tomatoes chopped 1 cup
Water or stock 1 cup
Thyme 2 tsp
Okra stems removed, cut in rounds 1 lb
Salt & pepper to taste

METHOD

Basic Steps:  Sauté → Simmer → Add okra → Simmer
  1. Mix beef with a little salt and pepper to season. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sauté beef until browned. Remove to a plate.
  2. Add onions and more oil if needed to the skillet and sauté until translucent. Add garlic and sauté 1-2 minutes more.
  3. Add tomatoes and simmer 2-3 minutes to cook down a little.
  4. Return the beef to the skillet and add the water or stock, thyme and salt and pepper. Simmer over medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes.
  5. Add okra and simmer another 20-30 minutes. Adjust seasoning and serve over rice.

VARIATIONS

  • Add a minced jalapeño or Scotch bonnet pepper with the garlic for some fire.
  • Half-frozen beef will be easier to slice thinly. Slicing across the grain makes the beef much more tender, so be sure to do it.