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Jamaican curry rice is a super quick, one pan meal which is absolutely delicious. Crisped up soy curls and lots of veggies simmer in a creamy, coconut Jamaican curry sauce that’s just packed with flavor!
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This curry rice gets its incredible flavor from Jamaican curry powder that you make from scratch. If you’d rather not make the spice mix, you can use store-bought Jamaican curry powder instead.
Crisped up soycurls, loads of veggies and potato, rice, Jamaican curry powder, coconut milk all come together to make an easy meal. It’s like a vegan version of Jamaican curry chicken and rice!
It’s hearty, flavorful, delicious and needs just 1 pan. Perfect for weeknights. Serve with fresh lime, some non dairy yogurt, or a chili garlic sauce!
This curry rice is just so versatile. Use other veggies of choice and it goes well with a variety of proteins. You can use different proteins of choice, like beans, chickpeas, or tofu instead of the soy curls. Use other spice blends for variation such as curry powder, garam masala, Berbere or Cajun!
Why You’ll Love Jamaican Curry Rice
- flavorful dish with plenty of protein and veggies
- make your own Jamaican curry powder or use store bought!
- easy one-pot meal ready in just over 30 minutes
- naturally gluten-free and nut-free with easy soy-free option
More Jamaican-Inspired Recipes
- Jamaican Jerk Jackfruit Wraps
- Cannellini and Lentil Jamaican Curry
- Scalloped Potatoes and Cauliflower with Jamaican Curry Spices
- Jamaican Jerk Black Bean Tacos
Jamaican Curry Rice
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 2 ounces soy curls, soaked in 1.5 cups broth for 15 minutes and then drained, reserve the broth
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons ginger-garlic paste, or 5 cloves of garlic minced and 1/2 inch of ginger minced
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons Jamaican curry powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
- 1 scotch bonnet pepper, or use other hot chili pepper
- 2 tablespoons green onion
- 1/2 cup chopped carrots
- 1/2 to 1 cup peeled and cubed potatoes
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 15 ounce can coconut milk
- 1/2 cup water/broth, (use reserved broth after draining soycurls)
- 1 cup white rice, washed and drained
- green onion, cilantro, and lime juice, for garnish
Instructions
- Soak your soy curls, if you haven't already, and then drain, reserving the stock, and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the oil. Once the oil is hot, add the soy curls, onions, and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and cook for a few minutes to crisp up the soy curls and until the onion turns translucent. 5-7 minutes
- Reduce heat to medium. Mix in the ginger garlic paste, hot sauce, and another splash of water, then add the Jamaican curry powder and thyme to the pan. Cook for half a minute.
- Then, mix in the bell peppers, Scotch bonnet pepper, green onion, carrots, potatoes, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cover and cook until the potatoes are al dente, about 10 minutes.
- Add the coconut milk and 1/2 cup of water/ broth, mixing well. Bring to a boil.
- Next, add the drained rice, and mix in and even it out. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with the lid, and cook for 15 to 17 minutes, or until the rice is cooked to preference.
- Fluff with a fork, then garnish with green onion, cilantro, and lime, and serve, or you can also add some non-dairy yogurt or creamy dressing of choice or garlic chili sauce.
Video
Notes
- 3/4 teaspoon turmeric,
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander,
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin,
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg,
- 1/4 teaspoon ground clove,
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger,
- 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek leaves,
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice,
- 1/4 teaspoon mustard,
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- oil – To sauté.
- soy curls – This is your protein. For soy-free, use seitan or a drained can of chickpeas or chickpea tofu instead.
- veggies – This Jamaican curry rice dish is packed with onion, bell pepper, Scotch bonnet pepper, green onions, carrots, and potatoes!
- ginger garlic paste – Adds umami and a ginger kick!
- hot sauce – For tang and heat.
- Jamaican curry powder – You can use store-bought, or make your own by mixing 3/4 teaspoon turmeric, 2 teaspoons ground coriander, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon ground clove, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek leaves, 1/4 teaspoon allspice, 1/4 teaspoon mustard, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
- coconut milk – Gives the curry rice a coconutty creaminess.
- water – Moisture for the rice.
- rice – Soak and drain your rice before cooking for the best results.
- garnishes – Garnish with more green onion and some fresh cilantro and lime juice.
How to Make Jamaican Curry Rice
Soak your soy curls, if you haven’t already, and then drain, Reserving the broth, and set aside.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the oil. Once the oil is hot, add the soy curls, onions, and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and cook for a few minutes to crisp up the soy curls and until the onion turns translucent. 5-7 minutes
Reduce heat to medium. Mix in the ginger garlic paste, hot sauce, and another splash of water, then add the Jamaican curry powder and thyme to the pan. Cook for half a minute stirring.
Then, mix in the bell peppers, Scotch bonnet pepper, green onion, carrots, potatoes, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cover and cook until the potatoes are al dente, about 10 minutes.
Add the coconut milk and 1/2 cup of water, mixing well. Bring to a boil
Next, add the drained rice, and mix in and even it out. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with the lid, and cook for 15 to 17 minutes, or until the rice is cooked to preference.
Fluff with a fork, then garnish with green onion, cilantro, and lime and serve, or you can also add some non-dairy yogurt or creamy dressing of choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is a gluten-free nut-free recipe. Use chickpeas or other beans to make it soy-free.
They’re very different spice mixes. Yellow curry powder is often used for a generic curry. My recipe for curry powder has flavors of Garam Masala, turmeric, and ginger. Jamaican curry powder also has turmeric, ginger, and complementary flavors come from cumin, coriander, fenugreek, and black pepper along with other Caribbean spices.
Absolutely love this recipe & the flavours & taste is out of this world.
i substituted the soy curls and potatoes for seitan and sweet potatoes.
Will be making this again very soon and try other variations of veggies next time
Yay
I already rated this one and I’m going to do it again. I made this last night and served it with cashew yogurt and chopped fresh mango on top – heaven! Tonight I added green peas while reheating, and put roasted cashews on top. We love this recipe!
Thank you for taking the time to comment!
OM gosh! This recipe is so good!! Made it tonight using sweet potatoes (because that’s all I had). Even my picky husband liked it and he never likes anything with rice in it– so its a WIN!!! Thank you! I’ll definitely make this again.
LOVE!!
You know it’s good when the husband likes it!
This is outrageously delicious! Made it with sautéed tofu and will make it again soon. Thank you for another awesome recipe!
Yay! So glad you liked it.
I made this for dinner last night and it was absolutely fantastic! My husband said this is one of the best vegan meals I have ever made (I’ve been vegan for seven years)! Thank you so much. We will be making this often. 🙏🏻❤️😁
That’s awesome! Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Probably one of your best recipes, Richa! Love how flavorful it was and quick to make. Your Jamaican spice blend was right on. Will be adding this to our weekly rotation.
Yay!! Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Hi Richa,
This looks so, so delicious. I love Caribbean flavors. If I used brown jasmine rice, how would you suggest adjusting the amount of liquid and/or cooking time? (I would soak the rice for 30 mins before cooking.) Thank you!
Precook the rice until aldente, then in recipe use 1 cup coconut milk, no stock and continue to cook as recipe mentions until brown rice is cooked through.