Saint Lucian Bouyon (Hearty Red Bean, Plantain, Root & Dumpling Stew) – Authentic Saint Lucia Recipe
Saint Lucia’s beloved one-pot national soup packed with red beans, root provisions, and herb dumplings.
- Country of Origin
- 🇱🇨 Saint Lucia (Caribbean, Americas)
- Dietary Profile
- omnivore
- Prep Time
- 15 min
- Cook Time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Signature Staples
- Tender beef or chicken (or smoked tofu), Red kidney beans, Plantains, Fresh thyme, Scallions
Ingredients for Saint Lucian Bouyon (Hearty Red Bean, Plantain, Root & Dumpling Stew) (4 Servings)
- 1.25 lbs (or 2.5 cups) tender beef or chicken (or smoked tofu), prepped into bite-sized pieces
- 1.5 cups red kidney beans, washed and trimmed
- 1 cup plantains
- 1 medium onion and 3 cloves garlic, finely minced with fresh thyme
- 1.5 tbsp traditional Saint Lucia seasoning (scallions, garlic, allspice, hot pepper)
- 2.5 cups rich culinary stock or aromatic cooking liquid, plus 2 tbsp cooking oil
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
- Warm cooking oil in a heavy pot over medium heat; gently sweat the minced onion, garlic, and fresh thyme for 3–4 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in scallions, garlic, allspice, hot pepper and toast for 45 seconds to release the essential oils of Saint Lucia's kitchen.
- Add tender beef or chicken (or smoked tofu) and red kidney beans, tossing to coat in the aromatic base.
- Pour in the stock, bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 18–20 minutes until tender and deeply flavorful.
- Fold in plantains, adjust seasoning, and ladle steaming hot into deep bowls.