Vegan Jamaican brown stew chicken

February 5, 2023Tiffany

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Serves: 5-6 People

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Jamaica is home to many mouth watering stews apart from the well known jerk and curry recipes. A beloved classic that is not as popular amongst outsiders but well known by Caribbean people is brown stew chicken. This vegan Jamaican brown stew chicken tastes just like the kind my mom used to make as a child. Its flavourful, authentic tasting, and feels like home.

Vegan Brown stew chicken medium shot next to rice and peas in coconut bowl

What is brown stew?

Brown stew is a style of cooking/seasoning meat. Of course, this is a Caribbean vegan food blog so we’re going to be using plant based protein today instead of seasoning and cooking meat. I used to love this dish growing up as a child, even more than jerk!

Every Jamaican has their own style and recipe for cooking brown stew chicken. No taste is one and the same. Given the name, brown stew is typically made with browning which is just cooked sugar. My mom always made hers with soy sauce, so that’s what this recipe will call for.

Vegan Brown stew chicken close up next to rice and peas in coconut bowl

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Meat replacements for vegan brown stew chicken

Not everyone is a fan of tofu and that is okay! This recipe can easily be replaced with other forms of plant based protein. Just remember to adjust cooking times according to the desired protein. If wanting an alkaline Dr. Sebi version, swap out the soy sauce for coconut aminos.

Oyster mushrooms- My absolute favorite mushroom! This will taste amazing in this vegan Jamaican brown stew chicken recipe and give the dish a more in depth umami, meaty flavour.

Cauliflower- I would suggest to create a batter and bake these before combining into the brown stew sauce.

Seitan– Made from washed flower and pure gluten, seitan can act as a great soy free meat replacer for vegan brown stew tofu. Grab some wheat gluten with this link and make your own seitan from scratch.

Vegan Brown stew chicken Pinterest image

What to serve with vegan brown stew chicken

Brown stew chicken is typically served with rice and peas. Lucky for us, rice and peas is a completely vegan and a gluten free Jamaican classic. Check out my rice and peas recipe and other tasty Jamaican sides linked below to serve with your flavourful vegan Jamaican brown stew chicken.

Authentic Jamaican Rice and Peas Recipe

Jamaican Pumpkin rice

Jamaican Boiled dumplings

What you’ll need

This recipe consists of tofu and soy sauce but can be swapped with oyster mushrooms and coconut aminos to be soy free alkaline!

Tofu

Onion

Scallion (Green Onion)

Bell Pepper

Tomato

Carrot

Thyme

Scotch Bonnet

Red Potatoes

Garlic

Ginger

Seasonings you need

Vegan Brown stew chicken: Dry seasonings

Garlic Powder

Onion Powder

Soy Sauce

Black Pepper

Paprika

No Salt Seasoning I use Mrs Dash, grab a bottle of your own with this link

Jamaican All Purpose Seasoning Definitely needed for an authentic and tasty dish. Grab your own bottle using this link if you don’t have it.

Ketchup Make sure this is free from High fructose corn syrup.

Agave Syrup

Water

Cornstarch- Completely optional! Purposed to make the tofu extra crispy during frying.

How to make vegan brown stew chicken

1. Wash and chop your fresh produce minus the scotch bonnet and thyme. Optional to grate the ginger and garlic. Slice the tofu into thin pieces or desired size.

spoon of cornstarch on top of marinated tofu

2. Optional to marinate the tofu with 2 tbs soy sauce and chopped produce for deeper, intense flavor (at least 5 minutes). Also optional, coat the tofu with a little bit of corn starch for extra crispiness.

Fried tofu drying on paper towel lined plate

3. Heat a pan of oil and fry all the tofu once cooked and fried. Using that same oil, remove the tofu to dry on a paper towel lined plate and sauté your fresh veg for at least 2 minutes or until fragrant.

Vegan Jamaican brown stew chicken with dry seasonings

4. Add in your dry seasonings, remaining soy sauce, potatoes, and water. Stir to combine, place lid on top, and allow to simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes.

Ketchup and agave nectar over brown stew tofu

5. Add in the ketchup, agave nectar, tofu, and extra water if needed. Add salt to taste and enjoy!

How to store vegan brown stew chicken

Vegan Jamaican brown stew chicken can last up to 5 days in the fridge making it great for meal prep! Simply store in an airtight container and reheat on the stove when desired. For a meal prep upgrade, make some of my delicious authentic Jamaican rice and peas and sort with the brown stew into small containers for the week.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Sharing is caring! Be sure to share with family and friends and save to your Pinterest board for later!

Check out these other delicious vegan Jamaican recipes you may enjoy

Jamaican Steamed Cabbage

Lentil Potato Curry (Jamaican style)

Jamaican Chickpea Curry

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Jamaican Brownstew Tofu

February 5, 2023italeatsandtreats

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes

Serves: 5-6 People

Brownstew is a classic Jamaican dish and this tofu version will bring back so much nostalgia and memories of the islands! This recipe is ready in under 40 minutes, authentic tasting, and delicious!

Ingredients

Jamaican Brownstew Tofu Produce

1 Onion, small, chopped
2 Scallions, chopped
2 Cloves Garlic , grated
1 Thumb Ginger, Grated
2 Tomato, chopped
4 Sticks Fresh Thyme
1 Scotch Bonnet, do not chop or burst
2 Potatoes, chopped, small-medium

Jamaican Brownstew Tofu Dry Seasonings

1.5 Tsp Garlic Powder
1 Tsp Onion Powder
5 Tbs Soy Sauce, Split 3 & 2 tbs
Pinch Black Pepper
1/2 Tsp Paprika
1 Tsp No salt seasoning, I Use Mrs. Dash brand
1.5 Tsp Jamaican All Purpose
1.5 Tsp Agave Syrup
2.5 Tablespoons Ketchup
2.5 Cup Water, for cooking

Method

1)
Wash and chop your fresh produce minus the scotch bonnet and thyme. Optional to grate the ginger and garlic. Slice the tofu into thin pieces or desired size. (see picture for my personal preference tofu slice size).

** Be sure to never cut or burst the scotch bonnet pepper as the seeds are extremely spicy**
2)
Optional to marinate the tofu with 2 tbs soy sauce and chopped produce for deeper, intense flavor (at least 5 minutes). Also optional, coat the tofu with a little bit of corn starch for extra crispiness during frying process.
3)
Heat a pan of oil and fry all the tofu once cooked and browned.

Using that same oil, remove the tofu to dry on a paper towel lined plate and sauté your fresh veg for at least 2 minutes or until fragrant.
4)
After the fresh herbs are cooked, add in your dry seasonings, remaining soy sauce, potatoes, and water. Stir to combine, place lid on top, and allow to simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes.
5)
Add in the ketchup, agave nectar, tofu, and extra water if needed. Allow to cook for the sauces to seep into the tofu for at least 2-5 minutes. Add salt to taste and enjoy!