Bahamian Peas 'n' Rice

Name: Bahamian Peas 'n' Rice
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Bahamas
Ingredients: 2 cups long-grain rice; 1 cup pigeon peas (fresh, frozen, or canned); 4 oz salt pork or bacon, diced; 1 onion, chopped; 1 green bell pepper, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1 sprig fresh thyme; 1 tbsp brown sugar; 2 1/2 cups water; Salt and black pepper to taste

6 servings15 min prep40 min cookEasy Bahamas

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Bahamian Peas 'n' Rice

Story updated September 17, 2026

Bahamian peas 'n' rice, pigeon peas simmered with rice, tomatoes, and salt pork, reflects broader Caribbean rice-and-bean traditions rooted in African cooking carried by enslaved people. It remains a near-daily side dish across the Bahamas, often paired with fish or chicken.

Ingredients

Scale:· 6 servings

2 cups long-grain rice
1 cup pigeon peas (fresh, frozen, or canned)
4 oz salt pork or bacon, diced
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 tbsp brown sugar
2 1/2 cups water
Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1Render the salt pork in a heavy pot until crisp.
2Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic, and saute until softened.
3Stir in tomato paste and brown sugar, cooking 1-2 minutes to caramelize slightly.
4Add pigeon peas, thyme, and water, and bring to a boil.
5Stir in the rice, season with salt and pepper, reduce heat to low, and cover.
6Simmer 20-25 minutes until the rice is tender and liquid absorbed.
7Fluff with a fork and serve hot alongside fried fish or chicken.

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