Dinner

Jamaican Bullied Beef with Rice Recipe

Name: Jamaican Bullied Beef with Rice Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 23 min
Total time: 33 min
Cuisine: Jamaican
Ingredients: 1 tbsp sunflower oil, for frying; 1 onion, finely chopped; 1 spring onion, finely sliced; 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 2 whole sprigs thyme; ½ scotch bonnet chilli, deseeded and finely chopped (adjust to spice preference); 1 large tomato, chopped; 1 pepper, cored and finely chopped; 240g can corned beef; 2 tbsp ketchup; ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper; Cooked white rice, to serve; Thyme leaves, to garnish

ByHailey Reed December 1, 2025December 1, 2025

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Introduction

Jamaican bully beef is a flavorful, comforting dish made with spiced corned beef and aromatic vegetables. It’s quick to prepare and perfect served over steamed white rice for a satisfying meal with a Caribbean twist.

A white bowl filled with a two-layered dish, where the bottom layer is fluffy white rice neatly arranged on one side, and the top layer is a chunky, saucy minced beef mixture with visible pieces of red bell pepper, onions, and fresh green herbs scattered on top. The bowl sits on a bright teal cloth, placed on a white marbled textured surface with patterned tiles visible along the edges. To the left of the bowl, a knife and fork with wooden handles rest on the teal cloth, and to the right, there is a small white dish with ground black pepper beside a cup containing a frothy green drink. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 tbsp sunflower oil, for frying
1 onion, finely chopped
1 spring onion, finely sliced
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 whole sprigs thyme
½ scotch bonnet chilli, deseeded and finely chopped (adjust to taste)
1 large tomato, chopped
1 pepper, cored and finely chopped
240g can corned beef
2 tbsp ketchup
Cooked white rice, for serving

Instructions

Step 1: Heat the sunflower oil in a frying pan over medium-low heat. Once hot, add the chopped onion, spring onion, garlic, thyme sprigs, and scotch bonnet chilli. Cook for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions soften slightly.
Step 2: Add the chopped tomato and pepper to the pan. Continue cooking for 4 to 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender and fragrant.
Step 3: Increase the heat to medium-high, then add the corned beef. Break it up with a wooden spoon as it heats through. Stir in the ketchup and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.
Step 4: Cook for an additional 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld and the beef to brown slightly.
Step 5: Serve the bully beef hot over steamed white rice, garnished with extra thyme leaves if desired.

Tips & Variations

Adjust the heat by using less or more scotch bonnet chilli or substitute with milder peppers to suit your spice preference.
For a richer flavor, add a splash of soy sauce or a spoonful of brown sugar when cooking the corned beef.
Try serving with fried dumplings or ground provisions for a more traditional Jamaican meal.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through. This dish does not freeze well due to the texture of the cooked vegetables and corned beef.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with a two-layer dish placed on a white marbled surface with patterned tiles. The bottom layer consists of fluffy white rice filling half of the bowl with a few small green herb leaves scattered on it. The top layer, covering the other half, is a mix of cooked ground meat and diced red bell peppers, sautéed with onions and garnished with fresh green herbs. The bowl rests on a folded blue cloth. To the left of the bowl, there is a knife and fork with wooden handles resting on the blue cloth. On the right, there is a small white plate with black pepper and a glass with a light green drink. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of beef instead of corned beef?

Corned beef is traditional for this dish because of its texture and flavor, but you can substitute with finely diced cooked beef or even canned minced beef if preferred.

Is there a vegetarian version of bully beef?

Yes, you can use textured vegetable protein (TVP) or cooked lentils in place of corned beef for a vegetarian alternative that still captures the spicy, savory flavors.