Guyana Pepper Pot

Savor the bold, aromatic flavors of Guyana with this traditional Pepper Pot recipe—a rich and hearty meat stew that’s a centerpiece of Guyanese cuisine. Perfect for special occasions or festive gatherings, this dish features tender cuts of beef and pork simmered to perfection in cassareep, a unique, dark cassava syrup that lends a deep, slightly sweet, and smoky flavor. Infused with warm spices like cinnamon and cloves, and a fiery kick from wiri wiri or Scotch bonnet peppers, each bite is a true taste of the Caribbean. Slow-cooked for hours, the result is a flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth stew with a glossy, dark sauce that's perfect for sopping up with bread or pairing with rice. This iconic dish captures the essence of Guyanese cooking—rich, comforting, and utterly irresistible.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:210 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 lbs Beef (or a combination of beef and oxtail)
• 1 lb Pork (pork shoulder or trotters)
• 1 cup Cassareep (cassava extract)
• 6 cloves Garlic
• 1 Cinnamon stick
• 6 Clove
• 2 tbsp Brown sugar
• 2 Hot peppers (wiri wiri or scotch bonnet)
• 1 tbsp Thyme leaves
• 1 tsp Salt
• 6 cups Water
• 2 tbsp Vegetable oil

Directions

Step 1

Clean and trim the beef and pork, removing excess fat. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.

Step 2

Heat the vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.

Step 3

Brown the beef and pork in batches, ensuring each piece develops a good sear. Set the browned meat aside.

Step 4

To the same pot, add minced garlic, cinnamon stick, and cloves. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5

Return the browned meat to the pot. Pour in the cassareep and stir to coat the meat evenly.

Step 6

Add the hot peppers, thyme, brown sugar, and salt to the pot.

Step 7

Pour in the water, ensuring the meat is fully submerged. Bring to a boil over high heat.

Step 8

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover. Simmer gently for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally and skimming off any impurities that rise to the surface.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more cassareep or salt to deepen the flavor.

Step 10

Once the meat is tender and infused with the rich, dark sauce, remove from heat.

Step 11

Serve hot with bread or rice, ensuring each portion has plenty of the flavorful sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	3144.1 grams (3144.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4210

Total Fat 292.20g	375%
Saturated Fat 106.50g	533%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.80g
Cholesterol 1052mg	351%
Sodium 3429mg	149%
Total Carbohydrate 153.60g	56%
Dietary Fiber 11.30g	40%
Total Sugars 42.60g
Protein 326.70g	653%

Vitamin D 64IU	318%
Calcium 510mg	39%
Iron 33mg	181%
Potassium 4757mg	101%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 57.8%

Protein: 28.7%

Carbs: 13.5%