Jamaican Curry Goat
Celebration Time!
Curry goat is an all-time favourite Jamaican food. It’s popular on restaurant lunch menus, Sunday dinner tables and most of all – at special events. Curry goat tends to always make the menu whether Jamaicans are celebrating a wedding, birthday, Christmas, or most of all an exciting family get-together.
One should visit rural Jamaica to experience curry goat prepared in the most authentic way. There, the cooking process is typically from farm to plate and begins with the butchering of a fat and healthy goat. The goat would then be stewed to perfection (often on a wood-fire) and served to eagerly waiting guests – ‘Pluto Shervington’ style! In Jamaica, whenever a goat is butchered, the whole goat is used to prepare the meal. So celebrations would kick off with a cup of hot and peppery goat head and belly soup (mannish water), then close with a plate of rich, spicy curry goat stew often served with a side of white rice. To this day, whenever there’s an event that caters to Jamaicans, the host knows it’s best to have a big pot of curry goat ready to keep every one happy.
Which Makes the Best Curry Goat – Local or Imported Goat Meat?
No matter where you are in the world, farm fresh is always best. That’s why local meat and produce are sold at a premium anywhere you are in the world. The quality of fresh local produce is usually high, and those who love it, and can afford it will buy it.
Despite locally (Jamaican) sourced goat ’stew’ meat being significantly more expensive than its imported counterpart, many Jamaicans prefer it. In fact, I know many Jamaicans who have such a strong preference for local goat that no other option exists when cooking curry goat. Jamaican curry goat is most lauded for its rich pungent flavour that tantalizes the nostrils and makes the mouth-water. Local goat is also meatier which some people find appetizing and satisfying.
However, imported goat meat makes delicious curry goat too. Compared to local goat meat, it’s more tender, more affordable and more available, especially when you’re outside Jamaica.
When it comes to choosing local versus imported goat meat for your curry goat, it all boils down to personal preference. If you want a rich authentic Jamaican taste and can find local goat, choose local. If you love bony meat and prefer a more delicate taste, choose imported goat meat. Either way, you can’t go wrong with my flavourful curry goat recipe.
Curry Goat Cooking Tips
For me, great-tasting curry goat is achieved through the right combination of herbs and spices. Here are my three tips when cooking Jamaican curry goat:
- It’s best to marinate your seasoned goat meat up to eight hours in the refrigerator.
- Curry goat can take up to 3 hours to cook. To reduce cooking time, half cook the goat meat in a pressure cooker.
- ‘Burn the curry’ by sautéing about a tablespoon of curry powder before cooking your goat. This process releases more of the curry flavour and colour.
If you’d love to see a step-by-step video on how to cook juicy, tender, well-seasoned Jamaican Curry Goat, you’re at the right place! I’ve gone ahead and added a detailed video for you below. Please give my recipe a try and let me know how it works for you by coming back to leave a Rating & Review. Thanks in advance!
Enjoy your curry goat with white rice, rice and peas or ground provision. Complete this meal with my refreshing Pineapple Ginger drink.
Di BEST Jamaican Curry Goat Recipe! (by Roxy Chow Down)
Ingredients
- 2 kg goat stew meat (bone-in) cut into 2-inch pieces. I like to use the shoulder cut.
- 1 tbsp soya sauce msg-free
Dry seasoning
- 3 tbsp curry powder
- 2 tsp cumin powder
- 2 tsp salt levelled or to taste
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp fennel seeds optional
- 1 tsp dried thyme leaves
- 1 tsp allspice powder
- 2 tsp onion powder unsalted
- 2 tsp garlic powder unsalted
- 2 tsp ginger powder
- 2 tsp paprika optional
Fresh seasoning
- 1 inch-thick ginger root crushed
- ½ medium scotch bonnet pepper de-seeded, (to taste)
- ½ small tomato diced (optional)
- 1 medium white or yellow onion chopped
- 6 cloves garlic crushed and chopped
- ½ large bell pepper diced
- 1 bunch thyme
- 2 stalks scallion chopped
- 8 - 10 pimento seeds
Gravy thickener
- 1 medium irish potato diced
- ½ cube chicken bouillon MSG free
Pre-Cook (To burn the curry)
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
- 1 tbsp curry powder for burning
- 1 tsp butter optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl, rinse the goat stew in vinegar, lime or lemon juice then drain completely.
- Season the goat stew with soya sauce, salt, black pepper, curry powder, cumin powder, allspice, fennel seeds, pimento seeds, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder and ginger powder.
- Prep (cut up) the fresh seasoning (onion, garlic, thyme, bell pepper, ginger root, scallion, scotch bonnet pepper, tomato) and separate the fresh seasoning into 2 equal parts.
- Add half the portion of fresh seasoning to the goat stew and mix in well.
- Set aside the second portion of fresh seasoning to use later in the cooking process.
- Cover the seasoned goat stew and let it marinate in the refrigerator for 6 - 8 hours or move immediately to the next step.
- Heat the cooking oil and butter on medium-low heat in a large skillet.
- Immediately add 1 tbsp. of the curry powder and stir quickly and thoroughly for approximately 10 seconds.
- Add the seasoned goat stew, stir for 30 seconds, cover the pot and let it cook on medium heat for 3 minutes.
- Next, add enough warm water to cover the goat stew. Cover the pot and let cook on high heat for 2 ½ to 3 hours.
- Remember to check and stir the pot every 10 minutes, ensuring the water doesn’t dry out too much.
- Each time your water runs low, add more boiling water to completely cover the goat stew until the meat is cooked.
- After approximately 2 ¾ hours, test a small piece of the goat stew to see if it has the desired texture (if it is tender enough for your liking).
- When the goat meat is completely soft/cooked, add the chopped irish potatoes, the second portion of fresh seasoning and 2 cups water. Cover and cook on medium-high heat for a further 8 -10 minutes.
- Taste the gravy. If it needs more flavour or salt, add the half cube of chicken bouillon.
- Reduce heat to medium, stir the pot, then cover it. Cook the curry goat for another 5 minutes. leave it uncovered to allow the gravy to thicken (approximately 5 minutes).
- After 5 minutes, stir the pot and check the consistency of the gravy. If the gravy is too thin, uncover the pot and allow it to thicken.
- When the gravy has the desired consistency, turn the burner off, re-cover the pot, and allow the curry goat to soak up all the delicious flavours from the gravy! (3 minutes)
- Serve hot with rice, roti or boiled ground provisions, then bless up and enjoy it!
- Please remember to come back to leave a 5-STAR rating and a review, to show how much you enjoyed this recipe and give me some love and support! Thanks in advance 🙂
Came across this recipe last night, made it today for dinner. Mmmmm! so good I will be making it
again. Next, I am going to try the Oxtail. Can’t wait 😋😋😋
Hi Lorna, thanks so much for your feedback. I’m so happy that you enjoyed the recipe and gave it a 5-star rating woo-hoo!!! 🎉😘. Can’t wait for you to try the Oxtail and give your feedback. Bless Up
My favourite, you are the curry specialist 👏👏💞
Thanks Sheenz! Curry is one of my all-time favourite foods so I go hard with each recipe and always try to improve them. Really appreciate the 5-star rating. xoxo
Just want to confirm step #9…cook on High heat?
I will be marinating the goat tomorrow evening and plan to cook this great looking recipe the next day for lunch.
Hi Kirsty, I’m excited for you to cook this dish! Yes, the curry goat should cook on high heat for 2 1/2 to 3 hrs. But make sure to stir the pot often to prevent the meat from sticking. Another important thing is to ensure the water doesn’t run low. Top up the water to cover the meat each time it runs low until the meat gets tender. (Check out my video on YouTube to see how I do it!) Hope this helps & Happy Cooking!! Enjoy it.
Thank you for your recipe. I just watched your youtube directions, and there was a tomato you don’t mention here. Do I put it with the goat in the beginning or add it with the the second portion of chopped seasoning?
Also please tell me when do I add fennel seeds and pimento seeds?
Where I live it is hard to find Jamaican curry powder. Do you recommend I order some online (what kind do you like), or try to make some myself (recipe please!).
I can’t wait to make this. It looks wonderful.
Hi Judi,
Thanks for reaching out. The tomatoes are to be included with the fresh seasoning at the beginning and at the end.
The fennel and pimento seeds are included only at the beginning with the dry seasonings. As for the curry powder, here is a link ( https://amzn.to/2UD0krl ) to one of my favourite that you can get on amazon. (This is an affiliate link and I get a commission when you purchase at no extra cost to you).
I really hope this helped and you enjoy your curry goat to the max. Remember to come back and let me know how it goes.
Bless up!
I made this recipe this evening for my brother’s birthday and it was amazing! Curry goat is one of my favourite things to eat but I was nervous to make it badly myself. I had looked up quite a few recipes and this one was the best, so good to split the fresh ingredients to lift it towards the end. I doubled the recipe as I used 4kg of meat and made my own spice blend which was good but forgot to add the fennel seeds, also added some tomato puree and left out the potato, as I served it with rice and peas and some okra. Thank you for the recipe it was great, watched your video too which was helpful!
I was cooking to impress so I needed the perfect recipe. I tried this one and my guests were very amazed.
My uncle from the Caribbean said this was the best curry goat he had ever had and wanted to know what I did to get it perfect. All of this lady’s tips were spot on, especially the one about adding the second seasoning. Honestly, next level curry 🍛 goat. She is one hell of a chef! Thank you so much, I will be using more recipes from you! Thank you for sharing your beautiful heritage!
Hi Iksie!!
BIG HUGS & BIG THANKS for taking the time to leave this beautiful review of my Curry Goat recipe with a 5-STAR rating! Congrats on impressing your uncle so much:) You know you did WELL when someone from the Caribbean asks you for your secret cooking tips lol. It’s a pleasure sharing my recipes, and your feedback is the icing on the cake. Looking forward to you trying more of my dishes and letting me know how it works out! Lots of love & blessings.
Hi, I. About to attempt this recipe for the first time (fingers crossed it comes out OK) in the video it mentions Paprika but in the recipe above it doesn’t, so not sure how important the paprika actually is, could you help please, as I’d hate to mess it up
Thanks
John
Hi John,
Thanks for reaching out! The paprika is optional so no biggy if you don’t have it. I will update the recipe to reflect that. The tomatoes are optional as well, but try to add everything else that I’ve listed. Be sure to get the cumin powder and chicken bouillon. As I improve my recipes I make the additions here on my website. Please don’t worry about preparing this Curry Goat recipe, as long as you follow my video step-by-step you’ll do very well 🙂 Remember to come back to let me know how it goes, okay? Happy Cooking and enjoy it!!
Roxy, thank you for your help with this, I made this last night, and it was absolutely phenomenal, gonna dish up to all the family tonight when I get home, they are so excited.
Thank you also for your added support via email I really appreciated it.
Thanks
John x
Hello my friend!
You’re so welcome. It was a pleasure guiding you through this recipe. I’m so happy for you!! Imagine becoming a Jamaican Curry Goat Master Chef on your first try! lol I know your family will enjoy your ‘spicy’ creation immensely 🙂 Thanks so much for taking the time to leave your lovely review and to give my recipe a 5 -STAR rating. Really appreciate your support.
Bless up every time
Roxy xoxo
I tried this recipe step by step it was easy to follow and It turned out amazing. This was my first time making this dish and my husband said it well made .thank you for sharing
Hi Roxy just wanted to say thank you for sharing your curry goat Recipe I have been looking for a nice curry goat Recipe tried a few online but was no good got a few recipes books as well but yours is by far 1 of the best if not the best easy to follow instructions even for the people who couldn’t cook like myself when I did this recipe for the family they were shocked that I did this amazing meal thanks to you. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you so much this recipe was amazing! I had to cook it for over 3 hours but it was so tasty and tender. Its my first time making curried goat or any other carribean meal so I’m unbelievably impressed.
Have tried many curry goat recipes. This is by far the most authentic tasting, flavorful and hearty Jamaican curry goat I have ever tasted. Love the added layer of the fresh vegetables cooked towards the end. It really added an additional dimension of flavor. Wow, wow, wow!!! Thanks
Frank
Have tried many curry goat recipes. This is by far the most authentic tasting, flavorful and hearty Jamaican curry goat I have ever tasted. Love the added layer of the fresh vegetables cooked towards the end. It really added an additional dimension of flavor. Wow, wow, wow!!! Thanks
Frank
Hi Frank,
You are most welcome!!! I am happy you enjoy my Jamaican Curry Goat recipe and truly appreciate your glowing review! Thank you too for the 5-star rating 🙂
Please make sure to try others…(hint, hint – Jamaican Oxtail Recipe with Rice and Peas), and let me know how it works for you.
Lots of love and blessings!
Curry goat is my husband favorite and this is now his favorite dish I’ve made. I done made it 3 times this week alone 😂 Thank you so much for sharing.
Oh wow Jennifer, your husband is hooked now! Please go easy though and cook the curry goat maybe twice a week…allow him to miss it lol
On a serious note, curry goat can be very oily so cook this recipe sparingly.
Thank you so much for leaving a review and giving this recipe a 5-star rating.
Lots of love and blessings!!
I’ve cooked many curry goat in my time, but this specific recipe and instructions I followed tonight. It’s now 2am I’m at the final stages preparing your other recipe ( ride and peas) I’ve got to say 1) my flat smells truly amazing. 2) this recipe has knocked it out the ball park for me and will be the only recipe I use moving forward 3) your instructions are so clear and useful too
Thank you goddess for sharing this wisdom this recipe is forever saved and will be my now go to recipe I learn off by heart and use forever it smells and also tastes amazing
Like dribble from the mouth good
Big up x
Hello Roxy. I’m so if this is a stupid question, in the list of dry ingredients you say 3 tbsp of curry powder and for the “burning” step you add 1 tbsp of curry. Do you use 1 tbsp from the 3 tbsp of curry or is it additional totalling to 4 tbsp of curry altogether?
Hi Della, so sorry for the late reply. Use 1 tablespoon for the burning step (lightly heat the curry powder in oil for a few seconds then add your seasoned meat). The 3 tablespoons of curry powder is for seasoning your goat meat. I hope this is clear. If not, take a look at my YouTube video and that should help. Happy Cooking!!