Jamaican Brown Stew Turkey Neck

If you love Jamaican oxtail then you will definitely enjoy this recipe. I'm talking pieces of turkey neck that are generously seasoned, seared to lock in that flavour then cooked in the slow cooker for several hours until a rich gravy is formed.

Course Dinner

Cuisine Jamaican

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 4

Total Time 4 30

Servings people

Calories 460kcal

Author Charla

Ingredients

To marinate the meat

2 lb turkey neck (900g) chopped into small pieces
1 tablespoon browning sauce (15g)(only use this amount if using my homemade version, see notes)
2 tablespoon all purpose seasoning (30g) see notes for the link
1 teaspoon black pepper (5g)
½ teaspoon ginger (3g)
½ teaspoon paprika (3g) optional
½ teaspoon onion powder (3g) optional

For searing/slow cooking

1 large onion
4 garlic cloves minced
1 large carrot sliced
1 tablespoon pimento berries (15g)
3 tablespoon olive oil (45g)
3 cups water or turkey/chicken stock (700ml) use hot water
2 tablespoon tomato paste (30g)
1 teaspoon hot sauce (5g)
2 tablespoon browning sauce (30g) only add more if using my homemade version
6 sprigs of thyme tied into a bundle
1 cup butter beans dried (or 1 15oz can, drained) cannellini beans works too.
1 cho cho (christophine) chopped very small
additional black pepper and pink salt if needed

To make the slurry

2 tablespoon tapioca starch (30g)
2 tablespoon warm water (30ml)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Wash the meat as per Caribbean custom (see notes section) and dry it off completely.
In a large bowl, add the turkey neck, all purpose seasoning, black pepper, ginger, paprika and onion powder/granules (if you are using) and 1 tablespoon of browning sauce.
Use your hands to thoroughly coat each piece of turkey neck.
Now fold in the onion, garlic, pimento and carrots.
Wrap the bowl in saran (cling film) and refrigerate overnight or for 3 hours.
On medium heat, add oil to your skillet, scrap the onions, carrots etc... off the meat and proceed to sear and seal the meat (this will take about 10 minutes or so).
Add the ingredients that were in the bowl (onion, garlic, carrots and pimento) and cook the onions until they are soft.
Transfer everything from the skillet into your crockpot.
Pour in your stock/water Stir in the tomato, hot sauce, another 2 tablespoon of browning (only do this if you are using my homemade recipe), tie the thyme leaves into a bundle and add those and dried butter beans if you are using them (canned beans can be added 45 minutes before finishing time)
Place the lid on your crockpot and set on high for 4 hours.
45 minutes before finishing add the canned butter beans, cho cho and the slurry.
Do a taste test/adjust for seasoning/ pink salt if needed.
Remove the thyme stems prior to serving

Stove top version

Wash the the turkey neck and dry it off completely .
Place the turkey neck in a large bowl, then add the all purpose seasoning seasoning, black pepper, onion powder/granules, paprika and the browning sauce then use your hands to coat the meat.
Now fold in the onion, garlic, carrot and pimento berries.
Wrap and refrigerate overnight or for at least 3 hours.
Add the olive oil on medium heat, scrape off the marinade and brown the turkey neck pieces. This should take roughly 10 minutes.
Add the onion, garlic, carrots and pimento from the bowl to the skillet/dutch oven and saute until soft.
Stir in the tomato paste, add 2 more tablespoon of my homemade browning (only do this if using my version) hot sauce, tied thyme and dried butter beans.
Pour 4 cups hot chicken/turkey stock/water in the dutch oven/skillet. Start with 4 cups and add more water, if needed, during cooking time.
Reduce the pot to low heat, cover with lid and cook for 2-3 hours. (If using canned beans, add 45 minutes before finishing.) along with the cho cho. For a thicker stew, mix the starch/water together and stir in the slurry 45 minutes before finishing.
Do a taste test and adjust seasoning/ black pepper and pink salt if required.
Remove the thyme stems before serving

Video

Notes

For best results I would recommend leaving the meat to marinate overnight.
Feel free to serve with Jamaican Steamed Cabbage, Brown Rice or Rice and Peas and Ochro Rice.
If you are using store bought browning use 1 teaspoon for the marinade and another when slow cooking the meat.
Make sure the meat is washed/cleaned with vinegar/lime.
Ask your butcher to cut up the turkey neck, you will want them to be in small pieces about 2 inches is suffice.
Don't forget to use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning and Browning Sauce
Freeze any leftovers or refrigerate and consume within 3 days
Use turkey/chicken stock if you want a rich, deep flavour although typically water is used.
I used a combination of half stock and half water.
Make sure you are using hot water/stock when adding the liquid because cold water can change the texture of the meat.
The amount of pink salt you use is subjective which is why I haven't listed the amount. I used my homemade all purpose seasoning and stock so didn't need to any additional salt.
If you are adding salt I suggest doing this once the stew is finished and adjust salt/seasoning then.
Trim as much of the fat off as you can. I found it easier to use my raw meat kitchen scissors and managed to trim most of it off.
Pimento is known as all spice, if you can't get pimento berries use ground allspice instead.
Use zucchini/courgettes if you cannot obtain cho cho/christophine.

Nutrition