Slow-Cooked Caribbean Jerk Beef with Sweet Potato Mash

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Rich, tender beef slow-cooked in a spicy Caribbean jerk marinade paired with creamy sweet potato mash for a comforting meal. This caribbean-inspired beef ready in about 495 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, jerk seasoning, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 Caribbean cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 3 tbsp jerk seasoning, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp grated ginger, 3 chopped scallions, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp lime juice, and 1 tbsp brown sugar. Rub this marinade all over 2 lbs beef chuck roast. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  2. Step 2: Place the marinated beef in a slow cooker with 1 cup water. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours until beef is fork-tender.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, boil 2 large peeled and cubed sweet potatoes in salted water for 15-20 minutes until fork-tender. Drain and mash with 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until smooth.
  4. Step 4: When beef is done, shred it with two forks directly in the slow cooker and mix with the cooking juices.
  5. Step 5: Serve the shredded jerk beef over the sweet potato mash, spooning extra sauce on top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Caribbean Jerk Beef with Sweet Potato Mash take to make?

Total time is about 495 minutes (15 min prep + 480 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Slow-Cooked Caribbean Jerk Beef with Sweet Potato Mash?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep beef chuck roast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Caribbean Jerk Beef with Sweet Potato Mash?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Slow-Cooked Caribbean Jerk Beef with Sweet Potato Mash for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Slow-Cooked Caribbean Jerk Beef with Sweet Potato Mash?

Caribbean beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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