Jamaican Style Pumpkin Rice

Preparation time: 10 min

Cooking time: 30 min

By Grace Foods Kitchen

Grace Foods Kitchen

Oct 22, 2026

Method

Ingredients

Method

Step 1: SAUTÉ AROMATICS

Heat oil in a heavy-based pot. Add diced onion and cook 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.

Step 2: ADD PUMPKIN

Add cubed pumpkin. Stir to combine with aromatics. Cook for 3–4 minutes, allowing the pumpkin to soften slightly — this helps it mash into the rice as it cooks, creating the golden colour.

Step 3: ADD LIQUIDS AND RICE

Pour in Grace Coconut Milk and water. Add whole scotch bonnet, thyme and salt. Stir in rinsed rice and Grace Pumpkin Soup Mix. Bring to a boil, stirring once.

Step 4: SIMMER COVERED

Reduce heat to lowest setting. Cover tightly — do not lift the lid. Simmer for 20–22 minutes until all liquid is absorbed.

Step 5: REST, FLUFF AND SERVE

Remove from heat. Leave lid on 5 minutes. Remove scotch bonnet and thyme. Fluff gently with a fork — pumpkin pieces partially mash through the rice, giving a beautiful golden colour throughout.

Serving instructions

Partially cooking pumpkin before adding rice is what creates the golden colour throughout. Cho cho (chayote) pumpkin is traditional but butternut squash works perfectly. Grace Coconut Milk adds richness — do not substitute.

Serving instructions

Ingredients

Servings

Grace Coconut Milk, x1.25 cup

Grace Long grain white rice, washed, x14.1 oz

Jamaican pumpkin or butternut squash, peeled and cubed, x10.6 oz

Water, x1.35 cup

White onion, diced, x1.0 count

Garlic, minced, x3.0 Cloves

Scotch bonnet pepper, whole, x1.0 count

Fresh thyme, x2.0 springs

Salt, x1.0 tsp