Haitian Cuisine is full of rich flavors, colorful ingredients, and comforting dishes passed down through generations. Among these classics, Haitian Rice with Lima Beans, known as Diri ak Pwa Tchous, holds a special place on family tables across the country. Simple yet deeply flavorful, this rice dish brings together earthy lima beans, aromatic epis, and warm spices to create a meal that tastes like home.
A Staple in Haitian Households
Diri ak Pwa Tchous is one of the many variations of Haitian rice-and-bean dishes. While black beans and red beans often take the spotlight, lima beans (pwa tchous) offer a buttery texture and mild flavor that blend beautifully with seasoned rice. Whether served for Sunday dinner, special occasions, or a regular weekday meal, it’s a dish everyone can enjoy.
Key Ingredients
What makes this dish so flavorful is the balance between simple pantry staples and bold Haitian seasonings:
Lima Beans (Pwa Limo): Soft, creamy beans that add body and protein.
Rice: Traditionally long-grain white rice, washed well.
Epis: The iconic Haitian seasoning blend made from herbs, garlic, onions, and spices.
Garlic & Onions: For extra aroma and depth.
Cloves or Thyme: Common in Haitian rice dishes for warmth and earthiness.
Butter or Oil: To bring everything together.
Bouillon Cube (optional): A common Haitian touch for boosting flavor.
How It’s Made?
The process begins by boiling the lima beans until tender. The cooking liquid (rich and slightly creamy from the beans) becomes the flavorful base for the rice. After sautéing onions, garlic, epis, and spices, the bean broth and beans are added back into the pot before folding in the rice.
Once it simmers, the rice absorbs all the aromatics, transforming into a savory, perfectly fluffy pot of Diri ak Pwa Lima.
Tips for Perfect Haitian Rice
Wash your rice well to remove excess starch and keep the grains fluffy.
Don’t rush the simmer. Low and slow gives the best texture.
Taste your broth before adding the rice it should be slightly salty and well-seasoned.
Let the rice rest after cooking so the steam finishes the job.
How to Serve It?
Haitian Rice with Lima Beans pairs well with almost any Haitian main dish, including:
Griot
Fried chicken
Stewed turkey
Bouyon bèf
Legim
Tassot kabrit
Serve it warm with a side of pikliz for the perfect balance of heat and tang.
Why People Love Diri ak Pwa Lima?
This dish represents more than rice and beans it reflects community, family traditions, and the resourcefulness of Haitian cooking. Affordable, filling, and packed with flavor, it’s a recipe passed down with love.
Whether you’re discovering Haitian cuisine for the first time or reconnecting with familiar flavors, Diri ak Pwa Limo is a must-try.
