How to Cook with Djon Djon Powder: The Shortcut to Bold Haitian Flavor
If you’ve ever made Djon Djon rice the traditional way, you know it’s a labor of love. Soaking the mushrooms, straining the liquid, simmering the rice — delicious, yes, but definitely not quick. That’s where Djon Djon powder steps in like a hero in your Caribbean kitchen.
Whether you’re short on time or simply want the same deep, earthy Haitian flavor without the wait, Djon Djon powder is your new go-to.
What Is Djon Djon?
Djon Djon (pronounced “jhohn-jhohn”) is a dried black mushroom native to northern Haiti. It’s been a staple in Haitian cuisine for generations, known for infusing rice and stews with a dark, almost black hue and a rich umami flavor.
Traditionally, the mushrooms are soaked in hot water to extract their flavor and color, then the liquid is used to cook rice, often with peas, seafood, or chicken. The result? Diri ak Djon Djon — a dish reserved for special occasions and family feasts.
Why Djon Djon Powder is a Game-Changer
Thanks to brands like Toupur, we now have a modern shortcut: Djon Djon powder. It’s made from ground dried mushrooms and delivers the same rich flavor — no soaking, no straining, no waiting.
Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Quick and easy: Just scoop into your pot and cook
- Bold flavor in less time
- Long shelf life in a resealable bag
- Adds color and umami to rice, grains, stews, soups, and even pasta
- Great for vegan and vegetarian meals
How to Use Djon Djon Powder
General Rule: Use 1 teaspoon per 1 cup of rice.
Want deeper color or a more intense mushroom taste? Add more to taste.
Try it in:
- Haitian-style black mushroom rice
- Bean and grain dishes like rice and peas, quinoa, or bulgur
- Chicken, meat, or seafood stews
- Flavor-boosted pasta sauces or risottos
Get the Recipe: Easy Haitian Djon Djon Rice
You don’t need a special occasion to enjoy this dish anymore.
We’ve created a quick and simple recipe using Toupur Djon Djon Powder so you can enjoy bold Haitian flavor in under 30 minutes.
Check out the recipe below!
Where to Buy Djon Djon Powder
You can grab Toupur Djon Djon Powder at our sister site NouBess.com — your go-to shop for curated Caribbean pantry staples.
Notes & Tips:
- What is Djon Djon Powder? Djon Djon is a traditional Haitian black mushroom known for its rich, earthy flavor and deep black hue. The powder form gives you all the flavor without the soaking or straining. It’s a pantry lifesaver!
- How much Djon Djon to use? A little goes a long way. Start with 1 teaspoon per 1 cup of rice. If you want a darker color or deeper flavor, you can absolutely add a bit more. Taste as you go!
- Epis makes it better: If you have homemade Haitian Epis on hand — use it. It adds a beautiful base of flavor. No Epis? Just sauté onion, scallions, garlic, parsley, and thyme for a quick aromatic base.
- Kick it up with heat: Add a spoonful (or two) of NouBess Hot & Spicy Sauce for a delicious spicy kick. It adds flavor and heat without overpowering the Djon Djon.
- Broth vs. Water: Cooking your rice in vegetable or chicken broth makes the dish even more flavorful. No broth? Use water and season it with low-sodium poultry seasoning or bouillon powder.
- Add your greens: Lima beans or sweet peas give this dish a pop of color and added texture. Frozen or canned both work great — just rinse canned peas to remove excess sodium.
- Let the rice rest: After cooking, let the rice sit covered for 5–10 minutes. This helps everything settle and makes the rice fluffier.
- Make it a meal: This rice pairs perfectly with Poulet en Sauce, Fish in Creole Sauce, Shrimp, or Turkey en Sauce. It’s also amazing with roasted veggies for a plant-based option.
- Leftovers? Yes please. Djon Djon rice tastes even better the next day! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of broth or water.
Final Thoughts
Djon Djon is one of Haiti’s most beloved ingredients, and now it’s easier than ever to enjoy. With Djon Djon powder, you get the full flavor experience without the extra steps.
Perfect for busy cooks, food lovers, and anyone looking to add a taste of Haitian heritage to their meals.
Easy Djon Djon Rice with Mushroom Powder
Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain rice rinsed
- 1 teaspoon Toupur Djon Djon Powder
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable or chicken broth or water + ½ tsp low-sodium poultry seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Haitian Epis or substitute with minced onion, parsley, scallion, thyme, and garlic
- 1/2 tsp NouBess Hot & Spicy Sauce or to taste
- 1 tablespoon oil or butter
- ½ cup lima beans or sweet peas frozen or canned
- ⅛ teaspoon ground whole cloves
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional garnish: sliced scallions or chopped parsley
Instructions
Sauté the aromatics:
- In a medium saucepan, heat the oil or butter over medium heat. Add Haitian epis (or your chopped aromatics) and sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
Add the broth and seasonings:
- Pour in the broth. Stir in the Djon Djon powder, ground cloves, salt, pepper, and NouBess Hot & Spicy Sauce.
Add the rice and beans:
- Stir in the rinsed rice and lima beans or peas. Bring to a gentle boil.
Simmer:
- Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 18–20 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
Fluff and finish:
- Remove from heat and let the rice sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more hot sauce if desired.
Serve and enjoy:
- Pair with Poulet en Sauce à l’Haitienne, turkey, fish, or seafood — or your favorite main dish. This rice is rich, flavorful, and beautifully aromatic with that signature black hue.
Notes
- No Djon Djon mushrooms to soak? No problem — the powder delivers authentic flavor and color with zero prep.
- Don’t skip the NouBess Hot & Spicy Sauce — it adds heat, flavor, and depth in every bite.
- Make it vegan: use vegetable broth and skip animal proteins.
- Poulet en Sauce (Haitian Chicken in Creole Sauce)
- Turkey en Sauce (Perfect for Sunday dinners)
- Stewed Fish or Shrimp
- Or your favorite grilled protein
Nutrition
Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on the products used.
Nutrition info is automatically generated and provided as a courtesy and as an estimate only.
