If you have been hunting for a comforting dish that combines earthy warmth with a burst of nutty richness, then the African Peanut Stew Recipe will be your new best friend in the kitchen. This stew is a luscious blend of tender meat or hearty legumes, sweet potatoes, and a luxurious peanut sauce that feels like a warm hug on a chilly evening. Its vibrant flavors, beautiful textures, and nourishing qualities make it a standout meal perfect for sharing and savoring any time of the year.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple, wholesome ingredients come together to create this unforgettable African Peanut Stew Recipe. Each element plays an important role, from the creamy peanut butter adding depth and richness, to the sweet potatoes bringing a natural sweetness and satisfying bite.
- Tomato sauce or diced canned tomatoes: Provides a tangy, bright base that balances the richness of the peanut butter.
- Natural creamy peanut butter: The star of the dish, giving the stew its signature nutty and velvety character.
- Smoked paprika: Adds subtle smokiness and warmth that elevates the flavor profile.
- Ground coriander: Offers an aromatic note that complements the earthiness of the stew perfectly.
- Cayenne pepper (optional): For those who like a little kick, it adds a gentle heat that wakes up the senses.
- Sea salt and black pepper: Essential seasonings that bring out all the flavors harmoniously.
- Cooking oil: Helps to brown the meat and sauté vegetables, building layers of flavor.
- Stew meat (chicken or beef): Provides protein and hearty texture; can be swapped for chickpeas or lentils for vegetarian options.
- Chopped onion: Serves as a flavorful foundation in the stew.
- Minced garlic and fresh ginger: Infuse the dish with bright, aromatic spices.
- Sweet potatoes: Tender and naturally sweet, they add wonderful texture and color.
- Sliced carrots: Optional, for extra crunch and subtle sweetness.
- Broth: Keeps the stew perfectly saucy while contributing savory depth.
- Spinach leaves: Adds freshness, color, and a nutritious boost at the end of cooking.
How to Make African Peanut Stew Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Peanut Sauce
Start by blending together tomato sauce or diced tomatoes with the creamy peanut butter, smoked paprika, ground coriander, salt, pepper, and cayenne if using. This sauce is the heart of the dish, marrying tangy tomato brightness with rich peanuts and warming spices. If you don’t have a blender handy, whisk everything until smooth in a bowl. Set the sauce aside while you prepare the rest.
Step 2: Brown the Meat and Sauté Aromatics
Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. If you’re using stew meat, brown it on all sides for about five minutes—it locks in flavor and adds a delicious caramelized depth. Remove the meat, then add onion to the pot and sauté until soft and fragrant. Toss in minced garlic and fresh ginger, cooking for another minute or two to release their wonderful aroma.
Step 3: Combine Vegetables, Sauce, and Broth
Next, add the sweet potatoes and carrots to the pot and stir well. Pour in the peanut sauce you prepared earlier along with the broth. Stir to combine everything evenly. Return the browned meat to the pot if using. This is the moment all the ingredients start melding into a rich, hearty stew that will soon be full of soul-satisfying flavor.
Step 4: Simmer Until Tender
Cover the pot and simmer gently for 40 to 60 minutes. This slower cooking tenderizes the meat and softens the sweet potatoes to the perfect texture. Keep an eye on the stew and add a bit more broth if it’s looking too thick. As the stew cooks, swirl in the spinach toward the last few minutes until wilted and vibrant.
How to Serve African Peanut Stew Recipe
Garnishes
Topping your African Peanut Stew Recipe with a few select garnishes transforms it from hearty comfort food into a dazzling meal. Sprinkle chopped roasted peanuts on top for delightful crunch and extra peanut flavor. A handful of fresh cilantro leaves adds a burst of green freshness that brightens every bite.
Side Dishes
This stew shines when spooned over a bed of fluffy cooked rice or quinoa, balancing the thick sauce beautifully. These sides soak up the luscious peanut broth, making every mouthful satisfying and complete. For more texture, consider serving alongside warm, crusty bread or even a simple green salad to lighten the plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the African Peanut Stew Recipe in individual bowls lined with banana leaves or small earthenware pots for an authentic touch. Layer it over roasted vegetables for a hearty bowl or use it as a vibrant filling for stuffed peppers to impress friends at your next gathering.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your stew, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making the second serving even better. Keep refrigerated for up to four days to maintain freshness and taste.
Freezing
This African Peanut Stew Recipe freezes beautifully. Pour cooled stew into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving space for expansion. You can keep it frozen for up to three months without losing the rich, comforting flavors.
Reheating
When it’s time for another stew fix, gently reheat your leftovers on the stove over low heat. Adding a splash of broth helps loosen the sauce for a perfect consistency. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure the stew warms evenly, restoring its comforting embrace.
FAQs
Can I make this stew vegetarian or vegan?
Absolutely! Simply swap the meat for canned chickpeas or cooked lentils to keep it hearty and plant-based. The peanut butter sauce provides richness, making it just as satisfying without animal protein.
Is this stew spicy?
The recipe includes cayenne pepper for subtle heat, but it is entirely optional. You can adjust the spice level to your preference by omitting cayenne or adding fresh chili peppers or chili flakes for an extra kick.
What can I serve instead of rice?
Quinoa is a great gluten-free alternative that pairs wonderfully with the stew. For a lower-carb option, cauliflower rice or steamed greens also complement the flavors nicely.
Can I prepare this stew in a slow cooker?
Yes, this African Peanut Stew Recipe works beautifully in a crock pot. Just combine all ingredients, cook on low for 4½ to 5 hours or on high for about 3 hours, and you’ll have a tender, flavorful meal with minimal effort.
How do I thicken the stew if it seems too watery?
Simply simmer the stew uncovered during the last 10 minutes of cooking. This will reduce the liquid and thicken the sauce while enhancing the flavors.
Final Thoughts
You really can’t go wrong giving this African Peanut Stew Recipe a try. It’s the sort of dish that feels effortlessly cozy and special all at once — perfect for warming up with loved ones or meal prepping for a busy week. Once you experience the harmony of peanuts, spices, and wholesome veggies in every spoonful, this stew will become a treasured staple in your kitchen.
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African Peanut Stew Recipe
This African Peanut Stew is a wholesome, dairy-free, and gluten-free meal packed with rich flavors and nourishing ingredients. Perfect for feeding a crowd, it features tender stew meat, sweet potatoes, and spinach in a creamy, spiced peanut sauce. Versatile cooking options include stove top, slow cooker, or Instant Pot methods, making it a comforting and easy recipe for any home cook. Serve it over rice or quinoa for a complete meal.
- Total Time: 1 hour to 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
Ingredients
Sauce (for crock pot, Instant Pot, and stove top methods)
- 1 cup tomato sauce or plain diced canned tomatoes
- ½ cup natural creamy peanut butter (no stir work best)
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika (adjust as needed)
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander (see note)
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
- ½ teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Stew
- ½ to 1 tablespoon (7–15 ml) cooking oil (use 1 tablespoon if not browning meat)
- 1 pound (450 g) stew meat — chicken or beef
- 1 cup (130 g) chopped onion
- 1 ½ teaspoons minced garlic (about 3 small cloves)
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger or 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 10 ounces (280 g) sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 2 small)
- ⅔ cup (85 g) sliced carrots (optional)
- 2 cups (480 ml) broth, plus more as needed
- 2 cups (60 g) spinach leaves, chopped or 3 cups baby spinach
For Serving (Optional)
- Cooked rice or quinoa
- Chopped roasted peanuts
- Fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Make the Sauce: Combine all sauce ingredients—tomato sauce, peanut butter, smoked paprika, coriander, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper—in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Alternatively, whisk all together in a bowl. Set aside.
- Stovetop Method: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the stew meat (if using) and brown it for about 5 minutes, turning once to cook evenly. Remove the meat and set aside. Add cooking oil to the pot, then sauté the chopped onion for 3 to 4 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in the cubed sweet potatoes and sliced carrots. Add the prepared sauce, broth, and chopped spinach. Return the browned meat to the pot if using. Cover and let simmer for 40 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes are tender and meat is cooked through. Add extra broth if needed for desired consistency.
- Instant Pot Instructions: Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode and add oil. Brown the stew meat if using, then add onion and garlic and cook for about 2 minutes until softened. Stir in the sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, prepared sauce, and broth. Lock the lid and cook on High Pressure for 20 minutes. Allow pressure to naturally release before opening.
- Crock Pot – Slow Cooker Instructions: Prepare the sauce and set aside. Optionally brown meat with onion and garlic in a skillet beforehand to develop flavor. Add the meat, sweet potatoes, carrots, sauce, broth, and spinach to the slow cooker and stir to combine. Cook on Low for 4½ to 5 hours or on High for 3 hours, checking for doneness at around 2 hours. Serve the stew hot over cooked rice or quinoa and top with chopped roasted peanuts, fresh cilantro, and sliced peppers if desired.
Notes
- Coriander Substitute – Use ¾ teaspoon ground cumin if you don’t have ground coriander.
- Make It Vegetarian – Replace meat with 1 (15-ounce / 425 g) can of chickpeas or 1½ cups cooked lentils.
- Adjust the Heat – For milder flavor, omit cayenne pepper. Add chili flakes or fresh peppers for extra spice.
- Thicker Stew – Simmer the stew uncovered during the last 10 minutes of cooking to thicken.
- Storage – Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes to 3 hours (depending on method: 45 min stovetop/Instant Pot, up to 3 hours slow cooker)
- Category: Main
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: African
- Diet: Gluten Free
