Braised Beef Ndolé with Spinach and Peanuts
A hearty Cameroonian stew featuring tender beef simmered in a spicy, nutty sauce made from bitterleaf spinach and crushed peanuts. This african-inspired beef ready in about 105 minutes pairs beef chuck, cubed, peanut butter (natural, unsweetened), medium onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, 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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs beef chuck, cubed
- 4 cups bitterleaf spinach (or substitute with kale), chopped
- 1/2 cup peanut butter (natural, unsweetened)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 scotch bonnet pepper, minced
- 2 medium tomatoes, diced
- 3 tbsp palm oil or vegetable oil
- 3 cups water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp palm oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 diced medium onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 minced scotch bonnet pepper, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and onions are translucent.
- Step 2: Add 1.5 lbs cubed beef chuck and brown on all sides for 5-7 minutes until the exterior is nicely seared.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 diced medium tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes until softened.
- Step 4: Pour in 3 cups water, add 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour until beef is tender.
- Step 5: Add 4 cups chopped bitterleaf spinach and 1/2 cup natural peanut butter to the pot, stirring well to combine. Simmer uncovered for another 15 minutes until the sauce thickens and the spinach is tender.
- Step 6: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed. Serve hot with steamed rice or fufu.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Braised Beef Ndolé with Spinach and Peanuts take to make?
Total time is about 105 minutes (15 min prep + 90 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 Braised Beef Ndolé with Spinach and Peanuts?
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, cubed from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Braised Beef Ndolé with Spinach and Peanuts?
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 Braised Beef Ndolé with Spinach and Peanuts for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Braised Beef Ndolé with Spinach and Peanuts?
African 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.
