Braised Nigerian Beef Stew with Tomato and Scotch Bonnet

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-29 · Updated 2026-07-29

A rich and hearty Nigerian-inspired beef stew slow-cooked with fresh tomatoes, peppers, and traditional spices for a comforting meal. This African-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 140 minutes, pairs Beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, Vegetable oil, Fresh tomatoes, blended for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, 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, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
• 3 cups Fresh tomatoes, blended
• 1 large Red bell pepper, blended
• 1 Scotch bonnet pepper, finely chopped
• 1 medium Onion, diced
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp Tomato paste
• 2 cups Beef broth
• 1 tsp Thyme, dried
• 2 Bay leaves
• 1.5 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Black pepper
• 2 tbsp, for garnish Fresh cilantro, chopped

Dutch ovens worth buying for low-and-slow cooking → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs beef chuck cubes and sear until browned on all sides, about 6-8 minutes. Remove beef and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 diced medium onion and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste, 3 cups blended fresh tomatoes, 1 large blended red bell pepper, and 1 finely chopped Scotch bonnet pepper. Cook the mixture for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and darkens.
4. Step 4: Return the beef to the pot, add 2 cups beef broth, 1 tsp dried thyme, 2 bay leaves, 1.5 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours until beef is tender.
5. Step 5: Remove bay leaves, adjust seasoning if needed, and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro before serving with rice or fufu.