Braised Nigerian-Style Spiced Goat Stew

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A deeply flavorful goat stew simmered with traditional West African spices and fresh tomatoes for a rich, hearty meal. This African-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 140 minutes, pairs goat meat, vegetable oil, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 120 min Serves 6 African cuisine 420 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Step 2: Add 2 lbs cubed goat meat and brown on all sides for about 8 minutes, then remove and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same pot, add 1 large diced onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 inch grated ginger root, and 1 finely chopped scotch bonnet pepper; sauté for 5 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 3 chopped fresh tomatoes, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1 tbsp curry powder; cook for 4 minutes until tomatoes break down and the mixture thickens.
  5. Step 5: Return browned goat meat to the pot, pour in 2 cups beef broth and 1 cup water, add 2 bay leaves, 1.5 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper.
  6. Step 6: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 2 hours or until the goat is tender and the sauce has thickened.
  7. Step 7: Remove bay leaves and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Braised Nigerian-Style Spiced Goat Stew take to make?

Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 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 Nigerian-Style Spiced Goat Stew?

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 goat meat from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Braised Nigerian-Style Spiced Goat Stew?

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 Nigerian-Style Spiced Goat Stew for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Nigerian-Style Spiced Goat Stew?

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.

Related recipes