Braised Tanzanian Beef with Pilau Spice

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-11 · Updated 2026-06-11

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Tender beef braised slowly with aromatic pilau spices, tomatoes, and onions, creating a rich stew perfect for pairing with rice or flatbread. This African-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 140 minutes, pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, onion, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 120 min Serves 4 African cuisine 450 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1.5 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 medium, sliced onion
4, minced garlic cloves
2 tbsp pilau spice mix
1 can (14 oz) canned diced tomatoes
3 tbsp vegetable oil
2 cups beef broth
1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
to taste salt
1 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs beef chuck cubes and brown on all sides for about 6-8 minutes, then remove and set aside.
Step 2: In the same pot, add 2 medium sliced onions and sauté for 7 minutes until golden and caramelized.
Step 3: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp pilau spice mix, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 4: Add 1 can (14 oz) canned diced tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the mixture thickens.
Step 5: Return the browned beef to the pot, pour in 2 cups beef broth, and bring to a boil.
Step 6: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours until beef is tender and sauce has thickened.
Step 7: Season with salt to taste and 1 tsp black pepper. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro just before serving.
Step 8: Serve hot with steamed rice or chapati flatbread to soak up the flavorful sauce.