Githeri Maize and Bean Stew with Beef Stew Meat

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-10-09 · Updated 2026-10-09

Githeri is Kenya's beloved one-pot stew of hominy-style maize and red kidney beans. Here it is simmered with browned beef stew meat, carrots and tomatoes for a filling, protein-rich dinner. This Kenyan-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 100 minutes, pairs vegetable oil, onion, chopped, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 430 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 lb beef stew meat (chuck), cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 1.5 cups dried / 2 cans dried whole maize (or canned hominy, drained)
• 1 cup dried / 2 cans dried red kidney beans (or canned, drained)
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 medium potato, diced
• 1 beef bouillon cube
• 1 tsp curry powder
• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: If using dried maize and beans, soak them overnight, then boil together in fresh water for 2 hours until tender. Drain. If using canned, skip this step.
2. Step 2: Heat the oil in a large pot and brown the beef cubes in batches, about 6 minutes per batch. Set aside.
3. Step 3: Cook the onion in the same pot for 5 minutes, then add the garlic and curry powder and cook for 1 minute.
4. Step 4: Add the tomatoes and cook until they soften into a sauce, about 5 minutes.
5. Step 5: Return the beef, add the water and crumbled bouillon cube, cover and simmer for 45 minutes.
6. Step 6: Add the carrots, potato, maize and beans. Simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the stew has thickened.
7. Step 7: Season with salt, stir in the cilantro and serve hot.