Maasai-Inspired Beef and Sweet Potato Stew

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

A hearty, slow-cooked stew with tender beef and earthy sweet potatoes, simmered in a rich broth. This kenyan-inspired slow cooker ready in about 500 minutes pairs pounds beef chuck, medium, peeled and cubed sweet potatoes, medium, sliced carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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: 480 min Serves 6 Kenyan cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 1.5 pounds beef chuck (cut into 1-inch cubes) in a slow cooker. Add 1 large chopped onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, and 1 teaspoon paprika. Stir to coat.
  2. Step 2: Pour 4 cups beef broth over the beef and vegetables. Add 3 medium peeled and cubed sweet potatoes and 2 medium sliced carrots.
  3. Step 3: Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme and 1 teaspoon salt.
  4. Step 4: Cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are soft.
  5. Step 5: Stir gently to combine. Adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed. Discard thyme stems if not finely chopped.
  6. Step 6: Serve hot, spooning stew over crusty bread or with a side of plain rice.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Maasai-Inspired Beef and Sweet Potato Stew take to make?

Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 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 Maasai-Inspired Beef and Sweet Potato 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 pounds beef chuck from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Maasai-Inspired Beef and Sweet Potato 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 Maasai-Inspired Beef and Sweet Potato 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 Maasai-Inspired Beef and Sweet Potato Stew?

Kenyan slow cooker 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.

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