Mali-Style Peanut Stew with Sweet Potatoes
A vibrant West African stew featuring rich peanut butter, sweet potatoes, and garden vegetables, slow-simmered to perfection with aromatic spices. This west african-inspired one pot ready in about 50 minutes pairs fresh peanut butter, chicken stock, (14 oz) can, undrained diced tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.
Ingredients
- 2 medium, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes sweet potatoes
- 3 tbsp fresh peanut butter
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 (14 oz) can, undrained diced tomatoes
- 1 large, finely chopped onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tbsp cassava flour
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp coconut oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sautéing for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent browning.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 tbsp fresh peanut butter and 1/2 tsp dried thyme, cooking for 1 minute while stirring constantly until smooth and aromatic.
- Step 3: Add diced sweet potatoes, diced tomatoes (with juice), chicken stock, and 2 tsp fresh thyme. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and cover. Cook for 20 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Step 4: Whisk 1 tbsp cassava flour with 2 tbsp cold water to create a slurry. Stir into the stew and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 5: Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, stirring until fully dissolved. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mali-Style Peanut Stew with Sweet Potatoes take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Mali-Style Peanut Stew with Sweet Potatoes?
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 fresh peanut butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mali-Style Peanut Stew with Sweet Potatoes?
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 Mali-Style Peanut Stew with Sweet Potatoes for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Mali-Style Peanut Stew with Sweet Potatoes?
West African one pot 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
- ★★☆☆☆
The proportions seem off. Way too much of some ingredients.
