Nigerian-Inspired Spicy Ground Beef Stew with Bell Peppers
A hearty, spicy African stew featuring ground beef simmered with vibrant bell peppers and aromatic spices. This african-inspired beef ready in about 45 minutes pairs ground beef, large, diced red bell pepper, large, diced green bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 large, diced red bell pepper
- 1 large, diced green bell pepper
- 1 medium, finely chopped onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, grated ginger root
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium finely chopped onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated ginger root; sauté for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 6-7 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp dried thyme, and cook for 2 minutes to deepen flavors.
- Step 5: Add 1 large diced red bell pepper and 1 large diced green bell pepper, stirring to combine.
- Step 6: Pour in 1 cup beef broth, season with 1 tsp salt and 0.5 tsp black pepper, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes until sauce thickens and peppers soften.
- Step 7: Remove from heat, sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the stew, and serve hot with rice or flatbread.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Nigerian-Inspired Spicy Ground Beef Stew with Bell Peppers take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 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 Nigerian-Inspired Spicy Ground Beef Stew with Bell Peppers?
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 ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Nigerian-Inspired Spicy Ground Beef Stew with Bell Peppers?
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 Nigerian-Inspired Spicy Ground Beef Stew with Bell Peppers 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 Nigerian-Inspired Spicy Ground Beef Stew with Bell Peppers?
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.
