Palm Oil Braised Beef with Sweet Plantains

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-30 · Updated 2026-05-30

Tender beef chunks slowly braised in rich palm oil with aromatic spices, complemented by caramelized sweet plantains for a balanced meal. This African-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 135 minutes, pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, palm oil, onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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

• 1.5 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 tbsp palm oil
• 1 cup onion, diced
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 large ripe plantains, sliced diagonally
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

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

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp palm oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs beef chuck cubes seasoned with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Brown the beef in batches for 4-5 minutes per batch until deeply caramelized on all sides; set aside.
2. Step 2: Lower heat to medium and add 1 cup diced onion, 5 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated ginger to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until onions are translucent and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp ground coriander, and 1 tsp smoked paprika, cooking for 2 minutes until the paste darkens and spices release aroma.
4. Step 4: Return the browned beef to the pot and pour in 2 cups beef broth. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 1.5 hours or until beef is tender.
5. Step 5: While beef simmers, heat 1/2 cup vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry 2 large ripe plantains sliced diagonally for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and caramelized. Drain on paper towels.
6. Step 6: Serve the braised beef hot with the fried sweet plantains on the side.