Plantain and Groundnut Stew with Tomato and Chili

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-09 · Updated 2026-06-09

A comforting Cameroonian-inspired stew combining sweet ripe plantains with a savory groundnut and tomato base, enlivened by fresh chili. This African-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs natural peanut butter (unsweetened), tomatoes, pureed, onion, finely chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 430 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

• 3 medium ripe plantains, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (unsweetened)
• 2 cups tomatoes, pureed
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 fresh garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
• 1 small hot chili pepper, chopped
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Dutch ovens worth buying for low-and-slow cooking → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp minced fresh ginger, and 1 small chopped hot chili pepper. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until fragrant and the onion is translucent.
2. Step 2: Pour in 2 cups pureed tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens and deepens in color.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup natural peanut butter, mixing well to combine evenly with the tomato base.
4. Step 4: Add 3 cups water, 3 medium peeled and chunked ripe plantains, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes until the plantains are tender and the sauce is thick and creamy.
5. Step 5: Adjust seasoning with extra salt or pepper as desired. Serve hot with steamed rice or crusty bread.