Senegalese Mafé with Peanut-Spiced Beef and Sweet Potatoes
A rich, creamy West African stew combining tender beef and sweet potatoes in a fragrant peanut and tomato sauce. This african-inspired beef ready in about 120 minutes pairs 1-inch pieces beef chuck, cubed, peanut butter (natural, unsweetened), can canned crushed tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs, 1-inch pieces beef chuck, cubed
- 2 medium (about 1 lb), peeled and cubed sweet potatoes
- 1/2 cup peanut butter (natural, unsweetened)
- 14 oz can canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, grated ginger, fresh
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped for garnish fresh cilantro
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs cubed beef chuck and brown on all sides, about 6-8 minutes. Remove beef and set aside.
- Step 2: Add 1 large diced yellow onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger to the pot. Sauté over medium heat for 4-5 minutes until onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper, cooking for 1 minute to toast the spices.
- Step 4: Return browned beef to the pot and add 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 2 cups beef broth, and 1/2 cup natural peanut butter. Stir well to combine.
- Step 5: Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour until beef is tender.
- Step 6: Add 2 medium peeled and cubed sweet potatoes to the pot. Cover and continue simmering for an additional 20-25 minutes until sweet potatoes are soft and stew is thickened.
- Step 7: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving. Serve with steamed rice or millet.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Senegalese Mafé with Peanut-Spiced Beef and Sweet Potatoes take to make?
Total time is about 120 minutes (20 min prep + 100 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 Senegalese Mafé with Peanut-Spiced Beef and 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 can canned crushed tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Senegalese Mafé with Peanut-Spiced Beef and 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 Senegalese Mafé with Peanut-Spiced Beef and Sweet Potatoes 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 Senegalese Mafé with Peanut-Spiced Beef and Sweet Potatoes?
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.
