Senegalese Tomato and Peanut Stew with Sweet Potatoes

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting West African stew combining rich tomato sauce with creamy peanut butter and tender sweet potatoes, seasoned with smoky spices. This african-inspired vegan (vegetarian) ready in about 50 minutes pairs medium, chopped yellow onions, large, chopped plum tomatoes, natural peanut butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 African cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 2 chopped medium yellow onions, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger. Sauté for 5 minutes until the onions are translucent and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 5 chopped large plum tomatoes, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp cumin powder, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes (optional). Cook for 8 minutes until the tomatoes break down and the mixture thickens.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 peeled and cubed medium sweet potatoes and pour in 3 cups vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup natural peanut butter until fully incorporated and the stew is creamy. Simmer for another 5 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat, sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro over the stew, and serve warm with fluffy white rice or flatbread.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Senegalese Tomato and Peanut Stew with Sweet Potatoes take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (10 min prep + 40 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 Tomato and 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 medium, chopped yellow onions from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Senegalese Tomato and 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 Senegalese Tomato and 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.

Is Senegalese Tomato and Peanut Stew with Sweet Potatoes vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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