Senegalese Tomato and Peanut Stew with Sweet Potatoes

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · 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

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.

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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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