Simmered Coconut-Curry Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant, one-pot stew featuring tender beef and sweet potatoes in a creamy coconut curry broth, ideal for a comforting weeknight dinner. This east african-inspired one pot ready in about 115 minutes pairs beef chuck, medium sweet potatoes, (13.5 oz) coconut milk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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: 25 min Cook: 90 min Serves 4 East African cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. In a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add 1 tbsp olive oil and sear the beef in batches until browned on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per batch; set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add the chopped onion to the Dutch oven and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, grated ginger, and 2 tbsp curry powder, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the diced sweet potatoes, green beans, vegetable broth, and coconut milk, then return the seared beef to the pot. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  4. Step 4: Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 1.5 hours, or until the beef is tender and the sweet potatoes are cooked through.
  5. Step 5: Season with remaining salt and black pepper. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Simmered Coconut-Curry Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes take to make?

Total time is about 115 minutes (25 min prep + 90 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 Simmered Coconut-Curry Beef 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 beef chuck from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Simmered Coconut-Curry Beef 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 Simmered Coconut-Curry Beef 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.

What goes well with Simmered Coconut-Curry Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes?

East African one pot 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.

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