Slow-Cooked African Peanut Stew with Sweet Potatoes
A rich and hearty African-inspired stew combining sweet potatoes and creamy peanut butter with warm spices for a comforting meal. This african-inspired new year (vegan) ready in about 50 minutes pairs large, diced onion, minced garlic cloves, fresh, grated ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.
Ingredients
- 2 medium (about 500g), peeled and diced into 1-inch cubes sweet potatoes
- 1 large, diced onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp fresh, grated ginger
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/3 cup natural peanut butter
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped, for garnish fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large diced onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and soft.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook while stirring for 2 minutes to deepen flavor.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes and 4 cups vegetable broth, then add 2 medium diced sweet potatoes (about 500g).
- Step 5: Season with 1 tsp cumin powder, 1 tsp coriander powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 6: Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender.
- Step 7: Stir in 1/3 cup natural peanut butter until well combined and simmer another 5 minutes to thicken.
- Step 8: Serve hot garnished with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked African Peanut Stew with Sweet Potatoes take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Slow-Cooked African 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 large, diced onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked African 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 Slow-Cooked African 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 Slow-Cooked African Peanut Stew with Sweet Potatoes vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made it for my family and they couldn't stop raving. The recipe is so simple and delicious.
- ★★★★★
Loved it! Perfect for a cozy night in. The peanut flavor was rich but not overpowering.
- ★★★★★
This stew was a hit at my New Year's dinner! The sweet potatoes melted in my mouth.