Slow-Cooked Kenyan Beef Stew with Peanuts and Sweet Potatoes
A hearty and aromatic beef stew simmered slowly with peanuts and sweet potatoes, capturing the rich flavors of Kenyan home cooking. This african-inspired beef ready in about 140 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck, smooth peanut butter, large, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 5, 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
- 700 g, cut into 1-inch cubes beef chuck
- 2 medium, peeled and cubed (about 400 g) sweet potatoes
- 3 tbsp, smooth peanut butter
- 1 large, diced onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, grated ginger root
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped, for garnish fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add 700 g beef chuck cubes and brown on all sides for 6-8 minutes, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated ginger root. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp ground coriander, and 1 tsp smoked paprika. Cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavors.
- Step 4: Return the browned beef to the pot and pour in 3 cups beef broth. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 1.5 hours until the beef is tender.
- Step 5: Add 2 peeled and cubed medium sweet potatoes and 3 tbsp smooth peanut butter to the pot. Stir well, cover again, and cook for an additional 30 minutes until sweet potatoes are soft and the stew is creamy.
- Step 6: Season with 1.5 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper, stir, and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Kenyan Beef Stew with Peanuts and Sweet Potatoes take to make?
Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 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 Kenyan Beef Stew with Peanuts 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 smooth peanut butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Kenyan Beef Stew with Peanuts 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 Slow-Cooked Kenyan Beef Stew with Peanuts and Sweet Potatoes for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 5 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 5). 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 Slow-Cooked Kenyan Beef Stew with Peanuts 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.
