Slow-Cooked Kenyan Beef Stew with Pilau Spices

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-07 · Updated 2026-06-07

A tender beef stew infused with traditional Kenyan pilau spices, simmered slowly to develop deep, aromatic flavors. This African-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 140 minutes, pairs beef chuck, diced, vegetable oil, onion, finely chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

Ingredients

• 1 lb beef chuck, diced
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp pilau spice mix (cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 14 oz can diced tomatoes
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 2 medium carrots, sliced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh coriander leaves, chopped

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb diced beef chuck and brown on all sides for 5-6 minutes until deeply seared.
2. Step 2: Add 1 large finely chopped onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger to the pot. Sauté for 4 minutes until the onion softens and becomes fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp pilau spice mix and 2 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 2 minutes until the spices release their aroma and coat the beef.
4. Step 4: Pour in 14 oz canned diced tomatoes and 2 cups beef broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to lift any browned bits. Bring to a simmer.
5. Step 5: Add 2 peeled and cubed medium potatoes and 2 sliced medium carrots. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
6. Step 6: Reduce heat to low, cover, and let stew cook gently for 1.5 to 2 hours until beef is tender and vegetables are cooked through.
7. Step 7: Finish by stirring in 1/4 cup chopped fresh coriander leaves for a burst of fresh flavor before serving.