Slow-Cooked Kenyan Beef Stew with Potatoes and Carrots

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chunks of beef simmered slowly with potatoes, carrots, and aromatic spices for a comforting East African stew. This african-inspired beef ready in about 120 minutes pairs beef stew meat, cubed, vegetable oil, large onion, chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 6, 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: 20 min Cook: 100 min Serves 6 African cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs cubed beef stew meat and brown on all sides for 6-8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp cumin powder, and 1 tsp coriander powder. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
  4. Step 4: Return the browned beef to the pot and add 4 cups water or beef broth along with 1 bay leaf, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.
  5. Step 5: Add 3 peeled and cubed potatoes and 3 sliced carrots to the pot. Continue simmering, covered, for another 30-40 minutes until vegetables and beef are tender.
  6. Step 6: Remove bay leaf, check seasoning, and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro if desired. Serve hot with ugali or rice.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Kenyan Beef Stew with Potatoes and Carrots take to make?

Total time is about 120 minutes (20 min prep + 100 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 Potatoes and Carrots?

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 stew meat, cubed from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Kenyan Beef Stew with Potatoes and Carrots?

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 Potatoes and Carrots for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Potatoes and Carrots?

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.

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