Slow-Cooked Kenyan Beef Stew with Sukuma Wiki Greens

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

A hearty Kenyan-inspired beef stew slow-cooked with traditional sukuma wiki (collard greens) and rich spices for a comforting meal. This african-inspired beef ready in about 140 minutes pairs pounds beef chuck, cubed, vegetable oil, large onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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: 120 min Serves 6 African cuisine 420 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 pounds cubed beef chuck and brown on all sides for about 5-6 minutes, then remove beef and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor. Add 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 2 cups beef broth, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1.5 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Mix well.
  4. Step 4: Return the browned beef to the pot and add 1 cup water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours until beef is tender.
  5. Step 5: Add 4 cups chopped sukuma wiki (collard greens) to the stew, stirring well. Cook uncovered for 10 minutes until the greens are wilted and tender.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro. Serve hot with ugali or rice.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Kenyan Beef Stew with Sukuma Wiki Greens 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 Sukuma Wiki Greens?

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 pounds beef chuck, cubed from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Kenyan Beef Stew with Sukuma Wiki Greens?

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 Sukuma Wiki Greens 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 Sukuma Wiki Greens?

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.

Related recipes