Slow-Cooked Tanzanian Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes

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

A hearty slow-cooked beef stew infused with warm spices and sweet potatoes, inspired by traditional Tanzanian flavors. This african-inspired beef ready in about 155 minutes pairs beef chuck, cubed, vegetable oil, large, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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: 25 min Cook: 130 min Serves 6 African cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs cubed beef chuck and brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 large diced onion to the pot and sauté with the beef for 5 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 1 tsp ground turmeric, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, and 1 cinnamon stick. Cook for 2 minutes until the spices are fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Mix in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for another minute, then pour in 4 cups beef broth, stirring to combine.
  5. Step 5: Bring stew to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5 hours until beef is tender.
  6. Step 6: Add 2 peeled and cubed medium sweet potatoes and 2 sliced medium carrots to the pot. Season with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  7. Step 7: Cover and continue to simmer for 30-40 minutes until the vegetables are soft and stew has thickened.
  8. Step 8: Remove the cinnamon stick, stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and serve hot with rice or flatbread.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Tanzanian Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes take to make?

Total time is about 155 minutes (25 min prep + 130 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 Tanzanian Beef 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 beef chuck, cubed from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Tanzanian Beef 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 Tanzanian Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes 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 Tanzanian Beef Stew with 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.

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