Slow-Cooked Ugali and Sukuma Wiki Stew with Ground Beef
A comforting Tanzanian-inspired dish featuring tender slow-cooked ground beef stew served alongside classic maize flour ugali and sautéed sukuma wiki greens. This African-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 80 minutes, pairs ground beef, red onion, diced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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 ground beef
- 1 large red onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup canned diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- to taste salt
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 cups maize flour (cornmeal)
- 4 cups water (for ugali)
- 1 bunch (about 6 cups) kale or collard greens (sukuma wiki), chopped
- 1 medium fresh tomato, diced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large diced red onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb ground beef and cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking up the meat, until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 4: Mix in 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 cup canned diced tomatoes, 1 cup beef broth, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, and salt to taste. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook gently for 45 minutes until thickened and flavorful.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, bring 4 cups water to a boil in a separate pot. Gradually whisk in 2 cups maize flour, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Reduce heat to low and cook for 10 minutes, stirring often, until the ugali is thick and pulls away from the sides.
- Step 6: In a skillet, heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced fresh tomato and 6 cups chopped kale or collard greens. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the greens are tender but still vibrant.
- Step 7: Stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice and season with salt to taste. Serve the slow-cooked ground beef stew alongside the ugali with the sautéed sukuma wiki greens on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Ugali and Sukuma Wiki Stew with Ground Beef take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (20 min prep + 60 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 Ugali and Sukuma Wiki Stew with Ground Beef?
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 ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Ugali and Sukuma Wiki Stew with Ground Beef?
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 Ugali and Sukuma Wiki Stew with Ground Beef for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Ugali and Sukuma Wiki Stew with Ground Beef?
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.
