Slow Cooker Nigerian Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-09 · Updated 2026-05-09

Hearty beef stew slow-cooked in a spiced tomato sauce with sweet potatoes, perfect for comforting family meals. This Nigerian-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 440 minutes, pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed, canned crushed tomatoes 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.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 large red bell pepper, diced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, minced
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1/2 tsp ground cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp thyme, dried
• to taste salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 bay leaf

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef chuck cubes and brown on all sides for about 5-7 minutes to develop a rich crust. Transfer browned beef to the slow cooker.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 large chopped onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp minced ginger. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and translucent. Add 1 large diced red bell pepper and cook another 2 minutes.
3. Step 3: Transfer the sautéed vegetables to the slow cooker with the beef. Add 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 2 cups beef broth, 1/2 tsp ground cayenne pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 bay leaf, salt to taste, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
4. Step 4: Stir in 2 peeled and cubed medium sweet potatoes. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until beef is tender and sweet potatoes are soft.
5. Step 5: Remove bay leaf before serving. Spoon the hearty beef stew over cooked rice or enjoy on its own for a warming meal.