Slow Cooker Nigerian-Inspired Spiced Beef Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-01 · Updated 2026-06-01

A hearty beef stew with warming West African spices slow-cooked to tender perfection. This African-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 440 minutes, pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, vegetable oil, chopped onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large (about 1 cup) chopped onion
• 4 minced garlic cloves
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 14 oz diced tomatoes (canned)
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 (optional for heat) scotch bonnet pepper, whole
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup, for garnish chopped fresh cilantro

Slow cookers worth buying for this → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 pounds beef chuck cubes and brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes, then transfer the beef to a slow cooker.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 large chopped onion and 4 minced garlic cloves; sauté for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; cook for 1 minute until spices release their aroma.
4. Step 4: Pour in 14 ounces canned diced tomatoes and 2 cups beef broth; bring to a simmer, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Pour this mixture over the beef in the slow cooker. Add 1 whole scotch bonnet pepper (optional for heat), 1.5 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper.
5. Step 5: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until beef is tender.
6. Step 6: Remove the scotch bonnet pepper before serving. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro for a bright finish.