Slow-Simmered Kenyan Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-07 · Updated 2026-06-07

A hearty and aromatic beef stew slow-cooked with sweet potatoes and Kenyan spices, perfect for a comforting meal. This African-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 135 minutes, pairs beef chuck, cubed, sweet potatoes, peeled and diced, onion, finely chopped 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.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs beef chuck, cubed
• 2 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup diced tomatoes, canned
• 3 cups beef broth
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs beef chuck cut into 1-inch cubes and brown on all sides for 5-7 minutes until seared and edges are crispy. Remove beef and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large finely chopped onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated ginger. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until the onions are soft and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until it darkens slightly and deepens in flavor.
4. Step 4: Add 1 tsp coriander powder, 1 tsp cumin powder, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1.5 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir well to toast the spices for 1 minute.
5. Step 5: Return the browned beef to the pot along with 1 cup canned diced tomatoes and 3 cups beef broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer gently for 1.5 hours until beef is tender.
6. Step 6: Add 2 cups peeled and diced sweet potatoes to the stew and cook uncovered for another 25 minutes until the sweet potatoes are soft and the stew thickens slightly.
7. Step 7: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro for freshness before serving warm.