Slow-Simmered Kenyan Nyama Choma with Spiced Tomato Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-28 · Updated 2026-05-28

Tender, slow-cooked Kenyan-style grilled beef served with a rich and fragrant spiced tomato sauce featuring traditional African spices. This African-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 135 minutes, pairs beef chuck, cut into 2-inch cubes, vegetable oil, onion, finely chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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

• 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 2-inch cubes
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 medium (150 g) onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 14 oz (400 g) canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp dried chili flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef chuck cubes and sear for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally until all sides are browned and caramelized.
2. Step 2: Add 1 medium finely chopped onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger to the pot with the beef. Sauté for 5 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp dried chili flakes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours until the beef is fall-apart tender and the sauce thickens.
4. Step 4: Just before serving, stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro and 1 tbsp lemon juice for brightness. Serve hot with ugali or roasted vegetables.