Slow-Simmered Tanzanian Beef Stew with Groundnut Sauce

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-25 · Updated 2026-06-25

A hearty beef stew enriched with a creamy, nutty groundnut (peanut) sauce, simmered until tender and infused with warm African spices. This african-inspired beef ready in about 105 minutes blends beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, peanut butter (smooth), medium onion, finely chopped into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. 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 beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned)
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 cups water or beef broth
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb beef chuck cubes and brown on all sides for about 5-7 minutes, then remove and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 medium finely chopped onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated ginger. Sauté over medium heat for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes until it darkens slightly. Add 1 tsp cumin powder, 1 tsp coriander powder, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; stir to toast the spices for 1 minute.
4. Step 4: Return the browned beef to the pot along with 1 cup canned diced tomatoes and 2 cups water or beef broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 1 hour until beef is tender.
5. Step 5: Stir in 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter until completely incorporated and simmer uncovered for another 15 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the meat.
6. Step 6: Adjust seasoning if needed, sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, and serve hot with rice or ugali.