Slow-Simmered Tanzanian Beef Stew with Groundnuts

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty East African stew featuring tender beef chunks slow-cooked in a rich, aromatic tomato and groundnut sauce. This african-inspired beef ready in about 105 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, medium yellow onions, diced, medium fresh tomatoes, chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 90 min Serves 4 African cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a heavy-bottom pot over medium heat. Add 2 diced yellow onions and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon grated ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 pound beef chuck cubes to the pot and brown on all sides over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Mix in 3 chopped fresh tomatoes, 1 teaspoon coriander powder, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Cook for 5 minutes until the tomatoes break down.
  5. Step 5: Pour in 3 cups water and bring to a gentle boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 1 hour 15 minutes until beef is tender.
  6. Step 6: Stir in 1/2 cup finely ground roasted groundnuts and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the beef.
  7. Step 7: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed before serving hot.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Tanzanian Beef Stew with Groundnuts take to make?

Total time is about 105 minutes (15 min prep + 90 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Slow-Simmered Tanzanian Beef Stew with Groundnuts?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep medium yellow onions, diced from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Tanzanian Beef Stew with Groundnuts?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Slow-Simmered Tanzanian Beef Stew with Groundnuts for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Slow-Simmered Tanzanian Beef Stew with Groundnuts?

African beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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