Smith's Sweet Potato & Kale Stew
A nutrient-rich, plant-based stew with roasted sweet potatoes, hearty kale, and a creamy coconut base, perfect for weeknight dinners. This american-inspired vegetarian ready in about 55 minutes pairs medium sweet potatoes, kale, chopped yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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 medium sweet potatoes
- 4 oz kale
- 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 14 oz coconut milk (canned, full-fat)
- 2 cups vegetable stock
- 1/2 cup diced white potato
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Peel and dice sweet potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes. Toss with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper, then spread on a baking sheet. Roast for 20 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized at the edges.
- Step 2: While potatoes roast, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking for 3 minutes until fragrant. Stir in diced white potato and thyme, then add vegetable stock and bring to a simmer.
- Step 3: Add roasted sweet potatoes, kale, and coconut milk to the pot. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes until kale is wilted and tender. Stir in lemon zest and adjust salt to taste, then serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smith's Sweet Potato & Kale Stew take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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 Smith's Sweet Potato & Kale Stew?
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 sweet potatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Smith's Sweet Potato & Kale Stew?
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 Smith's Sweet Potato & Kale Stew 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 Smith's Sweet Potato & Kale Stew?
American vegetarian 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★★
Simple and delicious.