Spiced African Groundnut Stew with Sweet Potatoes

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty West African-inspired stew simmered with creamy peanut butter, tender sweet potatoes, and warming spices for a comforting vegetarian meal. This African-inspired vegan recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 45 minutes, pairs Peanut butter (natural, unsweetened), Sweet potatoes, peeled and diced, Onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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: 30 min Serves 4 African cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat and sauté 1 medium diced onion for 5 minutes until translucent.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper; cook for 30 seconds to bloom the spices.
  4. Step 4: Add 2 cups diced sweet potatoes, 1 cup crushed tomatoes, and 4 cups vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender.
  5. Step 5: Whisk in 1/2 cup natural peanut butter and 1 tsp salt, stirring until the peanut butter is fully incorporated and the stew is creamy.
  6. Step 6: Simmer for an additional 5 minutes to meld flavors.
  7. Step 7: Serve hot, garnished with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced African Groundnut Stew with Sweet Potatoes take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 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 Spiced African Groundnut Stew with Sweet Potatoes?

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 onion, diced from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced African Groundnut Stew with Sweet Potatoes?

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 Spiced African Groundnut Stew with Sweet Potatoes 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.

Is Spiced African Groundnut Stew with Sweet Potatoes vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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