Spiced Cassava and Peanut Stew
A hearty vegan stew featuring tender cassava root simmered with tomatoes, peanuts, and warm spices, delivering a creamy, nutty, and comforting taste from Tanzania. This african-inspired vegan (vegan) ready in about 50 minutes pairs cassava root, peeled and diced, crushed peanuts, diced tomatoes (canned) 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.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cassava root, peeled and diced
- 1/2 cup crushed peanuts
- 1 1/2 cups diced tomatoes (canned)
- 1 large, chopped onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, grated fresh ginger
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large chopped onion and sauté for 6 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Step 2: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger; cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 tsp ground cumin and 1 tsp paprika, stirring for 1 minute to release the spices' aroma.
- Step 4: Add 2 cups peeled and diced cassava root and 1 1/2 cups diced canned tomatoes. Stir to combine.
- Step 5: Pour in 3 cups vegetable broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 25 minutes until cassava is tender.
- Step 6: Stir in 1/2 cup crushed peanuts and 2 cups fresh spinach leaves. Cook uncovered for 5 minutes until spinach wilts and peanuts melt into the stew, thickening it.
- Step 7: Season with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Serve hot with flatbread or rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Cassava and Peanut Stew take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 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 Spiced Cassava and Peanut 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 crushed peanuts from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Cassava and Peanut 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 Spiced Cassava and Peanut 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.
Is Spiced Cassava and Peanut Stew vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
