Spiced Kenyan-Inspired Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes
Tender beef chunks simmered with fragrant spices and hearty sweet potatoes in a rich tomato broth. This african-inspired beef ready in about 90 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, olive oil, medium yellow 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 6, 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
- 1.5 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 14 oz can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1.5 lbs beef chuck cubes and brown on all sides for 6-7 minutes, working in batches to avoid crowding. Remove beef and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 3 cloves minced garlic. Sauté over medium heat for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon. Cook spices with onions and garlic for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 4: Add 14 oz can diced tomatoes with juices and 2 cups beef broth. Return browned beef to the pot along with 2 cups peeled and cubed sweet potatoes. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 5: Bring stew to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1 hour until beef is tender and sweet potatoes are cooked through.
- Step 6: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro before serving to add a fresh herbal note.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Kenyan-Inspired Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes take to make?
Total time is about 90 minutes (20 min prep + 70 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 Kenyan-Inspired Beef 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Kenyan-Inspired Beef 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 Kenyan-Inspired Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Spiced Kenyan-Inspired Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes?
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.
