Spiced Nigerian Peanut Stew with Sweet Potatoes

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

A rich and hearty Nigerian-inspired peanut stew featuring tender sweet potatoes and bold spices in a creamy peanut sauce. This african-inspired soups (vegetarian, gluten free) ready in about 45 minutes pairs smooth peanut butter, large, diced onion, minced garlic cloves 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
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large diced onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 tsp ground coriander, stirring to coat the onion mixture and releasing the spices' aroma for 30 seconds.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with their juices and 3 cups vegetable broth, then add 2 medium (about 500g) peeled and cubed sweet potatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender.
  5. Step 5: Remove 1/2 cup of the hot broth and whisk it together with 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter until smooth; then stir this mixture back into the stew.
  6. Step 6: Simmer the stew for another 5 minutes until thickened and creamy, seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.
  7. Step 7: Serve hot, garnished with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Nigerian Peanut 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 Nigerian Peanut 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 smooth peanut butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Nigerian Peanut 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 Nigerian Peanut 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 Nigerian Peanut Stew with Sweet Potatoes vegetarian?

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

Related recipes