Spiced Senegalese Beef Stew with Peanuts and Sweet Potatoes

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

A hearty West African-inspired stew featuring tender beef, sweet potatoes, and rich peanut flavors simmered with warm spices. This african-inspired beef ready in about 130 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, vegetable oil, large yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 110 min Serves 6 African cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef chuck cubes in batches, browning on all sides for 5-6 minutes per batch. Remove browned beef and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, and 2 tbsp tomato paste. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly until spices bloom and tomato paste darkens.
  4. Step 4: Return beef to the pot and pour in 3 cups beef broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour until beef is tender.
  5. Step 5: Add 2 cubed medium sweet potatoes, 1/3 cup natural peanut butter, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Stir well to combine and simmer uncovered for another 30 minutes until sweet potatoes are fork-tender and stew is thickened.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley over the top before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Senegalese Beef Stew with Peanuts and Sweet Potatoes take to make?

Total time is about 130 minutes (20 min prep + 110 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 Senegalese Beef Stew with Peanuts and 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 vegetable oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Senegalese Beef Stew with Peanuts and 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 Senegalese Beef Stew with Peanuts and 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 Senegalese Beef Stew with Peanuts and 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.

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