Stewed Senegalese Fish with Tamarind and Peanuts

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-23 · Updated 2026-05-23

A rich, flavorful fish stew combining tamarind tang and creamy peanut butter, simmered with traditional West African spices. This African-inspired seafood recipe (gluten free), ready in about 45 minutes, pairs peanut butter (smooth), tamarind paste, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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 lb firm white fish fillets (e.g., tilapia or cod)
• 3 tbsp peanut butter (smooth)
• 2 tbsp tamarind paste
• 1 large, thinly sliced onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp, grated ginger root
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp dried chili flakes
• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 large thinly sliced onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and slightly golden.
2. Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, and 1 tsp dried chili flakes; cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not burnt.
3. Step 3: Add 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently to caramelize the paste and deepen flavor.
4. Step 4: Mix in 2 tbsp tamarind paste and 3 tbsp peanut butter until fully combined, then slowly pour in 2 cups water while stirring to form a smooth sauce.
5. Step 5: Season the sauce with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens slightly.
6. Step 6: Add 1 lb firm white fish fillets, cut into large chunks, gently submerging them in the sauce. Cover and simmer on low for 8-10 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.
7. Step 7: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro over the stew before serving hot with steamed rice or millet.