Tanzanian Beef Stew with Spiced Tomatoes and Peppers

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A slow-simmered stew featuring tender beef in a rich tomato-pepper sauce with traditional East African spices. This east african-inspired one pot ready in about 110 minutes pairs beef chuck, large onion, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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: 20 min Cook: 90 min Serves 4 East African cuisine 480 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs cubed beef chuck, season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, and brown on all sides for 8 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 large chopped onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen flavor.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 chopped medium tomatoes, 1 diced bell pepper, 1 diced red bell pepper, 1 tsp cumin, and 1 tsp coriander. Stir well and cook for 2 minutes until tomatoes break down.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1.5 cups water, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1 hour until beef is tender.
  5. Step 5: Add 2 diced medium potatoes and 2 sliced medium carrots. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes until vegetables are tender. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Tanzanian Beef Stew with Spiced Tomatoes and Peppers take to make?

Total time is about 110 minutes (20 min prep + 90 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 Tanzanian Beef Stew with Spiced Tomatoes and Peppers?

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 beef chuck from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Tanzanian Beef Stew with Spiced Tomatoes and Peppers?

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 Tanzanian Beef Stew with Spiced Tomatoes and Peppers 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.

What goes well with Tanzanian Beef Stew with Spiced Tomatoes and Peppers?

East African one pot 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes