Tomato and Groundnut Soup

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

A hearty, nutty soup made with fresh tomatoes, groundnuts (peanuts), and aromatic spices, perfect for a comforting meal. This ghanaian-inspired soups ready in about 45 minutes pairs palm oil, large onion, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 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: 25 min Serves 4 Ghanaian cuisine 250 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp palm oil in a pot over medium heat. Add 1 large onion, finely chopped, and cook for 3 minutes until soft. Add 3 garlic cloves, minced, 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced, and 2 scotch bonnet peppers, minced, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 2 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped, and cook for 5 minutes until broken down and thickened.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 cup groundnuts (peanuts), roasted and unsalted, 1 cup vegetable broth, 1 cup water, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth, or transfer to a blender in batches. Return to the pot and heat through.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Tomato and Groundnut Soup take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 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 Tomato and Groundnut Soup?

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 palm oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Tomato and Groundnut Soup?

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 Tomato and Groundnut Soup 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 Tomato and Groundnut Soup?

Ghanaian soups 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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