Vegetable Ndolé Stew with Groundnuts
A hearty vegan stew combining bitter leaves with crunchy groundnuts and fresh vegetables, simmered to a savory, satisfying finish. This african-inspired vegan ready in about 50 minutes pairs peanut butter (natural, unsweetened), medium tomatoes, diced, large onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.
Ingredients
- 300 g bitter leaves (ndolé), washed and chopped
- 1/2 cup peanut butter (natural, unsweetened)
- 3 medium tomatoes, diced
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 cups water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 pepper scotch bonnet pepper, finely chopped
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 large diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 4-5 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
- Step 2: Add 3 diced medium tomatoes and 1 diced medium red bell pepper. Cook for 6-7 minutes until the tomatoes break down and the mixture thickens.
- Step 3: Stir in 300 g chopped bitter leaves and 2 cups water. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes until the leaves soften and the liquid reduces slightly.
- Step 4: Mix 1/2 cup natural unsweetened peanut butter with a little hot water to loosen, then stir into the stew. Add 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 finely chopped scotch bonnet pepper. Simmer for 10 more minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens and coats the vegetables.
- Step 5: Adjust seasoning to taste and serve hot with boiled plantains, rice, or fufu.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vegetable Ndolé Stew with Groundnuts take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (10 min prep + 40 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 Vegetable Ndolé Stew with Groundnuts?
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 medium tomatoes, diced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Vegetable Ndolé Stew with Groundnuts?
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 Vegetable Ndolé Stew with Groundnuts 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 Vegetable Ndolé Stew with Groundnuts vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
