Vegetarian West African Peanut Soup with Spinach
A creamy, nutty soup packed with fresh spinach and aromatic spices, offering a rich, satisfying meal that’s both healthy and deeply flavorful. This west african-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs peanut butter, finely diced onion, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 390 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
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup, finely diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 3 cups, packed spinach
- 2 tbsp palm oil
- 1 tsp fresh, chopped thyme
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp palm oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup diced onion and cook for 4 minutes until softened, then add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 1/2 cup peanut butter and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid lumps, then slowly pour in 2 cups chicken broth while whisking continuously to create a smooth base.
- Step 3: Add 1 tsp fresh thyme, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes, then stir in 3 cups packed spinach until wilted and fully incorporated.
- Step 4: Simmer for 5 more minutes until the soup thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving hot with steamed rice or plantains.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vegetarian West African Peanut Soup with Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 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 Vegetarian West African Peanut Soup with Spinach?
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 peanut butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Vegetarian West African Peanut Soup with Spinach?
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 Vegetarian West African Peanut Soup with Spinach 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 Vegetarian West African Peanut Soup with Spinach vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This has become our go-to soups dish. We make it weekly.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
