Vegetarian West African Peanut Soup with Spinach

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-07 · Updated 2026-04-07

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 soup recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs peanut butter, onion, 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

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Instructions

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.