West African-Inspired Spiced Beef and Vegetable Stew

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

A hearty stew with tender beef chunks and root vegetables, seasoned with warm West African spices for a comforting meal. This african-inspired beef ready in about 95 minutes pairs beef stew meat, large, diced onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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: 75 min Serves 4 African cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs beef stew meat and brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated ginger. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and softened.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tbsp curry powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper; cook for 1 minute to toast the spices.
  4. Step 4: Add back the browned beef, 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 3 cups vegetable broth, 2 chopped carrots, and 2 cubed sweet potatoes. Bring to a boil.
  5. Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour until beef is tender.
  6. Step 6: Stir in 2 tbsp peanut butter, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; cook uncovered for another 10 minutes until stew thickens slightly.
  7. Step 7: Adjust seasoning to taste and serve warm with rice or flatbread.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does West African-Inspired Spiced Beef and Vegetable Stew take to make?

Total time is about 95 minutes (20 min prep + 75 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 West African-Inspired Spiced Beef and Vegetable Stew?

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 stew meat from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in West African-Inspired Spiced Beef and Vegetable Stew?

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 West African-Inspired Spiced Beef and Vegetable Stew 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 West African-Inspired Spiced Beef and Vegetable Stew?

African beef 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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