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One-Pot African Peanut Stew Recipe

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4.4 from 4 reviews

This One-Pot African Peanut Stew is a hearty, comforting dish featuring sweet potatoes, collard greens, and creamy peanut butter simmered together in a flavorful broth. Inspired by traditional West African flavors, this stew is easy to prepare and perfect for a nutritious weeknight meal. It’s served with rice and garnished with fresh cilantro, lime juice, and crushed roasted peanuts for added texture and brightness.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (optional, see notes)
  • 1 yellow onion, finely chopped (about 2 cups)
  • 1 jalapeno, cored and finely chopped
  • 3-4 garlic cloves, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
  • 2 inch knob ginger, peeled and minced or grated (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 1-lb sweet potato, peeled and diced into 1-inch cubes (about 2 cups)
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter (ingredients should be just roasted peanuts and salt)
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 bunch collard greens, stems removed and leaves chopped

For Serving

  • Fresh cilantro
  • Cooked rice
  • Lime juice
  • Crushed roasted peanuts

Instructions

  1. Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the finely chopped onion, sprinkle with salt, and cook for about 3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent. Then add the minced garlic, chopped jalapeño, minced ginger, ground cumin, and cayenne pepper. Stir everything together and continue cooking for another 3 minutes to develop the flavors.
  2. Add Base Ingredients: Stir in the tomato paste until it is fully combined with the sautéed aromatics. Then add the diced sweet potato, creamy peanut butter, vegetable broth, and water. Mix everything well and bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat.
  3. Simmer Stew: Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low to maintain a simmer. Cover the pot and cook for 15 minutes, allowing the sweet potatoes to start softening and the flavors to meld.
  4. Add Greens and Continue Cooking: Add the chopped collard greens to the pot and stir them into the stew. Cover again and cook for an additional 15 minutes until the collard greens have wilted and the sweet potatoes are tender throughout.
  5. Thicken and Finish: Using the back of a spoon, gently mash some of the sweet potatoes to thicken the broth and create a creamier texture. Then uncover the pot and increase the heat slightly to bring the stew to a boil, cooking for 5 more minutes to reduce excess liquid.
  6. Serve: Serve the stew warm over cooked rice. Garnish with fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime juice, and crushed roasted peanuts for extra flavor and crunch. Enjoy your nourishing, flavorful African Peanut Stew!

Notes

  • Olive oil is optional – you can omit it to reduce fat or use a small amount to enhance flavor.
  • For spicier stew, keep the jalapeño seeds; for milder flavor, remove them completely.
  • Ensure your peanut butter contains only roasted peanuts and salt for the most authentic flavor without extra oils or sugars.
  • If collard greens are unavailable, you can substitute with kale or spinach, adjusting cooking times accordingly.
  • Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and taste great reheated.