Vegan African Peanut Stew Recipe (2024)

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Healthy Vegan African Peanut Stew recipe with potatoes, tomatoes and meaty soy curls (no chicken,) spiced with garlic and ginger in a creamy peanut butter, tomato and coconut milk broth. Finish with a fresh hit of lime, salty peanuts and fresh herbs.

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1-Pot Plant Based African Peanut Stew with Soy Curls!

A hearty vegan stew of African origins made with groundnut (peanut paste / butter) and served with fufu. Perfect for the fall and winter months and loaded with protein from the peanut butter and soy curls. It is also loaded with dark leafy collard greens, but kale, spinach, mustard greens and even bok choy make great substitutes.

Easy. Oil Free. Gluten Free. Protein Loaded Stew.

The Potatoes:

I’m a huge fan of buttery golden potatoes so I used them in this recipe, however sweet potatoes would be more traditional and also more nutritious. You can get creative and use winter squashes instead and even dumplings.

The Peanut Coconut Broth:

It’s a simple but rich broth made by simmering peanut butter, water, tomatoes and coconut milk together with the classic spices: garlic, ginger and turmeric. Same flavor base I used for making the miso chickpea stew last week but with a touch of tomato to balance out its richness.

The Soy Curls:

The perfect healthy substitute for chicken are without a doubt the soy curls. Made from whole soy beans they have the perfect texture and make a perfect canvas to soak up all the flavors from the stew. It’s important to soak them in hot water to rehydrate before cooking to achieve the ultimate tender meaty texture.

I can’t believe it’s not chicken you guys and most importantly no innocent creature had to suffer and die for this meal. Now that’s the way to live and thrive friends!

Can you freeze it ?

Yes this stew can be frozen. Make a large batch and freeze in glass containers for a cold rainy or snowy day when you don’t feel like cooking. Remember to thaw it out in the fridge before reheating.

soy curl recipes to try:

vegan orange chicken
vegan chick’n with broccoli
soy curl tacos de carnitas
vegetable stew.

watch how to make it:

Vegan African Peanut Stew Recipe (7)

5 from 5 votes

Vegan African Peanut Stew

Vegan African Peanut Stew recipe with potatoes, tomatoes and meaty soy curls (no chicken,) spiced with garlic and ginger in a creamy peanut butter, tomato and coconut milk broth. Finish with a fresh hit of lime, salty peanuts and fresh herbs.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:10 minutes mins

Cook Time:45 minutes mins

Total Time:55 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 1 carrot sliced into rounds
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1.5 inch ginger root grated or 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 2.5 tsp ground coriander
  • 1.5 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp chili powder or to taste
  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 4 oz soy curls
  • 2.25 cups can coconut milk full fat
  • 15 oz can tomatoes lightly crushed
  • 3/4 cup peanut butter
  • 5 cups water or low sodium veggie stock
  • 4 cups golden or sweet potatoes diced
  • 3-4 cups dark leafy greens: collard greens kale or wok choy (chopped & stems removed)
  • 1-2 juicy limes + a few wedges for serving
  • 1 cup fresh cilantro roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup salted peanuts for garnish
  • 1 red chili pepper sliced for garnish optional
  • black sesame seeds for garnish
  • sea salt & black pepper to taste
  • hot water for soaking the soy curls

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Soak the soy curls in hot water for 20 minutes or so while you start the stew.

  • In a medium heavy bottom stock pot sautee the onion and carrot with a little drizzle of water or oil until the onion is translucent. (omit oil for WFPB & Plantricious diets).

  • Stir in the garlic, ginger, turmeric, coriander and chili powder and give everything a good toss.

  • Add the canned tomatoes ( lightly crush them with your hand if using whole tomatoes), nutritional yeast, coconut milk and 5 cups of water or veggie stock.

  • Whisk in the peanut butter until combined and bring the stew to a simmer.

  • Drain the soy curls and use your hands to squeeze as much water out of them as possible. Transfer to a cutting board and run your large knife through them to chop them into bite size pieces then add into the stew.

  • Cover with a lid and cook for 30 minutes. Taste and season with sea salt.

  • Add the diced potatoes and chopped collard greens and simmer an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the potatoes have softened.

  • If using kale, spinach, wok choy or swiss chard wait add them to the stew until the very last 3 or 4 minutes.

  • Squeeze in a large juicy lime and serve garnished with fresh cilantro, salty peanuts, chili pepper to taste and extra lime wedges. If you prefer a thinner consistency of the stew just add a little more veggie stock or water.

    Vegan African Peanut Stew Recipe (8)

Video

Notes

  • STORAGE - Yes this stew can be made ahead and frozen. Make a large batch and freeze in glass containers for a cold rainy or snowy day when you don't feel like cooking. Remember to thaw it out in the fridge before reheating.

Nutrition

Calories: 657.01kcal | Carbohydrates: 46.35g | Protein: 28.6g | Fat: 44.67g | Saturated Fat: 23.39g | Sodium: 382.38mg | Potassium: 1433.46mg | Fiber: 14.7g | Sugar: 13.87g | Vitamin A: 3104.42IU | Vitamin C: 45.72mg | Calcium: 215.47mg | Iron: 9.69mg

Course: Soup

Cuisine: American

Keyword: peanut stew, plant based, soy curls, vegan,, wfpb

Servings: 6 people

Calories: 657.01kcal

Author: Florentina

Vegan African Peanut Stew Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is it called African peanut stew? ›

This peanut stew has a similar flavor and ingredients profile, but it originated from the Mandinka and Bambara people of Mali. A huge reason for its popularity throughout Africa is due to the cultivation of groundnut -- or peanuts -- throughout the continent during the colonial period.

What is African peanut butter soup made of? ›

But essentially, the recipe is made up of ground peanuts (or peanut butter) with tomato paste and spices. The authentic name for peanut soup is granat soup. Granat is the krio term for groundnut – aka peanuts. While it's common practice to grind the nuts for making the recipe, any peanut butter you buy works well here.

What is peanut butter stew made of? ›

Cook the stew: Add the chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, peanut butter, peanuts, coriander and cayenne and stir well to combine. Add the chicken. Bring to a simmer and taste for salt, adding more if needed.

What is West African peanut stew Wiki? ›

Peanut stew or groundnut stew, also known as maafe (Wolof, mafé, maffé, maffe), sauce d'arachide (French) or tigadèguèna is a stew that is a staple food in Western Africa. It originates from the Mandinka and Bambara people of Mali. The proper name for it in the Mandinka language is domodah or tigadegena (lit.

What do Nigerians call peanuts? ›

In many parts of Africa, peanuts are usually known as groundnuts because the nut pods grow underground.

What is the history of peanut stew in Africa? ›

The dish is also known as Maafe in Cameroon, where it is a popular traditional dish. It is believed that the dish originated among the Mandinka people of Mali, who would grind roasted peanuts into a paste and use it as a base for a savoury stew.

What is the healthiest Nigerian soup? ›

Egusi Soup

The soup is made from the seeds of melon, an oil-rich plant. Egusi seeds are rich in carbohydrates, protein, fibre, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, and many other minerals. The soup is made with a lot of extra ingredients like meat and fish which greatly increases its nutrient components.

What is the best African soup to eat with fufu? ›

Delicious Soups And Stews That Goes With Fufu
  • Amala - Nigerian Food.
  • YAM | TRUE YAM | AFRICAN YAM.
  • Okro pepper soup.
  • Ewedu - Jute Leaves Soup.
  • 60+ Nigerian Recipes You Need To Try.
  • Gbegiri Soup - Delicious West African Bean Soup.
  • Ogbono Soup.
  • Best Egusi Soup.
Jan 1, 2024

Where did peanut stew come from in West Africa? ›

mafé, a West African dish consisting of meat in a peanut or peanut butter sauce served over rice or couscous. It originated in Mali and spread across the region, particularly in Senegal and the Gambia, during the colonial period, when efforts were undertaken to increase production of groundnuts.

Why put vinegar in stews? ›

Vinegar can add depth of flavour to soups, sauces, and stews. Especially great for tomato-based recipes, you can add a couple of tablespoons of vinegar towards the end of the cooking process to amplify the flavours of your other ingredients.

Where did peanut stew come from? ›

Peanut stews are found across West Africa, with ancient roots in dishes made with native groundnuts before the peanut arrived from the New World in the 16th century. Maafe can trace its origins to the Mandinka and Bambara people of Mali.

What are peanuts called in Africa? ›

As a snack in Africa, groundnuts are often served boiled and slightly salted. The Bambara groundnut (also known as jugo bean) is indigenous to Sub-Saharan Africa, but the peanut is the one widely used in cooking today and commonly referred to as groundnut.

What food came from Africa and is used to thicken stew? ›

West Africans used okra as a thickener in their version of the dish. The original West African gumbo has been described as stew-like, thickened with okra, and containing fish and shellfish.

What is the white squishy African food? ›

According to historian Miller, "the word Fufu literally means white in Twi." and is likely derived from the whitish colour of the cassava component in Ghanaian fufu. In Ghana, it is made out of pieces of boiled cassava and/or other tubers such as plantain or cocoyam.

Where did West African peanut stew come from? ›

mafé, a West African dish consisting of meat in a peanut or peanut butter sauce served over rice or couscous. It originated in Mali and spread across the region, particularly in Senegal and the Gambia, during the colonial period, when efforts were undertaken to increase production of groundnuts.

What is African stew called? ›

Dec 7, 2022 by Faith VanderMolen. This 1 pot Maafe recipe (also known as African Peanut Stew) is incredibly easy to make, full of plant-based protein and absolutely delicious. If you like peanut butter, you'll love this hearty stew!

How did the peanut become a part of the African American culinary tradition? ›

When Africans were brought to North America as slaves, peanuts came with them. Slaves planted peanuts throughout the southern United States (the word goober comes from the Congo name for peanuts – nguba).

What is the African word for peanut? ›

Nguba,” the word for peanut in the African Kongo and Kimbundu languages, led to “goober,” the South's nickname for peanuts. # TheMoreYouKnow.

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