One of the purposes of this blog is to try to get people to be more adventurous in their eating and step outside their comfort zone. There are so many wonderful foods out there that people don't even give a second glance to because they are unfamiliar. Too many people "left swipe" right past fantastic international dishes, because they assume they are going to be bizarre or strange. I am so happy my friend pointed me to this childhood favorite recipe because it really represents a dish that, at a glance, may seem exotic. In preparation and execution, however, it is a dish the entire family will enjoy.
Groundnut Stew is a simple West African dish that the whole family will enjoy. This simple peanut stew (often referred to as ground nut stew or Domoda) is a staple food of several countries in West Africa including Gambia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. Originating from several countries across West Africa, peanut stew is also known as groundnut stew, maafe or domoda.
This Nigerian stew is literally one of the tastiest stews I've eaten. It's filling, hearty, delicious and full of traditional African flavours and ingredients from peanut and yam to sweet red pepper and beans. It's made with easy ingredients, and is made even easier by using Zim's Tribe Sauce, which is a divine African Sauce made by a small business whose aim is to get African flavours into our homes and on our plates.
It's my take on an African peanut stew, and can encourage you to try new flavours and perhaps new ingredients!
Traditionally ground soup or stew is made with peanuts, tomatoes, onions with or without protein depending ones preference. A quick search online will reveal that there are multiple interpretations of this African dish. From Nigeria to Mali to Ghana to Cameroon, everyone's got a version. This one's mine - a pretty stripped down, healthy but utterly delicious take on it.
Read also: Learn to make Nigerian Tomato Stew
My Secret to the Best African Peanut /Groundnut Stew which will make you beg for more!
Key Ingredients
This recipe is made up of ingredients common to West African countries, including fresh tomatoes, onion, and yams.
- Peanut butter: In Western Africa they may use native groundnuts or fresh peanuts. However, even in Africa, peanut butter is commonly used. I prefer to use creamy peanut butter for this recipe as it assures a nice smooth broth but crunchy will also work, if that’s what you have on hand. We find that creamy peanut butter works best in the West African stew recipe. You can use any variety depending on what you have on hand- go for 100% Peanut butter for an intensified peanut flavor without the added sugar. If you have time just make your own peanut butter by grinding roasted peanuts in a food processor or coffee grinder.
- Fresh chiles: We typically use jalapeno peppers for this West African peanut stew, because we try to keep it on the mild side so it is a recipe that the whole family can enjoy.
- Chicken Broth: Use a high-quality chicken stock or chicken broth for the African groundnut soup.
- Tomato Sauce: We like the consistency that tomato sauce gives the dish.
- Yam: Yam - this is a very traditional African vegetable, and delicious in Nigerian stew. It's a root vegetable that can be used in a similar way to potato. It adds a real thickness to the stew, especially when left overnight. It's a comforting carby vegetable, and if you haven't tried it, I really recommend it. You'll need to peel it (with a knife is probably easiest), and it's easiest to cut up with a proper chef's knife. The one I have is the Victorinox Chef's Knife which is very reasonably priced and fantastic for chopping bigger vegetables like squash. If you can't find yam, just use potato or sweet potato. A true yam will have more of a tough brown skin, almost resembling tree bark. In addition, its flesh is white, not orange. Yams also have more of a starchy taste as opposed to the sweet taste of a sweet potato. That said, they can be particularly difficult to find outside of some international and specialty markets, but if you can find them, use them!
- Beans: I can't be vegan and not love beans. They are full of protein and fibre (and so keep you super full) and are such an easy addition to any meal, especially curry and stews. You can actually use any kind of bean in this Nigerian stew (use whatever you have available). I love using pinto beans, black eyed peas or black beans in this dish. The dish uses one drained tin/can of beans, but you can of course cook your beans from dried.
- Vegetable stock: a real store cupboard essential for me. It makes up the liquid of this African peanut stew, and so it's important you have a good vegetable stock.
- Zim's Tribe Sauce: the absolute star of the show, and what allows you to easily make this delicious authentic African dish. It has all the flavours you need from pepper, garlic, sweet pepper, paprika and much more! Zim's Tribe makes African sauces and relishes, as well as infused oils. It's founded and run by the most lovely Nigerian guy who found that it was almost impossible to pick up an "African sauce" in the way you can pick up Indian or Italian sauces. The sauces are made from his own special recipe, which can simply be used as a dipping sauce if you fancy, as well as for full-blown meals. They conveniently range (thank you, Zims!) from mild, medium to hot and EXTRA HOT! I tend to go for the Medium heat one myself.
- Zim's Tribe Garlic Ginger Chili Oil: Zim's Tribe also do some amazing infused oils which are delicious for drizzling over salad, and are great for frying. I recommend that you fry the plantain with this oil for extra delightful flavours.
- Plantain: another traditional ingredient that is just divine! A savoury kind of banana that you'll find in a lot of African and Caribbean cooking. It's delicious to serve as an added extra with this Nigerian stew, and I talk more about it in the Serving Ideas section below. If you can't find plantain, you can use unripe banana instead.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
This Nigerian stew is simple to make, in part because you can use Zim's Tribe sauce for those key African flavours, which just makes this stew the star of your weekend!
- 👩🏽🍳 Prepare the yam by cutting it into cubes. Peel ⅓ of a yam and cut up the yam into chunks around 1.5" / 3cm each side. Boil in water for 20 minutes or until a fork easily goes through them. While the yams are cooking, prepare the rest of the stew and plantain.
- 👩🏽🍳 Get a saucepan ready and add the Zim's Tribe Sauce. Use the stock to swill round the Zim's sauce jar to get everything out of it. Cook for a few mins. In a saucepan, mix the stock and Zim's Tribe Sauce on a medium heat for a few minutes.
- Add the smooth peanut butter. Mix well to combine. Mix in well so it's fully combined with the sauce and stock. Stir in the groundnut paste. At this point, it will thicken rapidly.
- 👩🏽🍳Add the beans and cook for a further five minutes. Let them cook in the sauce for a further 5 minutes. Then add the yam but don't mix too well or the yam pieces will break up.
- 👩🏽🍳 For the plantain (if using - it really adds to that traditional Nigerian feel), you cut it up and simply free in a bit of oil. Optional for serving: Begin frying the plantain. Cut them up into slices about ¼ inch thick. Heat the Zim's Tribe Garlic Ginger Chili Oil (if using) in a frying pan. Once it's hot, fry the plantain for a few minutes on each side, and season with a little salt and pepper.
- Drain the yam, and add to the stew. Cook for a further 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, but not too vigorously so the yam pieces stay whole.
- 👩🏽🍳 Serve on rice with the plantain, and sprinkle with fresh coriander/cilantro and salted peanuts. Serve the stew on a bed of rice, and with the plantain on the side. Sprinkle with salted peanuts and fresh coriander.
Serving Suggestions
We love to serve the flavorful stew over white or brown rice with hard boiled eggs. We enjoy this peanut stew served alongside white or brown rice to make it an even heartier meal. You can also serve it in a bowl as more of a stew, topped with chopped peanuts.
This Nigerian stew just on its own is delicious and full of those traditional Nigerian flavours. It's easily pimped up with some tasty extras, though. Additional to this, and very important to me as it's one of my favourite ingredients, is fried plantain. It's a traditional African and Caribbean food which is like a savoury banana. When ripe and then fried, it takes on a sweet taste which is just divine. You can fry it in any oil, but I fried mine in Zim's Tribe Garlic Ginger Chili Oil for extra flavour.
You may also want some bread to mop up those mouth-watering African peanut stew juices.
Read also: Easy Winter Stew Recipe
Variations and Substitutions
The good thing about this recipe is that it is open to so many variations based on your preferences, availability of ingredients and time.
Other nut butters like almond butter will work if you can't have peanuts. You can leave the beans out altogether or use something like tofu instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is African groundnut stew spicy? Despite containing chiles, peanut stew is a mild dish that the entire family can enjoy.
What is the best peanut butter to use in Groundnut or African peanut stew? We recommend using a natural creamy peanut butter in the recipe for the best results.
What are African groundnuts? Groundnuts are peanuts. In Africa, they are often called groundnuts because they grow underground. Botanically speaking peanuts are not a true nut, but actually a legume.
Read also: West African Turkey Stew
Can the stew be frozen? Yes. It freezes very well in an airtight container.
Is this recipe gluten and soy-free? Yes! It's both gluten and soy-free. We have lots of other gluten-free recipes you'd love.
Nutritional Information
Nutrition Facts are an estimate and will vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients you use.
Enjoy Your Homemade Groundnut Stew!
This is a beautifully warming and hearty stew with traditional Nigerian flavours. The yams and peanut butter make it extra thick and filling.
Thanks again for visiting Carne Diem. If you tried and enjoyed our recipe, please share with others.
