Nigerian Beef Stew is a mouthwatering West African dish that is a staple in Nigerian households. It's a rich, flavorful, and slightly spicy stew made with blended tomatoes, red bell peppers, and habanero peppers, perfectly spiced to create a comforting and satisfying meal. Traditionally eaten with rice or boiled yam, this stew is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed with various accompaniments. Let's dive into how to make this classic dish.
This recipe was first published in June 2020 and has been updated with more helpful tips and answers to common FAQs. Growing up in Nigeria, no Sunday was complete without the rich, comforting aroma of beef stew simmering in the kitchen. My mom’s version was one of the best. It's bold, spicy, and always made in big batches.
What is Nigerian Stew?
First, let’s talk about what the Nigerian stew is. It’s a delicious, rich, and slightly spicy stew. The result is a delicious pot of red stew. It's okay to drool at this point! This stew is a versatile tomato stew popularly eaten in Nigeria. This stew is not peculiar to Nigerians alone, it is popular in other parts of Africa as well. It is also called African stew or red tomato stew. There might be few swaps of ingredients and spices used, but the same process is followed.
This stew is my to-go stew because it goes with almost anything from rice to yam, pasta, beans, bread, potatoes, and much more. It also stores well in the freezer, so I always make a big batch and store it in my freezer. It is loaded with beef, tripe, and beef liver.
Here you’ll find answers to common questions about this recipe.
Read also: Learn to make Nigerian Tomato Stew
Is African Beef Stew Keto?
Yes African beef stew is keto and low carb friendly
Can I use a different meat for this recipe?
This recipe is adaptable. You can use chicken, fish, mushrooms or whatever meat you prefer.
How to make authentic Nigerian Beef stew. #Student edition
Can I make Nigerian beef stew in a slow cooker?
You can make Nigerian stew in a slow cooker. Add all ingredients to the slow cooker except the fried beef, cook on high for 4 hours. Add the fried beef in the last 20 minutes of cooking.
Ingredients You'll Need
Here's a list of the key ingredients for making Nigerian Beef Stew:
- Beef: Be sure to season very well, then boil until very tender. For this Nigerian stew recipe, it is better to go for tougher, less expensive cuts of beef. Tougher cuts have lots of collagen-rich connective tissue, which becomes nice and chewy after cooking. The best cut for this beef stew is the chuck which includes the shoulder, neck, and upper arm muscles of the cow.
- Fresh Tomatoes, Red Bell Peppers (Tatashe), Onion, Ginger, Garlic & Scotch Bonnet: These form the pepper base. Blend until smooth.
- Olive oil: To fry the tomatoes and pepper mixture.
- Vegetables: Tomatoes, red bell peppers, habanero pepper, and onions. The traditional Nigerian beef stew is made with scotch bonnet peppers, but a good substitute is habanero pepper, which is similar in heat and flavor. For the tomatoes, it is best to use plum tomatoes (also known as Roma tomatoes). These are best for Nigerian stews because they are denser and have less juice.
- Broth/stock: To enhance the flavor.
- Vegetable or Palm Oil: Frying the pepper mix is essential.
- Spices: Thyme, curry powder, bouillon powder, salt, and black pepper.
Step-by-Step Recipe Guide
Follow these steps to create a delicious and authentic Nigerian Beef Stew:
Read also: Step-by-Step Mask Guide
Step 1: Prepare the Beef
Start by preparing the beef. If not already pre-cut, cut the beef into bite-size pieces, wash and drain. You don’t need to add a lot of spices here. You need just enough to bring out the flavor but remember spices will still be added to the stew. Let it cook for roughly 20-25 minutes.
To boil the beef:
- Wash beef and place in a pot.
- Add water, salt, and black pepper and bring to a boil.
- After it boils, stir together and let cook for 20-25 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare the Stew Base
Prepare the stew base: wash, cut and blend tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and habaneros. Blend the tomatoes, bell pepper, habanero pepper, and half of the onion in a food processor. When blending the vegetables, it helps to blend the tomatoes first because they release enough moisture, which helps to blend the other vegetables. Nigerian beef stew tastes much more flavorful if the blended mixture does not contain a lot of water.
To make the stew:
- Blend the tomatoes, bell pepper, habanero pepper, and half an onion together.
- Chop the other half of the onion.
Step 3: Fry the Stew Base
Add olive oil to a large pot. When heated, add the chopped onions and stir until they begin to wilt. Pour in the tomato mixture, add black pepper, and stir. I don’t add other spices just yet because I will add the stock later on, and I don’t want to run the risk of the stew being too salty.
Read also: Easy Nigerian Puff Puff
- Pour olive oil in a pan and when heated, add the chopped onions and stir till its wilted.
- Add the blended tomato and pepper mixture and black pepper and stir.
- Boil for 5 minutes on medium heat.
Step 4: Combine and Simmer
Add in the beef and some of the stock. I add half a cup of stock first and possibly add a little more if needed. Add the thyme, bouillon powder, and curry. Cover and let simmer for 10 minutes on medium-high heat.
- Add the beef and ½ cup of stock and mix together.
- Add a little more broth if needed, till it has enough of a stew-like consistency.
- Add the thyme, bouillon powder, and curry.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Stew
- Don't Rush the Pepper Mix: Cook the blended peppers and tomatoes very well.
- Balance the Spice: If you are sensitive to heat, start with just one scotch bonnet pepper (or half). You can remove the seeds for a milder heat.
- Quality of Oil Matters: Palm oil is traditional for its unique flavor and color. If you are new to it, start with half palm and half vegetable oil.
- Taste as You Go: Always taste your stew at different stages, especially before adding salt.
Serving Suggestions
Serve It Your Way: While delicious with white rice and fried plantains, this stew is incredibly versatile!
Nigerian stew is by far the most popular dish in Nigeria. It is traditionally eaten with rice or boiled yam. This Nigerian stew is a side dish that can go really well with a lot of dishes. It is usually eaten with white rice or jollof rice. It is often served with rice, yam, or plantains.
Storage Tips
- Refrigerator: This recipe keeps well in the fridge. Be sure to cool the stew to room temperature before refrigerating it in a resealable container.
- Freezer: This stew also freezes well! Be sure to put the leftover in airtight containers, and leave about ½" to 1" of air above the stew to allow it to expand while freezing.
Recipe Card
Here's a summary of the ingredients and nutritional information:
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 588 |
| Fat | 46g |
| Carbs | 21g |
| Fiber | 4g |
| Sugar | 11g |
| Protein | 25g |
Estimated values based on one serving size.
