Sweet Potato Stew

Picture the comforting aroma of sweet potatoes mingling with warm spices, wafting through your kitchen.

This African-inspired Sweet Potato Stew is as easy to make as it’s indulgent, offering a cozy hug in a bowl.

As the ingredients simmer together, the vibrant colors and rich flavors transform into a hearty, satisfying meal.

Let’s bring this delightful dish to life, inviting warmth and comfort to your table.

Kitchen Tools Required

• 1 large pot
• 1 sharp knife
• 1 cutting board
• 1 wooden spoon
• 1 measuring cup
• 1 ladle

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 2 cups kale, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Cook & Prep Time

To efficiently manage your time while preparing and cooking Sweet Potato Stew, follow this timeline:

1. Reading Time: 5 minutes
   • Spend a few minutes reading through the recipe to familiarize yourself with the ingredients, equipment, and steps involved.
2. Preparation Time: 15 minutes
   • Start by gathering all the necessary equipment and ingredients.
   • Chop the onion, mince the garlic, grate the ginger, peel and cube the sweet potatoes, and chop the red bell pepper and kale.
   • Measure out the olive oil, spices, and other ingredients.
3. Cooking Time: 45 minutes
   • Heat olive oil in the large pot over medium heat (1 minute).
   • Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent (5 minutes).
   • Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for another minute (1 minute).
   • Add cubed sweet potatoes and chopped red bell pepper, mixing well (2 minutes).
   • Pour in the diced tomatoes and vegetable broth (1 minute).
   • Season with spices: ground cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper (2 minutes).
   • Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes (25 minutes).
   • Add drained chickpeas and peanut butter, stirring until well incorporated (5 minutes).
   • Add chopped kale, cooking until wilted (3 minutes).
4. Resting Time: 10 minutes
   • Remove the stew from heat and let it rest for 10 minutes.
5. Serving Time: 5 minutes
   • Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Adjust as needed based on your pace and any additional garnishes you might want to add.

Recipe Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent.

Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for another minute.

Add the cubed sweet potatoes and chopped red bell pepper, mixing well.

Pour in the diced tomatoes and vegetable broth.

Season with ground cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes.

Add the drained chickpeas and peanut butter, stirring until the peanut butter is well incorporated.

Add chopped kale, cooking until wilted.

Remove from heat and let the stew rest for 10 minutes.

Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Serving Tips

• Warm Crusty Bread: Ideal for soaking up the flavorful stew broth.
• Steamed Rice: A neutral base that complements the rich flavors of the stew.
• Quinoa: Adds a nutty taste and extra protein to the meal.
• Couscous: Light and fluffy, it absorbs the stew’s spices beautifully.
• Roasted Vegetables: Enhances the stew with additional textures and flavors.

Storage

Store leftover sweet potato stew in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

For longer storage, freeze in individual portions for up to 3 months.

Freezing

To freeze sweet potato stew, allow it to cool completely.

Portion into airtight containers. Leave space for expansion.

Label with the date.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

When reheating sweet potato stew, use low heat on the stovetop.

Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Alternatively, microwave on medium power.

Stir halfway through to evenly distribute heat.

Final Thoughts

This Sweet Potato Stew is a delightful blend of flavors and textures.

It’s perfect for a cozy dinner or a hearty lunch. The combination of spices and the creamy peanut butter creates a rich, satisfying taste.

You can customize the heat level to suit your preference by adjusting the cayenne pepper.

For an even deeper flavor, try roasting the sweet potatoes before adding them to the stew.

Enjoy this nutritious and delicious dish with family and friends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Substitute Another Nut Butter for Peanut Butter?

You can substitute almond or cashew butter for peanut butter. Use the same amount, 1/4 cup, and make certain it’s well incorporated in step 8. Adjust salt and pepper to taste, as different nut butters vary slightly.

Is This Stew Suitable for a Gluten-Free Diet?

Yes, it’s suitable for a gluten-free diet. Verify all ingredients, especially broth and spices, are certified gluten-free. Follow instructions precisely: heat oil, sauté onion, incorporate ingredients, simmer, stir peanut butter, add kale, and garnish with cilantro.

What Can I Use Instead of Kale?

You can substitute kale with 2 cups of spinach or Swiss chard. Add it in step 9, cooking until wilted. Make certain it’s chopped to similar size as kale for even cooking and texture consistency.

How Can I Make This Stew More Filling?

Add 1 cup cooked quinoa or brown rice for extra bulk. Stir them into the stew along with the chickpeas. You can also toss in 1/2 cup of cooked lentils or 1/4 cup chopped nuts.

Can Sweet Potato Stew Be Made in a Slow Cooker?

Yes, you can make the stew in a slow cooker. Sauté onion, garlic, and ginger first. Then combine all ingredients except kale and cilantro in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Add kale before serving.

Sweet Potato Stew

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Resting Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course Main

Cuisine African

Servings 4 servings

Equipment

• 1 Large pot
• 1 sharp knife
• 1 Cutting board
• 1 Wooden spoon
• 1 measuring cup
• 1 Ladle

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger grated
• 2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and cubed
• 1 red bell pepper chopped
• 1 can diced tomatoes 14 oz
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 can chickpeas drained and rinsed, 15 oz
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 2 cups kale chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped

Instructions

 

• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
• Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
• Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for another minute.
• Add the cubed sweet potatoes and chopped red bell pepper, mixing well.
• Pour in the diced tomatoes and vegetable broth.
• Season with ground cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
• Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes.
• Add the drained chickpeas and peanut butter, stirring until the peanut butter is well incorporated.
• Add chopped kale, cooking until wilted.
• Remove from heat and let the stew rest for 10 minutes.
• Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider roasting the sweet potatoes before adding to the stew. You can also adjust the level of spice by altering the amount of cayenne pepper used. If you prefer a thicker stew, mash some of the sweet potatoes after cooking.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Cynthia Weatherford

Cynthia Weatherford is a seasoned chef and culinary enthusiast who serves as the Recipe creator of Somonday. With decades of experience in the kitchen and a passion for exploring diverse cuisines, Cynthia brings a blend of creativity and technique to every dish. Known for transforming simple ingredients into show-stopping meals, Cynthia believes that cooking is an art form anyone can master. Dedicated to inspiring home cooks, Cynthia shares approachable recipes, pro tips, and culinary wisdom to make every meal memorable.