A recipe for peanut butter lovers! But this time, it's not a sweet treat! It is our favourite West African Peanut Stew. We cooked butternut squash, pepper and spinach in spiced peanut butter stock to create a rich, creamy and satisfying stew for cold winter evenings!
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What Is This African Peanut Curry All About?
This recipe is the first West African dish that I have ever made. But after eating it for the first time, I knew I needed more West African Cuisine in my life! Made with copious amounts of peanut butter, it is so incredibly rich and creamy, that it makes a perfect cold winter day dish. We served it with simple brown rice and garnished it with some extra herbs and spices!
The African Peanut Butter Stew itself is spiced with ground cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper and ginger. It is kind of like Indian curry, but with lots of peanut butter (which in my books is a great thing)!
Not only 100% plant-based, but this Vegan African Peanut Stew is also gluten-free, and suitable for celiacs! What is more, this recipe is open to so many variations based on your preferences, availability of ingredients and time. We've made it with sweet potatoes, kale, green lentils... Or you can make it with chicken instead of butternut squash!
Method
First, get all of your ingredients ready, weighed and chopped.
Cook brown rice following packet instructions. Once cooked, keep warm in a pan covered with a lid. Mix hot vegetable stock and smooth peanut butter.
Heat a large non-stick frying pan with 2 tablespoon of oil. Tip in the onions and fry for 5 minutes to soften. Add the ginger, cayenne, ground coriander, cumin, chillies (save some for garnish) and some black pepper. Add the butternut squash and pepper and cook, stirring, for approx. 2 mins.
Add the peanut butter stock, stir, cover with a lid and cook on low-medium heat for 10-15 min or until butternut squash is soft and tender.
Once the butternut is cooked, add the spinach and half of the coriander and stir until wilted.
Serve this Vegan Peanut Stew on a bed of brown rice. Sprinkle with the reserved coriander, chilli and lime wedges for squeezing over, if using.
Side Dishes for African Peanut Stew
West African Peanut Stew is typically served with rice. We personally prefer brown rice with this dish, as it has a nutty flavour that complements peanut butter very well. Alternatively, try it with coriander and lime rice. It also goes well with millet, quinoa or couscous!
Since this is a vegan dish, it is full of vegetables as is, but if you want to add a couple of extra side vegetable dishes, serve it with a light slaw or raw courgette ribbon salad.
Other Comfort Food Ideas
Looking for more comfort food ideas. We have you covered! Here are some of our favourite recipes:
- Asian-Style Satay Jackfruit Burger with Sesame Wedges (Vegan)
- Poutine with Chicken and Garlicky Greens
- Spicy Bean Stew with Cheesy Dumplings (Vegetarian)
Recipe Card
West African Vegan Peanut Stew
Ingredients
- 140 g brown rice
- 1 brown onion finely chopped
- 180 g butternut squash cut into 1 cm cubes
- 1 pepper cut into bite size pieces
- 50 g spinach
- 100 g smooth peanut butter
- 300 ml vegetable stock
- 1 red chilli finely chopped
- 10 g root ginger finely chopped or minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 10 g fresh coriander finely chopped, including stalks
- ½ lime, cut into wedges optional
Instructions
- First, cook brown rice following packet instructions. Once cooked, keep warm in a pan covered with a lid.
- Mix hot vegetable stock and smooth peanut butter.
- Heat a large non-stick frying pan with 2 tablespoon of oil. Add the onions and fry 5 mins to soften. Add the ginger, cayenne, ground coriander, cumin, chillies (save some for garnish) and some black pepper. Add the butternut squash and pepper and cook, stirring, for approx. 2 mins.
- Add the peanut butter stock, stir, cover with a lid and cook on low-medium heat for 10-15 min or until butternut squash is cooked.
- Once the butternut is cooked, add the spinach and half of the coriander and stir until wilted.
- Serve African Peanut Stew on a bed of brown rice. Sprinkle with the reserved coriander, chilli and lime wedges for squeezing over, if using.
Nutrition
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
I love using peanut butter in curries. This one is so creamy and comforting and really filled me up.
Ieva says
Thanks, Amanda! This definitely a creamy and filling one! 🙂
kushigalu says
Love the combination of flavors in this stew recipe. Thanks for sharing
Natalie says
My kids will eat everything with peanut butter inside, lol. Great recipe, we loved it, thanks!
Ieva says
That's great, Natalie! Glad you all liked it 🙂
Anjali says
This stew was so hearty and satisfying! Made it for dinner tonight and my whole family loved it!
Ieva says
Thanks for the feedback, Anjali! So nice to know the whole family enjoyed it 🙂
Dannii says
The flavours in this were amazing. So hearty and comforting.
Ieva says
So glad you enjoyed this recipe - it's very close to our hearts! 💗
Katherine says
I love peanut stew and this version is great!
Ieva says
Thanks 💗
Chenée says
Savory peanut dishes are my favorite, so I know I'll love this one!
Tara says
Such a comforting stew! Definitely perfect for our weather this week. It sounds so good with the addition of the butternut squash.
Vidya Narayan says
Delicious, comforting and flavorful - We loved it!
Ieva says
So glad!
imsen says
love the combination of spices in the recipe! def gonna try it soon!
Farah Abumaizar says
Omg this looks so comforting and amazing! Never knew that peanut would compliment squash and spinach so well, but can't wait to try this out. Thanks for the delicious recipe!
Kushigalu says
Love the interesting combination of flavors here. Thanks for sharing.
Janet says
Question: We've made this recipe before and love it. We've planned to make it for an upcoming dinner and just found out that one person has an allergy to tomatoes. Is there anything we might substitute?
Ieva Greber says
Glad you liked the recipe! I don't use tomatoes in this recipe, so you should be good to go? 🙂