African Sweet Potato-Peanut Stew

Name: African Sweet Potato-Peanut Stew
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: African
Ingredients: 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 cups fresh cilantro leaves and stems, roughly chopped; 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice; ½ cup creamy or chunky peanut butter; 2 teaspoons ground cumin; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper; Salt to taste; 1 cup water; 3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes; 1 can (15 oz) garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed; 1 package (10-12 oz) frozen whole or cut green beans

Recipe GLPR47890a62b1d9ad

African

Main Course

65 min

281 cal

Servings: 8

Stovetop

SNAP eligible

A warming, plant-based stew featuring tender sweet potatoes, creamy peanut butter, and hearty chickpeas in a richly spiced tomato broth. This West African-inspired dish combines warm spices like cumin and cinnamon with fresh cilantro and aromatic garlic, finished with bright green beans for color and nutrition. Perfect as a satisfying main course that serves 8.

Save recipes you love

Create a free Grocery List Plus account to save recipes, rate them, and add every ingredient to your grocery list in one tap.

Create free account Sign in

Ingredients

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups fresh cilantro leaves and stems, roughly chopped

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice

½ cup creamy or chunky peanut butter

2 teaspoons ground cumin

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Salt to taste

1 cup water

3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes

1 can (15 oz) garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

1 package (10-12 oz) frozen whole or cut green beans

Directions

In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, combine the minced garlic and chopped cilantro with a splash of water. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in the ground cumin, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. Cook for another 30 seconds to bloom the spices and release their flavors.
Add the canned diced tomatoes with their juice to the pot, stirring to combine. Let simmer for 2 minutes.
Add the 1 cup of water and bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir in the peanut butter until fully incorporated and smooth.
Add the cubed sweet potatoes to the pot and stir well. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and cover.
Simmer covered for 20-25 minutes until the sweet potatoes are almost tender, stirring occasionally.
Stir in the drained garbanzo beans and frozen green beans. Return to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for another 10-15 minutes until all vegetables are tender and the stew has thickened slightly.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and cayenne if desired. Serve hot.

Comments

Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff4.5

This stew lands well in Charlotte, where sweet potatoes are a local staple and every major chain stocks peanut butter, canned tomatoes, and canned garbanzos without a second stop. The real time is closer to 50 minutes active work plus simmering, which aligns honestly with the stated time. At roughly $1.20 per serving (peanut butter and sweet potatoes drive the cost), it's solid value for a weeknight family meal that reheats beautifully for leftovers. Cilantro is the only ingredient that won't be at ALDI or most Food Lion locations, requiring a quick Harris Teeter trip if you don't already have it, a minor friction for a dish this rewarding.