West African Peanut Stew

A creamy peanut and tomato stew with chickpeas and vegetables, served over rice.

About this Dish

Groundnut stew is enjoyed across much of West Africa, with each region and household adding its own variations. This simplified vegetarian version combines peanut butter, tomatoes, ginger, chickpeas, and your choice of vegetables into a rich, satisfying stew that’s easy enough for a weeknight while preserving the dish’s signature nutty flavor.

At a Glance

  • Time: 30 minutes
  • Cuisine: West African
  • Serves: 2
  • Flavor: Creamy • Nutty • Warmly Spiced

Ingredients

Pantry Basics

  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • ½ tsp chili flakes and salt to taste
  • 1 cup dry white rice

Grocery Run

  • 1/2 medium onion,
  • chopped 2-inch piece ginger, minced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup natural peanut butter (unsweetened)
  • 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained

Choose any 3 Vegetables

  • Sweet potato, cubed (1 medium)
  • Collard greens or spinach, chopped (2 cups)
  • Red bell pepper sliced (1 medium)
  • Carrot, sliced (1 medium)
  • Okra, sliced (1 cup)

Directions

  • Prepare the Rice — Rinse 1 cup rice and cook according to package directions or with 2 cups water until tender.
  • Prep the Vegetables — Chop your chosen vegetables and mince the onion, ginger, and garlic.
  • Build the Aromatics — Heat the oil over medium heat. Cook the onion, ginger, and garlic until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and chili flakes and cook for another minute.
  • Create the Stew Base — Whisk in the peanut butter and vegetable broth until smooth.
  • Cook the Vegetables — Add the chickpeas and your chosen vegetables. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the stew has thickened.
  • Serve — Season with salt to taste. If the stew becomes too thick, stir in a splash of broth or water. Spoon generously over the cooked rice.

Kitchen Tip

This stew is just as satisfying with warm flatbread as it is over rice. Use naan, pita, or another soft flatbread to scoop up the rich peanut sauce for a completely different meal without changing the recipe.