• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Vegan Recipes
    • Sourdough
      • Gluten-Free Sourdough
      • Sourdough Discard
    • Seasonal Recipes
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
      • Winter
    • Main Dish Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Bread Recipes
      • Sweet Breads
      • Savory Breads
    • Condiment Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
      • Cocktails
      • Non Alcoholic
Vanilla And Bean

Vanilla And Bean

Sweet and Savory Vegetarian

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • About
    • Subscribe
    • A little bit about me…
    • Contact
    • Let’s Work Together
    • Blogs I’m Reading
    • Blogger Resources
You are here: Home / Recipes / Main Dish / Soups/Stews/Chili / African Peanut Stew

African Peanut Stew

By Traci · Jump to Recipe ·
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my affiliate policy.

Comforting, and nourishing with a bit of a kick, vegan African Peanut Stew with chickpeas (or black eyed peas) comes together fast and is freezer friendly! This hearty sweet potato and peanut butter soup, is vegetarian, vegan and easily gluten free.

Sweet Potato and Peanut Soup in a bowl topped with limes and cilantro.

A super hearty, cozy and satisfying stew when the temperature drops. This flavorful vegan African peanut stew (aka sweet potato and peanut butter soup) is a delicious balance of sweet and spicy. It comes together in one pot, and with a whirl in the blender, to make clean up a snap! Weeknight easy and weekend cozy is my kind of winter food. 

Table of Contents

  • Ingredients for African Peanut Stew
  • What Greens to Include?
  • How to Make African Peanut Stew
  • A Few Recipe Notes
  • More Hearty Stews to Love
  • African Peanut Stew Recipe

Ingredients for African Peanut Stew

Simple ingredients come together to create this mouthwatering vegetarian and vegan stew. Here’s what you’ll need to whip it up (see recipe card below for full details): 

  • Peanuts (optional)
  • Onion
  • Fresh Ginger and Garlic
  • Ground Coriander or Cumin
  • Sweet Potato
  • Vegetable Broth
  • Chipotle Pepper in Adobo Sauce
  • Natural Peanut Butter – crunchy or creamy
  • Canned Tomatoes
  • Cooked Chickpeas or Black Eyed Peas
  • Greens such as Collards, Kale or Spinach
  • Lime

I include chickpeas or black eyed peas in this recipe to add a bit more substance and protein. Use whichever one you have on hand. Be sure to check the label on the black eyed peas as many brands include some sort of meat. Of course, you can always cook your own from scratch! 

Chopping onions on a cutting board getting ready for cooking.     Chopping sweet potatoes on a cutting board getting ready for cooking. Grated Ginger Root    Sweet potatoes, onions and garlic in a Dutch oven.

What Greens to Include?

This sweet potato chipotle soup can be made with just about any hearty green. Greens like collards, kale, chard and spinach are all work well in this stew. Keep in mind spinach will cook quicker than collards, kale and chard. So if using spinach, add it just before ladling into soup bowls. If you’ve not given collards a try, I encourage you to give them a go. They’re a powerhouse of nutrients and taste amazing!

How to Make African Peanut Stew

You’ll need a sturdy knife, a 4 Qt soup pot or Dutch oven, and a blender to whip this stew up. In summary, here’s how to do it (see recipe card below for details):

  • First, saute the onions in a bit of oil. Add the garlic, ginger and sweet potatoes. Stir in the broth. 
  • Second, simmer the stew until the potatoes are fork tender, then transfer a few cups to a blender. To the blender add the peanut butter and chipotle pepper. Blend.
  • Third, transfer the blended peanut butter mixture to the soup pot – it will be thick. Add the tomatoes and bring to a gentle simmer. 
  • Next, stir in the chickpeas (or black eyed peas) and collards if using, warm through for five minutes.
  • Last, if not using collards, stir in the kale or spinach just until wilted. Give the peanut butter soup a good squeeze of lime juice and ladle into soup bowls.  

Adding water to the veggies in a Dutch oven.     Sweet Potato stew blended in a VitaMix Vegan West African Peanut Stew in Dutch Oven with canned tomatoes.     African Peanut Stew In Dutch Oven with a can of chickpeas added. West African Peanut Stew in a bowl topped with lime, spinach, cilantro and rice, ready to eat.

A Few Recipe Notes

  • How Spicy? For the smoky-spicy chipotle in this sweet potato and peanut soup, take it up or down. I’ve included one chipotle pepper in the recipe and found this to be just right. But if you’re sensitive to spicy, use only half a pepper just to get a taste without overwhelm. If you like red-hot spicy and want to kick it up, use a pepper and a half to even two peppers! The spicy is up to you.
  • Serve With: I share this sweet potato and peanut butter soup with brown basmati rice, but it is just as delicious serving it without a grain or give quinoa a try. Be sure to pile the toppings and garnishes on high. They add so much texture and flavor to the soup.
  • Freezer Friendly? Yes Please! This peanut butter stew freezes with ease. Simply store in a lidded container, single serve for easy grab n go lunches, and freeze for up to two weeks. Thaw in the fridge overnight and gently rewarm stovetop. 
  • Use cooked chickpeas or black eyed peas to bulk up this hearty sweet potato and peanut soup. I love both, and use whichever one I have on hand. Look for canned black eyed peas without the addition of meat. Or even better, whip up a batch of Slow Cooked Black Eyed Peas!

More Hearty Stews to Love

  • Moroccan Lentil Chickpea Stew
  • Smoky White Bean Wheat Berry Stew
  • Harissa Stewed Black Eyed Peas with Collard Greens
  • Moroccan Butternut Squash Lentil Stew
  • Hoppin John Stew
Vegan African Peanut Stew with Chickpeas
Print Recipe

African Peanut Stew Recipe

Prep Time:30 minutes
Cook Time:30 minutes
Total Time:1 hour
Servings:4 -5 Servings
Calories:499kcal
Author:Traci York | Vanilla And Bean
Comforting, and nourishing with a bit of a kick, vegan West African Peanut Stew with chickpeas (or black eyed peas) comes together fast and is freezer friendly! This hearty stew is vegetarian, vegan and gluten free. Amp up the spicy with a bit more chipotle pepper if desired!

Ingredients

For the Soup:

  • 1/4 C (40g) Peanuts toasted (optional for garnish)
  • 1 Tbs Vegetable Oil I like coconut or olive
  • 1 C (130g) Yellow Onion diced, about 1 medium onion
  • 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
  • 1 Tbs Fresh Ginger grated* see note
  • 1 heaped Tbs Fresh Garlic grated* see note
  • 1/2 tsp Ground Coriander or 3/4 tsp Ground Cumin
  • 4 C (500g) Sweet Potato peeled and cut into large 1/4" - 1/2" (6mm-12mm) cubes. About one large sweet potato
  • 4 1/2 C (1.05kg) Vegetable Stock use 1/2 water 1/2 veg stock or a mixture of the two to cut the salt if desired
  • 1 Small Chipotle Pepper in Adobo Sauce **see note | add 1/2 of another pepper for more kick, use gluten free if needed
  • 5 Tbs (80g) Natural Peanut Butter creamy or crunchy
  • 1 Can (411g) Diced Tomatoes with their juices
  • 1, 15 oz (425g) Can Cooked Chickpeas or Black Eyed Peas drained and rinsed, about 2 cups
  • 2 C (85g) Collard Greens or Spinach ***see note | cut into thin 1/2" ribbons. Reserve a small hand-full for garnish if desired
  • 1/2 Lime + more for serving

Serve With:

  • Brown Basmati Rice optional
  • Toasted Peanuts
  • Fist-full of Cilantro
  • Raw Reserved Greens
  • Tabasco to amp up the heat optional

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F (180C) and toast the peanuts for about 8-10 minutes, or until fragrant and golden. Set aside to cool.
  • To a large 4 Qt. stock-pot or Dutch oven add the coconut or olive oil on medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and salt, saute for about 8 minutes or until soft and transparent. Some browning is okay.
  • Add ginger, garlic and coriander (or cumin), stirring for no more than 1 minute, or until fragrant. The garlic and ginger will stick a bit. Add the sweet potato and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce to low, and simmer until the potatoes are just fork tender, about 8-10 minutes.
  • Scoop 2 1/2 cups (583g) of the potato/broth mixture out and pour it into a blender. Add the chipotle pepper and peanut butter. Blend the mixture into a smooth puree. Pour the puree back into the stock-pot (it will be thick). Stir in the diced tomatoes.
    Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low. Add the collard greens if using and chickpeas (or cooked black eyed peas). Simmer for 5 minutes to warm through and wilt the collards. If using spinach or kale, toss in and stir just before serving. If a thinner stew is desired, add 1/2 C water or broth, stir to warm through. Squeeze 1/2 lime over stew and stir. Taste for salt adjustment.
  • Serve with grain of choice. I like Brown Basmati Rice, but it's also quite tasty with Quinoa, toasted peanuts, cilantro, and a sprinkle of fresh reserved greens.
    Refrigerate for three days or freeze for up to two weeks in a lidded container.

Notes

*Use a microplane grater to grate the garlic and ginger. Be careful here and keep the root between you and the grater at all times. Watch your fingernails too!
**Find Chipotle Chilis in Adobo sauce in the Mexican food isle at your grocery. Look for gluten free if needed. Leftovers can stay fresh in a lidded container in the fridge for several weeks or months in the freezer. 
***Use whatever dark leafy green that's in season or at your local farmers market. Kale and spinach will work here too with spinach going in at the very last minute because it will wilt much faster than collards or kale.
Recipe Adapted from Cafe Flora Cookbook
Nutrition is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate. If this information is important to you, please have it verified independently.
Calories: 499kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 1718mg | Potassium: 1774mg | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 45412IU | Vitamin C: 44mg | Calcium: 229mg | Iron: 6mg
Made It? Leave a comment below! The most helpful comment may include recipe rating, feedback, any modifications and/or helping other commenters. On Instagram? Take a snap of your make and share, tagging @VanillaAndBean #VanillaAndBean!

Pinterest pin for African Sweet Potato Peanut Stew showing the finished soup in a bowl.

You might also like:

French Lentil Soup with Coconut milk in a bowl with a side of naan.

Coconut Curried French Lentil Soup

Bowl of Cabbage White Bean Soup with bread on the side.

White Bean Cabbage Potato Soup

Overhead shot of Cauliflower-Potato Red Lentil Curry shared with rice and Naan.

Cauliflower-Potato Red Lentil Curry

Tangy, hearty and pure comfort food! BBQ Black Eyed Pea Collard Rolls | Vegan, Vegetarian, Recipe

BBQ Black Eyed Pea Collard Rolls

Shares6.4kPinShareYummly

Join the Vanilla And Bean community to receive free sweet and savory vegetarian recipes, and get my Five Secrets to Vegetarian Cooking email series delivered to your inbox!

You will receive recipes and kitchen tips, along with information about our partners and offerings. For more details, review the Vanilla And Bean privacy policy.
Previous Post: « Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies
Next Post: How to Make Tostada Shells »

Primary Sidebar

well hello!

I’m Traci and this is my blog. So Glad You Stopped By!

Here you’ll find full of flavor vegetarian comfort food with vegan and gluten free recipes too. I also share sourdough, sweets and naturally sweetened baked goods and desserts recipes because we all gotta have a little balance!

Learn More About Traci  or  The Blog.

Get on the List!

Join the Vanilla And Bean community to receive Sweet and Savory Vegetarian Recipes, and get my Five Secrets to Vegetarian Cooking email series delivered to your inbox!

Right this Way to Subscribe

Start Here!

Why vegetarian, what you’ll find on Vanilla And Bean and fan favorites all right here!

Right this Way to Start

Footer

Affiliate Info

Vanilla And Bean is monetized in part through the use of affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on a link and/or purchase an item after clicking on a link, Vanilla And Bean may receive a percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use through my affiliate links. To learn more please see my Affiliate Policy. Thank you for your support!

© Vanilla And Bean, LLC  – 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of any content or images without express and written permission from this blog’s owner is prohibited. Licensing inquiries for publication, general distribution, and/or commercial use, please contact me on my contact page.

Copyright © 2023 · Vanilla and Bean · Website by Meyne

Menu

Home · Recipes · Contact · Privacy Policy
Terms of Use · Accessibility · California Privacy Notice

Copyright © 2023 · Vanilla and Bean On Genesis Framework · Log in

Get On The List!
Get On The List!
_____________________

Join the Vanilla And Bean community to receive sweet and savory vegetarian recipes, as well as my Five Secrets to Vegetarian Cooking email series delivered to your inbox.

You will receive recipes and kitchen tips, along with information about our partners and offerings. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.
  • Recipes
    ▼
    • Recipe Index
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Main Dish Recipes
    • Bread Recipes
      ▼
      • Sweet Breads
      • Savory Breads
    • Seasonal Recipes
      ▼
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Spring
      • Summer
    • Sourdough
      ▼
      • Sourdough Discard Recipes
      • Gluten Free Sourdough
    • Vegan Recipes
    • Vegetarian
    • Condiment Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
      ▼
      • Cocktails
      • Non Alcoholic
    • Dessert Recipes
  • Sign Up For Weekly Newsletter!
  • Start Here
  • Home
  • Shop
  • About
    ▼
    • Contact
    • A little bit about me…
    • Let’s Work Together
    • Blogs I’m Reading
    • Blogger Resources
Vanilla And Bean and our partners use cookies to enhance user experience and to analyze performance and traffic on our website. By using the Site, you consent to the use of cookies. Learn More

COOKIE SETTINGS   ACCEPT
Cookie Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.

Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

CookieTypeDurationDescription
__cfduid14 weeksThe cookie is set by CloudFare. The cookie is used to identify individual clients behind a shared IP address d apply security settings on a per-client basis. It doesnot correspond to any user ID in the web application and does not store any personally identifiable information.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary011 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-non-necessary011 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Non Necessary".
OptanonConsent01 yearTracks users cookie consent preferences
viewed_cookie_policy011 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Advertisement
CookieTypeDurationDescription
IDE12 yearsUsed by Google DoubleClick and stores information about how the user uses the website and any other advertisement before visiting the website. This is used to present users with ads that are relevant to them according to the user profile.
VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE15 monthsThis cookie is set by Youtube. Used to track the information of the embedded YouTube videos on a website.
Analytics

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

CookieTypeDurationDescription
_ga02 yearsThis cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to calculate visitor, session, camapign data and keep track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookies store information anonymously and assigns a randoly generated number to identify unique visitors.
_gid01 dayThis cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to store information of how visitors use a website and helps in creating an analytics report of how the wbsite is doing. The data collected including the number visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages viisted in an anonymous form.
ad-id16 monthsProvided by amazon-adsystem.com for tracking user actions on other websites to provide targeted content
GPS030 minutesThis cookie is set by Youtube and registers a unique ID for tracking users based on their geographical location
Performance

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

CookieTypeDurationDescription
_gat01 minuteThis cookies is installed by Google Universal Analytics to throttle the request rate to limit the colllection of data on high traffic sites.
YSC1This cookies is set by Youtube and is used to track the views of embedded videos.
YTCpersistent10 minutesThis cookie is set by Youtube to manage the embed and viewing of videos