Vegan Sweet Potato Peanut Stew
An African stew made with sweet potatoes, peanut butter, kidney beans and stewed tomatoes. I know it sounds like an odd combination but this Vegan Sweet Potato Peanut Stew is out of this world!
(updated photos and recipe 2/2/2015)
A few weeks ago, I got an email from my friend, Julie, saying she had gone to book club where the hostess served the most amazing vegan stew. In fact she told me, it was so good I gave myself a stomach ache.
If I’m being honest, hearing the words “vegan stew” didn’t really do much for me and because Julie is such a health nut, I wondered if I could possibly get excited over a stew made mostly of sweet potatoes.
But after reading the recipe she attached, my curiosity was piqued. It just so happens this vegan stew includes some of my favorite ingredients and flavor profiles: peanut butter, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, coconut and cilantro.
I went to the store that afternoon to buy the ingredients because I was so interested in trying it. Start to finish, this took me less than 45 minutes. Gotta love a meal that can be on the table so quick! My husband didn’t really care for the dish as he’s not a big sweet potato guy but it wasn’t a problem because the stew got better as it sat and I happily ate it for lunch the next 4 days. This can be eaten on it’s own or served over steamed rice or couscous.
A quick note: Julie’s daughter has a peanut allergy and so as much as she wanted to make this at home, she isn’t comfortable having peanuts in the house. I suggested she try almond butter and she said it turned out great!
I adjusted the original recipe she gave me ever so slightly to make it my own~ that’s how I do things.
PrintSweet Potato Peanut Stew
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Description
This sweet potato and peanut stew is so hearty and delicious, you’ll forget that it’s vegan! Make sure to garnish with lots of fresh cilantro!
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 red bell peppers, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch squares
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
- ¾ cup natural peanut butter (smooth or chunky will work)
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch cubes
- 1– 14 oz can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1– 14 oz can diced tomatoes
- 2– 2 1/2 cups good vegetable stock
- 1 teaspoon salt
- dry roasted peanuts, fresh cilantro and lime for garnish
Instructions
- Heat coconut oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add bell pepper and jalapeno pepper and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in brown sugar, ginger, cumin, and cinnamon, and cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in peanut butter, distributing evenly throughout.
- Add sweet potatoes, kidney beans, and tomatoes and stir to coat.
- Add 2 cups vegetable stock, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer until sweet potatoes are soft, about 30 minutes. Stir in salt. (Add up to 1 cup of additional stock if you need it.)
- Garnish with dry roasted peanuts, chopped cilantro and lime wedges. Serve over steamed rice or couscous.
18 Comments
This sounds just delicious! Just subscribed to your blog and am really enjoying seeing the things you’re cooking.
Thanks, Kayln. Hope you enjoy the stew– it’s a new favorite around here!
Just made this for lunch and it was soooo good! My sis and I are vegetarians and we pass each other recipes often. She is gonna love this! Thank you!
You’re welcome, it’s one of my favorites!!
Love this recipe! Will be linking back to this in my upcoming post 🙂
Thanks, Marla!!
Do you know roughly how many servings this is? Trying to decide whether to double. 🙂 Thanks!
It makes about 6 servings
I made this recipe tonight. It was very good but a bit runny. I’m wondering if I added too much liquid. The ingredients list 2 cups of vegetable stock and 2 cups water. However, the instructions say to add vegetable stock or water (see step 6). So… are you supposed to use a total of 2 cups of liquid, or 4 cups?
I’m so sorry- it is either 2 cups of water OR 2 cups of vegetable stock. I corrected the typo within the recipe!
Thanks for the reply. No problem about the mistake. We just thought of it as a thick soup, rather than a stew. It was still good.
Love the easy-ness and simplicity or this recipe. And as you say, the flavor profiles….Can’t wait to try.
This looks fantastic and oh so comforting. I love sweet potatoes, so I’ll have your husband’s serving. Send it right along!
Ohhhhhhhh…. I’ve been wanting to try making peanut stew. You’ve inspired me.
I made this and it’s phenomenal. Really hearty and with just the right amount of flavor/spice/goodness. Looking forward to having it for lunch this week!
So yummy!! I followed the recipe although I did reduce the amount of cinnamon just for my personal taste buds. It was quite easy and came together quickly and easy! Definitely making this again and again. (ps can’t wait to have leftovers for lunch tomorrow)
Nice!!!
I have made this at least five times since I stumbled upon this post. It is excellent! Layers of flavors, so very hearty AND vegetarian! Love it!