This African Peanut Stew, also called Mafe or Maafe, is one that needs to go right into your weekly dinner rotation! A few simple ingredients, and you have a rich, creamy, nutty, spicy stew that is so tasty with rice.

Alternatively, get some French bread and use it to soak up your peanut stew or serve it with any low-carb side dish you like. It is so hearty!

West African Peanut Stew

Listen to us: you have to make this Senegalese stew! We are repeating this because it is so easy to make and not complicated at all. And you probably already have all the ingredients in your pantry.

This African Peanut Stew recipe has been on our to-blog list for a while now, so we are glad to finally be bringing it to you! Unfortunately, there are many inauthentic recipes on the internet that claim to be African peanut soup or stew.

Here is some authentic West African Peanut Stew or West African Peanut Soup, depending on how you want to call it! We prefer stew because of its consistency.

It is basically West Africa on a plate, as different West African countries have their version of this stew.

Close up shot of bow of African Peanut Butter Stew

Peanut Butter Stew is enjoyed in Western African countries, such as Togo, Mali, Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon. You can find our recipe for Cameroonian Peanut Stew, also known as Groundnut Soup, here. There are several ways to make African Peanut Stew across the different countries where it is eaten!

One principle, however, remains the same. The recurring ingredient is the peanuts, or in this case, natural unsweetened peanut butter. The soup is often made with ground peanuts, known as groundnuts, and some form of protein, like beef, lamb, chicken, or fish. African Peanut Stew can equally be made vegan by simply omitting the animal protein.

This version is the Senegalese Mafé. Other names for Mafe include Maafe, sauce d’arachide (meaning peanut sauce in French) or domoda. The stew contains vegetables. We used sweet potatoes and carrots because their sweetness complements the stew’s nuttiness and spiciness so well.

What is in African Peanut Stew?

For African peanut stew, you only need a handful of simple ingredients. Here they are:

Natural Peanut Butter: Peanut butter is the main ingredient. Preferably, get the natural one with only salt added.

Beef, Lamb or Chicken: We love beef because of the flavor it gives to the peanut stew. But chicken or lamb is equally good!

Tomato sauce or paste: The combination of tomatoes and peanuts may sound strange if you aren’t used to West African cooking, but this works together perfectly well! The tomato sauce really enhances the taste and the texture of the stew. It also combines with the peanuts to lend the stew a bright orange color. You could use tomato paste too but if using tomato paste, use about half the quantity of tomato sauce the recipe calls for.

Onion: One large onion is essential here. Saute it first to create a powerful base of flavor before proceeding with the rest of the cooking.

Garlic: This lends so much flavor to the dish so do not skip the garlic!

Chicken bouillon powder: Bouillon cubes are frequently used in West African cuisine. They just give meals that extra something-something. For an authentic West African taste use bouillon powder or bouillon cubes.

Vegetable oil: For sauteing the onion.

Habanero pepper or scotch bonnet pepper: For a much needed spicy kick! The spiciness of the pepper balances the richness of the stew so well. You could also use cayenne pepper.

Root vegetables: Carrots and sweet potatoes add heartiness and texture.

For the full list of ingredients with measurements, check out the recipe card below.

How it comes together

Step 1: Heat oil in a medium to large pot on the stove top and saute chopped onions until fragrant. A Dutch oven is perfect for making this stew.

Step 2: Add the beef, tomato sauce, water, salt, and bouillon powder (or bouillon cubes), then bring to a simmer.

Step 3: Add garlic and peanut butter and let it simmer.

Step 4. Add chopped sweet potatoes and carrots, habanero or scotch bonnet and let it simmer until the potatoes are cooked through.

African Peanut Butter Stew served with rice and plantains.

What to Serve With African Peanut Stew

This African Peanut Stew can be served with boiled rice. Also, serve with some fried plantains on the side if you can. It can also be served with couscous if you want an alternative to rice. Also, we love this stew with some French bread, and we highly suggest you try it! It is a great stew that will basically complement lots of side dishes, either carb-filled or low carb.

Can You Freeze It?

Yes, you can totally freeze your African Peanut Stew! It is also a great recipe to make ahead and keep in the fridge.

Hope you enjoy this West African Peanut Stew recipe. It is the best!

Other ways

Add chicken broth to the groundnut stew instead of water.
Add sliced bell peppers and other vegetables you like.
Use chicken thighs as a substitute for beef.
For a low-carb option, serve with cauliflower rice instead of regular rice.

How to serve it

Serve this savory stew with:

Yield: 6 servings
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 40 minutes

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large onion, diced
1 pound beef, cut into 1-2 inch pieces, chuck roast works well here
8 oz tomato sauce, ¾ cup
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons chicken bouillon powder
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup natural peanut butter, no sugar added
1 cup sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1 inch pieces
½ cup carrots, chopped into 1-inch pieces
1 habanero pepper

Method

Place oil in a pot and heat up on high heat for about 3 minutes. Add the chopped onions and saute while stirring from time to time for about 5 minutes.
Add the beef, tomato sauce, four cups of water, salt and bouillon powder. Bring everything to a boil then reduce the heat and let them simmer.
Add the garlic and the peanut butter and stir well. Let it simmer for 5 minutes.
Add the sweet potatoes and carrots. Cut the habanero pepper into 2 and add to the pot (see note 1). Cover and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sweet potato is tender when pierced with a fork. Remove the habanero pepper and discard.
Serve warm over boiled rice.