Cozy Sweet Potato & Peanut Stew
Dec 21, 2025 12:15 PM
This sweet potato peanut stew is creamy, nourishing, and the kind of meal you'll want to curl up with on chilly nights. It's simple enough for weeknights but also perfect for cozy dinners-in with friends. The stew was inspired by my studies in West Africa and is made with sweet potatoes, peanut butter, coconut milk, greens, and warm spices. It's also naturally vegan.
This recipe is inspired by West-African groundnut stews. I studied in Senegal during college, where I first fell in love with peanut-based soups and stews. I've loved peanut butter in soups and stews ever since. This simple vegan stew is my own hodgepodge creation, made with staples I usually have on hand. It's easy to make and weeknight-friendly.
When I was developing this stew, the balance came from combining peanut butter with coconut milk for a plush texture that doesn't feel heavy. A splash of lime juice brightens everything up, while a pinch of cinnamon and smoked paprika adds depth. The base is intentionally mild so kids can enjoy it too, but if you love spice, you can toss in chili flakes with the aromatics.
I've tested this recipe multiple times to make sure the peanut butter blends smoothly and the sweet potatoes cook evenly. Chopping all the vegetables the same size before you start makes the process flow easier and more relaxing.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons neutral vegetable oil (such as grapeseed or safflower)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 1 small red bell pepper, diced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finey chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 pound sweet potatoes (1 large or 2 medium potatoes)
- 1 13.5- ounce can coconut milk
- 3 cups water
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2-3 cups chopped kale or collard greens (stems discarded)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
For serving
- Chopped peanuts
- Chopped cilantro
- Hot sauce or chili flakes
- Lime wedges
Prep Time:
20 minutes
Cook Time:
30 minutes
Total Time:
50 minutes
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