Gambian Liberian Peanut Stew Recipe

Surely, you have tried many stews before. Right? But have you ever tried the Gambian peanut stew recipe? Well, it is a delicious and spicy stew that is very popular in Western Africa, especially in Liberia foods and Gambia. In fact, there are a wide variety of stews in the world, but this African peanut butter stew stands out for its unique flavor, making it popular among vegetarian African food. Our Liberian Gambian peanut stew is not only trending, it also has affordable ingredients and easy to prepare.

Moreover, this healthy dish is full of vitamins (vitamin B3, calcium, etc.) that contribute to its great nutritional value. Do you like vegetarian African food? Are you fond of stews? Don’t miss our delicious peanut stew recipe. In this tutorial, we’ll show you all the tips on how to make it yourself, without having to travel to Liberia or Gambia.

Liberian essentials for peanut butter stew

The hype around African peanut butter stew

First off, peanut stew is a staple Liberia foods and West Africa because peanuts are cheap and one can cook the stew with many variations. This dish can have green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, chilies, carrots, bell peppers, and various other spices (not excessive like berbere spice blend).

People from other cultures love African peanut butter stew because it give them another perspective how to eat peanut butter. Excluding those with peanut allergies, who doesn’t love peanut butter? As you make this stew, you may use either vegetables or add any plant protein of choice. Of Liberia foods, is vegetarian African food simple or what?

Related: Flavorful Liberian Fufu and Soup Recipe

people from other cultures love African peanut butter stew because it give them another perspective how to eat peanut butter. Excluding those with peanut allergies, who doesn't love peanut butter right? As you make this stew, you may use either  vegetables or add any plant protein of choice; Gambian peanut stew a vegetarian African food.
Tofu and shitake mushrooms peanut stew with Brown rice

Things to know about peanut stew recipe

Indeed, peanut stew recipe flavor comes from sautéed onions, garlic and habanero before adding peanut butter. For the uninitiated, the combinations in this stew may seem strange. But, you’ll never know until you try it. For color, add tomato chunks or tomato paste or salsa. Know that, Liberians are simple in their way of life and that is reflected in their food ingredients such as this one. Liberians like no fuss, rich taste, filling food that is also affordable. Which they always manage to achieve with minimal ingredients.

Furthermore, in Liberia foods you will notice we love good-smelling food packed with flavor. Nutrition, in the sense that one must eat from all the food groups, is an afterthought. The catch is, Liberians always use fresh ingredients and they trust the contents will balance out nutritionally. You can serve it in a bowl as a soup, just like our African Pumpkin Stew, or over whole grains, and we suggest brown rice. Recap, any peanut stew devoid of vegetables is a Liberian peanut butter stew. Fun fact, Liberians love rice, next to Madagascar. Oh, and fufu takes the cake.

Plantain fufu, peanut soup, with ground toasted sesame seeds

How Gambian peanut stew recipe is different

Gambian Peanut stew may be known in other regions of Gambia as Domoda or Domada. Undoubtedly, Gambian peanut soup is different because it incorporates leafy vegetables, carrots, or even potatoes.

Once you taste a bite of this thick, hearty, spicy concoction, you’ll want more.  Some people even add peas or sweet potatoes to their version so one does not need to eat it with rice per se. If you make it thick it is a stew or if you want it lighter, add more water to make it soupy. After you taste it, you can decide for yourself what you want to call it. 

Now that you understand the difference between Gambia and Liberian Peanut stew recipe, which one is your favorite and why? Keep in mind there are economic reasons that preclude certain people from indulging in veggie frenzy.

No frills peanut butter stew, Best West African food. Underneath is brown rice for optimal results.
Soaking up the brown rice nicely

Would you smash or pass up peanut stew?

Certainly, there are varieties of stews in Africa, but the best places to find an authentic peanut butter stew are likely Liberia and Gambia. This dish is one of the Liberian and Gambian specialties.

Gambian peanut stew with fufu, vegetarian African food.
Clearly I didn’t bother to ground the sesame seeds

Your vegetarian African food meal just got beefed with juicy details. Pun intended. Note, people usually eat peanut stew with steamed rice or couscous, especially millet. Liberians are likely to only eat rice with Peanut stew and Gambians eat couscous or millet. It’s a social construct. Want to try another stew dish? Our tasty Egusi stew recipe is also one you might enjoy.

Alas, the part you’ve been waiting for, the recipe instructions. Not only will you learn how to cook Gambian peanut stew, you will discover a whole host of other African dishes here so be sure to stick around for more. Subscribe to our free newsletter to make sure you don’t miss our next recipes and follow us on our facebook and instagram page to see what we hop-to next. Get it? Rabbit food, hop to…

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peanutstew-mushroom-tofu_humblevege

Gambian Liberian Peanut Stew Recipe

Yield: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Additional Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

African peanut butter stew won’t let you down.

The fine blend of veggies, tomato paste and peanut butter makes it an incredibly rich and creamy. By far the best African peanut butter stew that is very vegetarian in nature. You will not be hungry after eating this.

Follow the steps listed below to make lip-smacking Liberian Gambian peanut stew:

Ingredients

  • 1/2cup & 1/3 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
  • 3 Tbsp Vegetable oil
  • 1 8oz Can diced tomato (any kind you like)
  • 1 Onion diced
  • 1/2 Cup tomato salsa (OPTIONAL)
  • 1 Tbsp mince garlic
  • 1-2 Habanero Pepper diced
  • 2.5 cups of Broth OR 2 vege bullion cubes soaked in 2.5cups hot water
  • 1-2 cups of water additional
  • 1/4- 1teaspoon Salt & Pepper to taste

Instructions

    1. Chop onion and set it aside.
    2. In a stockpot over medium heat, pour three tablespoons of vegetable oil.
    3. Add chopped onions and sauté till they turn a light golden brown color.  
    4. Meanwhile, sieve or strain an 8-ounce can of diced tomato juice until only tomato pieces are left over. This would help control added salt.
    5. In the pot, add one tablespoon of finely minced garlic. Stir fry for a few minutes.
    6. Add drained tomatoes and stir to combine everything.
    7. Add half a cup of tomato salsa and simmer for about 2 to 3 minutes. This is optional though.
    8. Season the stew with one-fourth teaspoon of salt or add as per your taste.
    9. Stir fry till the mixture gets dry.
    10. Add half a cup (or more, if desired) of creamy peanut butter and stir in until the whole mixture becomes smooth.
    11. Add gradually two and a half cups of broth while stirring continuously. If not available, soak two vege bouillon cubes in two and a half cups of hot water.
    12. Stir until tomatoes and peanut butter are mostly dissolved into the broth. Simmer for a 2 minutes. After that, Add half a cup of water.
    13. Add one teaspoon of pepper or as desired. Add one diced green habanero peppers. Stir to combine all the contents.
    14. Bring the stew to a boil. Then, partially cover the pot to prevent the vegetarian peanut soup from boiling over. Boil for 15-20mins.
    15. Cook it more to thicken the consistency or cook it less to make it more soupy. You can add water if you want to increase the quantity of vegetarian peanut soup.
    16. After that time, taste the stew and add salt and pepper as per your taste preferences.
    17. Enjoy your African peanut butter stew with plantain fufu or brown rice. This is optional but you can sprinkle toasted ground sesame seeds or as Liberians call it benneh seeds.

Notes

This Gambian Liberian peanut stew is a complete meal in a bowl.

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