Okra and Beef Stew
Bamia Tabiq
A hearty and flavorful stew featuring tender chunks of beef simmered with okra in a rich tomato-based sauce, seasoned with aromatic spices. This dish is a staple in South Sudanese cuisine and is often enjoyed with rice or traditional flatbreads like Kisra.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Beef (stewing cuts, e.g., chuck or lamb shoulder)(cut into 4-5 cm chunks)
- 3 large Onions(finely chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 400 g Tomatoes(chopped, or 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes)
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 500 g Okra(fresh or frozen, trimmed and halved if large)
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 1 Cinnamon stick
- 2 tsp Coriander powder
- 2 tsp Cumin powder
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 4-5 cups Water or beef broth
- 1/4 cup Fresh dill(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef chunks and sear on all sides until browned. Remove beef and set aside.
- 2
Add the chopped onions to the same pot and sauté until softened and lightly golden. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 3
Stir in the chopped tomatoes (or crushed tomatoes) and tomato paste. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down and the sauce thickens slightly.
- 4
Return the seared beef to the pot. Add the cinnamon stick, coriander powder, cumin powder, salt, and black pepper. Pour in 4 cups of water or beef broth, ensuring the meat is mostly submerged. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer.
- 5
After 1 hour, check the beef for tenderness. If it's not yet tender, continue simmering. Add the okra to the pot. If the stew seems too thick, add the remaining cup of water or broth.
- 6
Continue to simmer, covered, until the okra is tender and the beef is very tender, about another 30 minutes. Adjust seasoning if needed. Remove the cinnamon stick before serving.
- 7
Garnish with fresh chopped dill and serve hot with rice, Kisra, or other preferred flatbread.
💡 Tip: For a richer flavor, you can add a beef stock cube along with the water/broth.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the beef is tender before adding the okra, as okra cooks relatively quickly.
- ✓If using fresh okra, you can lightly sauté it separately before adding to the stew for a less slimy texture.
- ✓Adjust the amount of water to achieve your desired stew consistency.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add other vegetables like carrots or potatoes along with the beef in step 4.
- For a spicier dish, add a chopped chili pepper with the onions.