Ugandan Beef and Okra Stew
A hearty and flavorful stew featuring tender chunks of beef simmered with okra, tomatoes, and aromatic spices. This dish is a popular comfort food in Uganda, often served with a side of ugali or rice.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Beef(stewing cuts like chuck or brisket, cut into 1.5-inch cubes)
- 500 g Okra(trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 400 g Tomatoes(diced (canned or fresh))
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 inch piece Ginger(grated)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 500 ml Beef broth
- 1 tsp Coriander powder
- 1 tsp Cumin powder
- 0.5 tsp Turmeric powder
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 0.5 cup Fresh cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes on all sides. Remove beef and set aside.
- 2
Add chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- 3
Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 4
Add diced tomatoes, coriander powder, cumin powder, and turmeric powder. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes start to break down.
- 5
Return the browned beef to the pot. Pour in the beef broth, season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 1 hour, or until beef is tender.
- 6
Add the cut okra to the stew. Stir well, cover, and continue to cook for another 20-30 minutes, or until okra is tender and the stew has thickened.
- 7
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓To reduce the sliminess of okra, you can blanch it in boiling water for 2 minutes before adding it to the stew, or add a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar towards the end of cooking.
- ✓Ensure the beef is tender before adding the okra, as okra cooks relatively quickly.
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can sear the beef in batches to ensure a good crust.
🔄 Variations
- Add a diced bell pepper along with the onions for extra flavor and color.
- Incorporate other vegetables like carrots or potatoes for a more substantial stew.
- For a spicier kick, add a chopped chili pepper with the garlic and ginger.