Zambian Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes
A hearty and flavorful beef stew, slow-cooked with sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and a blend of Zambian spices. This dish offers a comforting balance of savory and sweet, often served with nshima.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Beef chuck(cut into 2-inch cubes)
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 tbsp Ginger(freshly grated)
- 400 g Tomatoes(canned diced)
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 4 cups Beef broth
- 2 large Sweet potatoes(peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 2 tsp Curry powder
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Coriander
- 0.5 tsp Chili powder(or to taste)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Pat the beef dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
- 2
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Remove beef and set aside.
- 3
Add chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 4
Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, curry powder, cumin, coriander, and chili powder. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- 5
Return the browned beef to the pot. Pour in the beef broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- 6
Bring the stew to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 1 hour, or until the beef is tender.
- 7
Add the cubed sweet potatoes to the pot. Stir, cover, and continue to simmer for another 30 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender.
- 8
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can brown the beef in two batches.
- ✓If the stew becomes too thick, add a little more beef broth or water.
- ✓Adjust the chili powder to your preferred level of spice.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like carrots or bell peppers along with the sweet potatoes.
- For a creamier texture, stir in a tablespoon of peanut butter towards the end of cooking.