Zimbabwean Okra and Beef Stew
A flavorful and satisfying stew featuring tender chunks of beef simmered with okra, tomatoes, and onions. This dish is a staple in many Zimbabwean households, offering a comforting and nutritious meal often served with sadza.
🧂 Ingredients
- 750 g Beef(stewing cuts like chuck or brisket, cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 400 g Okra(fresh or frozen, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 400 g Tomatoes(canned chopped, or fresh ripe tomatoes, chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 tablespoon Ginger(grated)
- 3 tablespoons Vegetable oil
- 500 ml Beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Curry powder
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- a handful Fresh cilantro or parsley(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season beef cubes with salt and pepper.
- 2
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes on all sides in batches. Remove beef and set aside.
⏱️ 10-12 minutes - 3
Add chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened and lightly browned.
⏱️ 5-7 minutes - 4
Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 minute - 5
Add curry powder and stir well, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 6
Pour in the chopped tomatoes and beef broth. Bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
⏱️ 3 minutes - 7
Return the browned beef to the pot. Bring the stew back to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 1 hour, or until beef is tender.
⏱️ 1 hour💡 Tip: Stir occasionally. - 8
Add the prepared okra to the stew. Stir gently to combine.
💡 Tip: Adding okra too early can make it mushy. If using frozen okra, you may not need to pre-cook it. - 9
Continue to simmer, uncovered, for another 20-30 minutes, or until the okra is tender and the stew has thickened slightly.
⏱️ 20-30 minutes💡 Tip: Stirring okra too much can release its slime; stir only when necessary. - 10
Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro or parsley before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓To reduce the sliminess of okra, you can lightly sauté it separately before adding it to the stew, or add a splash of lemon juice or vinegar towards the end of cooking.
- ✓Ensure the beef is tender before adding the okra.
- ✓Serve hot with sadza or rice.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like diced carrots or bell peppers along with the onions.
- For a richer flavor, a small amount of tomato paste can be added with the tomatoes.