Maafe (West African Peanut Soup)– A spicy peanut stew made with beef, sweet potatoes and carrots – good enough for a one pot meal and is delicious with served with rice
Maafe –aka groundnut soup, to most West Africans, an all time- time favorite African soup, a dish that is beginning to earn it’s way in the upper echelons of the soup universe. Oh yes! Don’t tell me you haven’t tried it, cause you have been missing out! Looks like Curry right? But it’s not!
Care for another groundnut soup?
Unlike the chicken version this here this creation is inspired by the traditional version mostly enjoyed in many Senegalese house holds, It begins with boiling the meat, then browning, followed by a blend of tomatoes, onions and any other spices. What sets this one apart is the addition of sweet potatoes and carrots. Making it a one pot meal or not, and it. If you choose to go that route. I must say I love the added sweetness from the potatoes and carrots . You can completely make this vegan too! if desire, just omit the protein and increase the spices.
This stew is rich with flavor and very tempting with tempting combination of flavors – garlic, ginger, herbs and of course a little bit of spice. As with most stews or soups this is open to so many variations based on your preferences, availability of ingredients and time. You can never go wrong with this soup. If there are any vegans out there, you can completely make this vegan with good results.
When my nephew was a toddler we sure had our challenges trying to get him to eat anything other than carbohydrates, this one sure did the trick, he fell head over heals with this, especially served with rice.
Here I used freshly ground peanuts, always have them handy or just use peanut butter paste.
Maafe (West African Peanut Soup)– A spicy peanut stew made with beef, sweet potatoes and carrots – good enough for a one pot meal and is delicious with served with rice
- ¼ cup oil or more
- 1-2 pounds beef or chicken
- 1 teaspoons smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoons white pepper
- 2 fresh tomatoes chopped
- 1 medium onion chopped divided
- 3-4 garlic cloves
- 2-3 tablespoons parsley
- ½ cup ground peanuts or Peanut butter paste
- 3-4 cups broth chicken or beef
- 1 or more pound vegetable potatoes, carrots
- 1 whole scotch bonnet or habanera pepper or ½ teaspoons cayenne pepper optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
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In a large saucepan, season meat with salt, and onions and boil until tender, depending on the choice of meat. You should have at least 3-4 cups of stock. Remove the meat and reserve stock (broth)
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In a large pot, heat oil over low heat, then add the beef/chicken and sauté stirring, frequently, any browned bits off the bottom of the pot. Remove and set aside
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Blend tomatoes, and 1/2 onion, garlic, and parsley. Add half of the onions to the pan , sauce for about a minute and pour the mixture in the saucepan; add paprika, white pepper and sauté for about 7-10minutes. Stirring frequently to prevent burns, add stock as needed.
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Then add potatoes, Carrots, peanut butter paste, scotch bonnet pepper and about 3 cups broth. Continue cooking until potatoes tender- about 10 or more depending on vegetables. Throw in the browned beef, Adjust the soup thickness with water if necessary.
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If not, return your soup to the heat and let simmer to desired thickness
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Drip a little soup from your stirring spoon. If you are satisfied with the thickness of your soup, serve it.
- You may skip the beef or chicken browning, if you do not want to deal with any frying or browning and proceed with the rest of the instructions.
- If you are cooking for kids, skip the cayenne pepper and leave the scotch bonnet pepper whole, if not prick to add some heat but not too much.
Can I used peanut butter?
Yes you can.
Like your recipe. Been eating groundnut stew since the late 60’s when I found a recipe, and my grandmother helped me. The recipe called for chicken, we tried every meat we thought of..but I had to delete adding okra.
The best part of making Maafe is the ease of making
I found a recipe for this before, but it didn’t turn out so great. On the hunt for a better recipe, I came across your website. We wound up making a vegan version of your recipe with collard greens, sweet potatoes, red potatoes, onions and carrots, and it was absolutely delicious! Easy to make and only needed one pot to cook it all. This is now one of my favorite dishes and recipes to make.
Thank you!
Hi there! I haven’t tried your recipe yet but I grew up eating Maafe and Poulet Yassa! The recipes were shared verbally with my mother by two different African women in Guinea. My parents were missionaries in Guinea West Africa for 9 years! I was so surprised to fined your recipes! I am making yassa tonight…but we use limes! I have never added the Dijon so I am excited to try that addition. I will be checking back for more fun recipes from my childhood home!
I used bone in chicken breast instead of beef. I used a mix of organic peanut butter paste and Jif. Then I added parsley and lime juice at the end. Very delicious. Next time I’m going to add a few smoked turkey wing pieces.
Glad it turned out great for you, Megan! Thanks for dropping by.
This was very tasty and easy to make! Thank you for posting! I added ginger and liked the way it turned out
I am excited to cook this for Easter!
You are going to love it! Happy Easter!!!
This looks delicious. I have two questions. Does this work if you make it with lamb meat? And, would it ruin the dish to tenderize the meat in milk first?
I think it would do just fine, even after you tenderize the meat. Have made this with goat meat before and everything worked just fine. Do let me know how it works for you. Thanks .
Yes it work with lamb! I’m from Mali my mom makes it with lamb and beef all the time! It warms my heart to see other people wanting to try other culture foods! We also make it with fish sometimes!
Making this for my son. for his school cultural day.thanks for d recipe
Awesome! Do let me know how it works out for you.
This was so delicious!! I made this after making + loving your African Beef Stew. This was filled with so much flavor and a kick from the habanero pepper. Like you mentioned, I loved the sweetness the carrots + sweet potatoes added. I simmered this for about 1.5 hours until my beef was tender, so some of the potato had dissolved into the stew making it more creamy and thick. It was the perfect balance of spicy, sweet + creamy. Damn, so so good. I’m looking forward to trying out your other recipes! Thank you!!
Hello sister,
I just found your site. My husband is Senegalese and I’m from a background of West Indian, Louisianan Creoles. So when I stumbled upon this site, I was like wow, wow, wow! My dear, these recipes are so on point! Husband makes maafe all the time, I practicall craved it when I was pregnant and I can’t wait to try your Jambalaya! Many thanks and God’s blessings, BTW. My daughter’s name is Immaculate!
Thank you Sis! Really makes me happy that you would take the time to share your thoughts . Can’t wait to hear how your the jambalaya turns out !!! Say hi to your daughter for me. Tell her it’s coming from another Immaculate.
This dish looks incredible! Sorting my grocery list now, would you use boneless chicken in this dish or it is better with the bone for flavor and moistness? Thank you for such an amazing blog and educating us on Afro-Caribbean cooking!
My pleasure Sandra! Glad to hear it worked out well for you.
The combination of ingredients sound delicious. Your photographs are beautifully done and they make all of your recipes look appetizing. I want to try this recipe! What cut of beef do you recommend that I use?
Sirloin would be the best cut to start with. However, any other cut would work just fine. You might just have to cook it a little more until it’s tender.
Would the taste really be compromised if I substitute the chicken broth for vegetable broth?
Thanks!
No not really.
Can you use regular peanut butter as well?
You sure can.
Wow, this looks amazing! Really enjoying your blog. It’s awesome.
Thanks Steve , glad you enjoy it!
mmmm would love me a big bowl of this! Amazing stuff!
Thanks Levan!
Wow what a hearty soup, love the flavor of peanut. Delicious!
Oh wow!! The flavors sound perfect together..I am sure most Indians would love it! Peanuts add such a wonderful flavor to things. I am definitely going to make this. Pinning!!
This dish reminds me a dish calls African chicken that is a local cuisine in Macau. Now I can see where the influence came from. Love the flavor combo of tomato and peanut, a nice and special savory flavor that is so comforting. Pinned and shared!
This is the perfect hearty meal for the weather right now. Never tried a peanut based stew or soup so I am inspired here to make the recipe.
And another delicious looking dish! I so want to try this!
It sure is Whitney!
Although I haven’t made this before I am intrigued. We love trying things new things and this dish looks superb. Nice photos too. Cheers….Mark
Aww Thanks Mark. This would a great dish to try.
The deep rich color of the sauce and my love for peanuts makes me want to reach in and taste it right now! Definitely making this!
Oh! Yummy! This is one of my favorite soup and you make it look so good!
I just discovered your website and I’m sure glad I did!! I’m going to start with plantain pancakes and work my way through trying your recipes. Thanks!
Welcome Maureen! Glad to have you here.Do let me know which ones you try out!
This looks like a hearty soup or stew! It sounds incredible too! This one needs to hit the list of “Must trys”.
This is something I would love. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
What incredible flavors going on in this dish!
Thanks Judy
I just tried this now and it was très délicieux!!! Thank you for another great recipe!
Merci Therese!
Oh boy. That sauce looks incredible. Absolutely incredible! The colour is so rich and deep, I just know it is packed full of serious flavour! Pinning!
It sure is Nagi, thanks for pinning.