African Peanut Stew (Domoda)

⏱ 85 min · Serves 6

Domoda is a beloved West African peanut stew with a rich, deeply savory sauce built around peanut butter, tomatoes, and tender chunks of beef and pumpkin — a true one-pot comfort meal.

Per serving: 480 kcal · 28.0g protein · 24.0g carbs · 31.0g fat

Ingredients

• 1 lb beef steak or chuck
• 1 large onion (, diced)
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil ((avocado, canola, etc))
• 3 cloves garlic (, minced)
• 3 Roma tomatoes (, finely diced (or 3/4 of a 14.5 ounce can))
• 3 ounces concentrated tomato paste
• Scotch bonnet chilies (, diced, according to heat preference (optional))
• 3/4 cup natural unsweetened peanut butter
• 4 tomato bouillon cubes ((this is traditional in Africa for this stew; can substitute beef or chicken broth))
• 3 cups water
• 4 cups pumpkin or sweet potato (, diced)
• salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Warm the oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and golden.
2. Add the beef and minced garlic to the pot. Continue to cook, stirring, until the beef is browned on all sides and no longer pink inside.
3. Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and scotch bonnet chilies if using. Let everything cook together for 3–4 minutes to meld the flavors.
4. Add the peanut butter and stir until it is fully incorporated into the tomato mixture.
5. Pour in the water and crumble in the tomato bouillon cubes. Stir well, then bring the stew to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and let it simmer gently for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Add the diced pumpkin or sweet potato to the pot. Cover again and continue simmering for another 20–25 minutes, until the pumpkin is tender and the stew has thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.