Slow Cooker Peanut Stew

The combination of creamy peanut butter, hearty chickpeas, tender sweet potatoes, and warming spices makes this Slow Cooker Peanut Stew a cozy, flavor-packed meal.

Drawing inspiration from West African peanut stews, this dish brings together bold flavors in a comforting, slow-cooked format that’s perfect for busy weeknights or laid-back weekends. It’s a wonderful meal prep option and an ideal way to enjoy a satisfying plant-based dinner that’s both nutritious and soul-warming.

This peanut stew is also incredibly customizable. You can add leafy greens like kale, mix in other legumes or veggies, or even adjust the spice level to your liking. The richness of peanut butter adds a velvety texture and deep flavor, while sweet potatoes and chickpeas offer fiber and substance. Pair it with rice, couscous, or a warm piece of flatbread for a complete and hearty dinner.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp ground cumin
½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
4 cups vegetable broth
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
½ cup natural peanut butter
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh spinach (about 2 cups)
Chopped roasted peanuts and fresh cilantro for garnish

Directions:

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until soft (about 3–4 minutes).
Stir in garlic, ginger, tomato paste, cumin, and cayenne. Cook for 2 more minutes until fragrant.
Transfer the mixture to a slow cooker. Add diced tomatoes, broth, sweet potatoes, bell pepper, and chickpeas.
Stir in the peanut butter until fully dissolved into the broth.
Cook on high for 4–5 hours or low for 7–8 hours, until the sweet potatoes are tender.
In the last 10 minutes of cooking, stir in fresh spinach until wilted.
Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot, garnished with chopped peanuts and cilantro.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 7 hours (low) or 4 hours (high) | Total Time: 7 hours 15 minutes
Kcal: 420 kcal | Servings: 6 servings

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Peanut Stew

Slow Cooker Peanut Stew is a deeply comforting and nourishing dish that’s as rich in flavor as it is in nutritional value. It draws inspiration from traditional West African groundnut stews—particularly from regions like Ghana and Nigeria—where peanuts (or groundnuts) are a staple ingredient in everyday cooking. Over time, variations of this stew have found their way into Western kitchens, adapted with accessible ingredients like sweet potatoes, canned chickpeas, and leafy greens, while preserving the soul-warming essence of the original dish.

Cultural Roots and Inspiration

Groundnut stews have a rich history in African cuisine, where peanuts are ground into pastes or sauces to flavor vegetables, legumes, or meats. These stews are typically slow-cooked, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen. The inclusion of sweet potatoes and spinach in modern versions like this one offers a beautiful fusion of authentic tradition and nutritional mindfulness. By cooking it in a slow cooker, this dish retains that long-simmered depth while making it more convenient for busy home cooks.

Why This Stew Stands Out

One of the reasons this peanut stew has become a beloved favorite is because of its perfect balance of flavor, texture, and warmth. It’s creamy thanks to the peanut butter, slightly sweet from the sweet potatoes, and full of umami from the tomato paste and sautéed aromatics. The chickpeas add a hearty, protein-rich bite, while the fresh spinach stirred in at the end gives it a fresh green finish. Each spoonful is silky, earthy, and satisfying.

This is a slow cooker recipe that truly delivers on taste without requiring complex steps. You simply sauté a few ingredients for an aromatic base, then let the slow cooker do the rest. It’s a recipe that transforms pantry staples into something extraordinary.

Health Benefits of Slow Cooker Peanut Stew

This dish isn’t just delicious—it’s also a powerhouse of nutrition:

Peanut Butter: A rich source of healthy fats, plant-based protein, and magnesium. It adds creaminess while supporting heart health.
Sweet Potatoes: Packed with beta-carotene (a precursor to vitamin A), they support eye health, immune function, and skin health.
Chickpeas: These legumes are full of protein and fiber, which help promote satiety, regulate blood sugar, and improve digestion.
Spinach: High in iron, folate, and vitamin K, this leafy green boosts the dish’s overall nutrient density.
Ginger and Garlic: Known for their anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties.

Altogether, this stew is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and high in both protein and fiber, making it suitable for a wide range of diets.

Ideal for Meal Prep and Batch Cooking

Another major advantage of this peanut stew is how well it lends itself to meal prep. It stores beautifully in the fridge for several days and freezes well, making it a great option for make-ahead meals. Reheat it on the stovetop or microwave and you’ll find the flavors become even more robust the next day.

It’s also easy to double the recipe if you’re feeding a family or planning for leftovers. Pair it with fluffy rice, quinoa, or even crusty bread to stretch it further. Many people also enjoy topping it with hot sauce, a squeeze of lime, or even a spoonful of coconut cream for extra richness.

Customizations and Adaptability

This recipe is very forgiving, and you can adapt it based on what you have on hand or dietary needs:

Spice Level: Add more cayenne or chili flakes if you like heat, or omit it entirely for a milder version.
Greens: Kale, collard greens, or Swiss chard can be used instead of spinach.
Proteins: While chickpeas are a great vegetarian protein, you could also add lentils or even tofu cubes.
Thickeners: If you want an even thicker stew, you can blend a portion of the cooked mixture and stir it back in.

Comfort Food with a Global Twist

Slow Cooker Peanut Stew is the kind of recipe that introduces you to new flavors while still feeling familiar and cozy. The peanut butter and sweet potatoes offer a nostalgic comfort food vibe, while the ginger, garlic, and cumin bring a warming depth of flavor that feels rooted in African cuisine. It’s global-inspired cooking at its best—accessible, adaptable, and always satisfying.

Perfect for Every Season

While it’s particularly comforting during colder months, this stew can be enjoyed year-round. In the fall and winter, its warming spices and creamy texture offer that cozy, hug-in-a-bowl feel. In spring or summer, serve it with fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and a crisp salad to brighten up the flavors.

Eco-Friendly and Budget-Friendly

With most ingredients being pantry staples or inexpensive produce, this recipe is a wallet-friendly option for plant-based eaters and families looking to reduce meat consumption without sacrificing satisfaction. Because it’s vegan and doesn’t rely on animal products, it also has a lower environmental footprint—something that makes it an even more feel-good dish.

Conclusion

Slow Cooker Peanut Stew is more than just a recipe—it’s a celebration of flavor, nutrition, and cultural inspiration. Whether you’re new to plant-based meals or a seasoned vegetarian, this stew offers everything you want in a hearty dinner: easy prep, budget-conscious ingredients, wholesome nourishment, and flavor that keeps you coming back for more. Serve it with rice, top it with crunchy peanuts, and you’ve got yourself a dish that feels both comforting and exciting at the same time.

It’s not just a stew—it’s your new favorite go-to for weeknights, meal prep, and cozy weekends.

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