I am glad to finally be able to share with you my classic Kenyan beef stew recipe. Beef is slowly stewed in tomatoes, curry powder, and other spices to give you some hearty and fork-tender stew to serve alongside some Swahili pilau or your favorite side dishes!
You can make this beef stew on the stovetop or using your Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker.
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Just like with most African recipes, actually all recipes, there is no cast in stone way of making East African or Kenyan beef stew. Variations are normally based on the type of vegetables used. The base of the stew is tomatoes and the key is in using fresh vegetables, which will depend on the seasonality.
The ''how to'' make East African or Kenyan beef stew has evolved over time. Nowadays, most people use stock cubes or Royco (a type of flavor enhancer made out of cornstarch, herbs, and spices). Since we are making the healthy version, we will only be using natural ingredients for this recipe. Speaking of which, make sure to check out this coconut chicken (Kuku Paka, ugali, and beef samosa recipes!
Equipment and Ingredients
- Cutting board - to chop the beef. You can also ask your butcher to cut it for you.
- Sharp knife
- A medium-sized pot or pan - just make sure the pan is wide or deep enough for the stock.
- 6 or 8 Quart Instant Pot - for the instant pot method.
- Stewing beef - use other cuts of meat if you prefer, just make sure that it does not have too many bones.
- Spices - curry powder, black pepper, smoked paprika, turmeric.
- Pantry staples - salt and olive oil.
- Vegetables - red bell peppers, tomato, tomato puree, onion and cilantro (optional). We use red onions in Kenya because they are more readily available and affordable. You can also use some yellow onions. Other optional vegetables for this Kenyan beef stew recipe include carrots, peas, potatoes or green bell peppers.
Here is how to make Kenyan Beef Stew
STEP 1
Use your chopping board to cut your beef into stewing chunks. Season it with a teaspoon of salt, curry powder, turmeric, smoked paprika, and black pepper, and allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight for best results.
STEP 2
Using your blender or hand mixer, process onion, the remaining salt, tomato, red bell pepper, and tomato puree. Use a pestle and mortar to grind the garlic and ginger. Alternatively, process the garlic and ginger with the tomatoes in the blender if you prefer.
STEP 3
Under high heat, heat a medium-sized pot or pan then add the oil. Add the beef chunks and allow them to brown (about 2-3 minutes) on each side. Turn and allow the other side to brown for about 2 minutes, then stir in the garlic and ginger. Fry for a further 2 minutes until fragrant then add the blended tomato mixture and stir.
If making this on the stovetop, simmer for 30-45 minutes, stirring from time to time. You can add more water if you prefer your stew to have more sauce or if it is too dry. Please bear in mind that the total time will depend on how tough or soft your meat is, so feel free to add more liquid and increase the cooking time if too tough, and vice versa.
STEP 4
Serve this Kenyan beef stew with some ranch cauliflower mash or your favorite side dish.
Instant Pot Instructions
If using the Instant Pot, cook the beef according to steps 1-3 above in the Instant Pot. Close the lid, making sure it is set to SEAL then set the Instant Pot to pressure cook for 25 minutes. Once the cooking time is over, allow the Kenyan beef stew to naturally pressure-release for at least 10 minutes before using the manual pressure-release function.
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The recipe was modified with process shots in January 2022. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, at no extra cost to you.
📖 Recipe
Classic Kenyan Beef Stew Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lbs beef (approx. 500g )
- 1 can tomato puree or blended tomatoes (see notes) (approx. 14 oz or 400 grams - use more or less tomatoes, depending on how you prefer your stew)
- 1 tomato medium-sized
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1½ onions medium-sized
- 2 red bell peppers
- 3 cloves garlic
- 0.5 " ginger (slightly more than 1 cm in length)
- 3-4 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoon salt (use more or less salt, depending on taste)
- ½ teaspoon curry powder (use quarter of a teaspoon or leave it out if you do not like curry powder)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ¾ cup water (see notes)
- ⅓ cup chopped cilantro (coriander) optional
Instructions
- Use your chopping board to cut your beef into stewing chunks. Season it with a teaspoon of salt, curry powder, turmeric, smoked paprika and black pepper and allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight for best results.
- Using your blender, process onion, the remaining salt, tomato, red bell pepper and tomato puree.
- Use a pestle and mortar to crush the garlic and ginger.
- Under high heat, heat a medium-sized pot or pan then add the oil. Add the beef chunks and allow them to brown (about 2-5 minutes) on each side. Turn and allow the other side to brown for about 2 minutes, then stir in the crushed garlic, ginger, and tomato paste. Fry for a further 2-5 minutes until brown and fragrant then add the blended tomato mixture and stir.
- Simmer for 30-45 minutes (see notes below), stirring from time to time. You can add water, a little at a time, if you prefer more sauce or if your pan feels too dry. Also check for salt and pepper at this point and add some more, if preferred.
- Garnish with some coriander or parsley. Serve while hot and enjoy with your favourite side dish.
Notes
- Tomato puree is similar to blended tomatoes, do not confuse it with tomato paste.
- The total time excludes the time it takes to marinate the meat and will differ, depending on how soft or tough your meat is. Softer beef will take anything from 20 minutes, while tougher cuts may take up to an hour.
- You can also stir in other vegetables such as carrots, peas, potatoes, or green bell peppers into the stew.
- Add more water, a little at a time, if you prefer your stew to have more sauce or if you notice your stew is getting too dry.
- Feel free to leave out the curry powder, if you do not like curry, or use less tomato puree for a thinner sauce.
- To make this stew on the Instant Pot: Add the beef, blended ingredients, and spices to the Instant Pot. Close the lid, making sure it is set to SEAL then set the Instant Pot to pressure cook for 25 minutes. Once the cooking time is over, allow the Kenyan Beef stew to naturally pressure release for at least 10 minutes before using the manual pressure release function. How your meat cooks will depend on how soft or tough of a cut you are using.
Morgan
Can’t wait for ours to get done in the Instant Pot. Love the simple ingredients and I SO prefer these flavors over those of traditional American beef stew. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Kate Hahnel
thank you very much! Feel free to get back to me in case you have any questions, eg on further serving suggestions.
Britney
This recipe was so good and so easy to make! It’s perfect for my busy life because it didn’t take too much to make and get everything chopped and ready. Love it!
Jazz
This is similar to Nigerian stew I make and so good! Will be enjoying this again with my family.
Chenée Lewis
The flavors in this beef stew were amazing!! And I love that I can make it in the instant pot -- I will be making this constantly this winter!
Robin
The exquisite flavor profile of the dish pleased my entire family.
Capri
I love everything about this! The flavors are great and it was super easy to make! I am definitely keeping this recipe on hand so I can make it again!
Chenée Lewis
I'm so glad I found this recipe! It's so easy and SO full of flavor!
Samantha
I've tried similar African beef stew recipes, but this one is even better with the addition of tumeric!
Crystal
This was delicious! Thank you for including instant pot directions!
Aline
Sooo good!!! Served it over rice and my family LOVED IT!! Thanks!
Marta
The smoked paprika and turmeric made this dish even better than I could imagine. Next time, I think I'll try making it with goat meat. Another hit!
Samiah Nicole
This stew is absolutely delicious! Full of flavor and great for the chilly weather.
Kevin Foodie
African meals are very similar to to Jamaican meals. We share some of the same ingredients and style of meal preparation. Love this quick and easy beef stew recipe
Renia
The perfect recipe for this chilly weather! The rich deep flavors really warm you up!
Garett
There's no measurement for the ginger or garlic so I guessed. Also I'd let it saute for a moment so you can deglaze the inner pot before pressure cooking.i haven't finished cooking the recipe though and I already know it's going to taste amazing.
Kate Hahnel
Just added it, thanks so much for spotting that. Let me know how it turned out. Would also love to know what you served it with, yum!
Barry J.
It's cold and rainy so I'm looking forward to making this tonight! The combination of beef, curry and ginger sound amazing.
Jessica Lawson
Simple and so flavorful. Will be on repeat for me throughout the cold weather season!