IMG 20230710 WA0032

Authentic Potato Leaf Stew – Rich, Nutty & Bursting with Flavor

By Tima Gaye

🍲 Jump to Recipe

💚 Why You’ll Love This Potato Leaf Stew

  • ✔️ Bold, Traditional Flavors: Each bite is packed with earthy greens, nutty peanut richness, and tender, seasoned meats.
  • ✔️ Nutrient-Rich Ingredients: Loaded with protein, healthy greens, and natural fats to fuel your body and soul.
  • ✔️ Perfect for Sharing: This stew is a family favorite, ideal for gatherings, special occasions, or cozy dinners.
  • ✔️ One-Pot Wonder: Minimal fuss, maximum flavor—everything simmers beautifully in one pot.
  • ✔️ Rich Cultural Heritage: A West African favorite rooted in tradition, love, and comfort.

📚 Table of Contents

Introduction

If you’re craving a hearty, soulful dish that brings bold African flavors straight to your kitchen, this Potato Leaf Stew is a must-try. Made with tender meat, creamy groundnuts, fresh potato leaves, and a blend of traditional spices, every bite is deeply satisfying. Whether you enjoy it with rice, fufu, or by itself, this classic West African dish is all about comfort, tradition, and flavor. Let’s walk through each step to bring this beautiful stew to life in your home!

🧂 Ingredients for Potato Leaf Stew

🌿 Base Ingredients:

  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2–3 spring onions, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 habanero pepper (or to taste)
  • 1 seasoning cube (your choice)
  • 1 tbsp locust beans (optional, for traditional flavor)
  • 2 tbsp ground peanuts
  • ½ cup palm oil
  • 1 bunch fresh potato leaves, chopped
  • Salt, to taste

🍖 Proteins:

  • 1kg boiled beef or goat meat
  • 1 cup cooked shaki (tripe)
  • 1 cup cow belly (optional)
  • ½ cup prawns (optional, for seafood richness)
  • Boiled mackerel fish

Boil the Meat for a Flavorful Start

Start by adding your chosen meat—beef, goat, or a mix of both—into a large pot. Pour in enough water to cover the meat and season generously with salt. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently until the meat is tender and juicy. This early step locks in moisture and sets the stage for a richly flavored stew.

At the same time, boil your mackerel separately in lightly salted water until just cooked, then set it aside. We’ll add it toward the end for that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture and an added layer of seafood flavor.

Raw beef and goat meat simmering in a pot of salted water during the initial boiling stage.

Blend the Flavor Base

In a blender, combine roughly chopped onions, spring onions, green bell pepper, garlic cloves, a handful of locust beans, and slices of red and green habanero pepper. Crumble in a seasoning cube and blend everything until smooth. This vibrant mix creates a deeply aromatic and flavorful base that gives your soup its authentic taste and bold character.

A bowl filled with chopped onions, green bell pepper, red chili, and fermented locust beans ready for blending.

Infuse the Meat with Flavor

Once the meat is cooked through, pour the blended spice mixture directly into the pot. Stir gently and let it sit for about 30 minutes, uncovered or on medium heat. This resting period allows the bold, aromatic blend to fully infuse the meat, ensuring every bite is rich, savory, and deeply seasoned. Don’t rush—this step builds depth and soul into the stew.

Blended spice mixture being poured over tender meat simmering in a pot.

🥜 Add the Peanut Powder and Build Depth

Once all the ingredients have blended nicely together and simmered for about 1 to 1½ hours, it’s time to take your soup to the next level. Gently stir in the ground peanut powder, mixing thoroughly as you go. This is the moment your soup starts to thicken into that signature velvety texture, rich with nutty depth and warmth.

Let it simmer over low to medium heat, allowing the peanut to fully dissolve and bind the flavors together. Stir occasionally to avoid sticking at the bottom. As the soup bubbles slowly, your kitchen will fill with an irresistible aroma—earthy, rich, and deeply comforting..

Ground peanuts being stirred into a rich stew in a cooking pot.

🍲 Add Shaki, Cow Belly & Potato Leaves – Build Texture and Finish Strong

As the soup base thickens and the flavors begin to blend beautifully, it’s time to layer in more goodness. Gently stir in your precooked shaki and cow belly—these rich, textured cuts add depth and a satisfying bite to your stew.

At this stage, if the sauce feels too thick, you can add a small splash of palm oil to loosen it slightly and boost the richness. No worries if you’re skipping palm oil—the stew will still be delicious.

Next, add your chopped potato leaves, stirring them in to distribute evenly. These leaves bring a fresh, earthy flavor and vibrant green color that perfectly complements the richness of the peanuts and meat. Stir gently and allow everything to simmer together until the leaves are soft but still bright.

This final combination brings everything together into a thick, hearty, flavor-packed soup you’ll be proud to serve.

A scoop of shaki and cow belly being added to a thick orange peanut soup.

🍲 Final Touch – Mackerel, Prawns & That Glossy Palm Oil Finish

Now it’s time to bring it all together.

Carefully add the boiled mackerel, breaking it gently into large chunks so it stays beautifully flaky. Next, toss in the prawns—these little gems cook quickly and bring a sweet, ocean-fresh flavor that lifts the whole dish. If you like a kick, now’s the perfect time to add an extra habanero pepper for heat that lingers just right.

For that final layer of flavor and color, drizzle in a bit more palm oil. This gives your stew that signature richness and shine that makes it look as good as it tastes.

Let everything simmer uncovered for 8–10 minutes, just until the prawns are cooked through and the mackerel has absorbed all those wonderful, nutty, spicy flavors. Your kitchen will be filled with a bold, comforting aroma that signals—it’s time to serve and enjoy.

West African peanut soup simmering with tender meat and green potato leaves in palm oil.

🥄 Time to Enjoy Your Potato Leaf Stew

The moment you’ve been waiting for—time to dig in! Serve this rich, hearty Potato Leaf Stew over steamed rice or your favorite side. Every bite is loaded with bold spices, tender meat, creamy groundnuts, and the earthy goodness of potato leaves. Whether it’s for Sunday dinner or a special gathering, this dish brings comfort and tradition to your table.

✨ Don’t forget to snap a photo and tag Cook with Tima—I’d love to see your delicious creation!

Potato Leaf Stew served over fluffy white rice on a plate

💡 Tips for Success

  • ✔️ Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh leaves, well-cleaned meats, and good-quality palm oil make a huge difference in the final taste.
  • ✔️ Simmer Slowly: Don’t rush. Let your stew simmer low and slow to let the flavors fully develop.
  • ✔️ Stir Gently: Especially after adding fish or prawns—stir carefully so they stay intact.
  • ✔️ Balance the Salt: Taste as you go. Add your bouillon cube first before deciding on extra salt.
  • ✔️ Adjust the Spice: If you prefer less heat, reduce the habanero. Love spice? Add an extra whole one toward the end!

💡 Tips for Success

  • ✔️ Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh leaves, well-cleaned meats, and quality palm oil enhance the overall taste.
  • ✔️ Simmer Gently: Slow cooking allows all the flavors to blend deeply and create a richer stew.
  • ✔️ Stir with Care: After adding fish and prawns, stir gently to keep them whole and beautiful.
  • ✔️ Taste as You Go: Season gradually. Add your bouillon cube first, then adjust salt to your preference.
  • ✔️ Adjust Spice Level: Control the heat by adding more or fewer habanero peppers to suit your taste.

🍽️ Craving More Bold Flavours?

If you loved this rich and hearty peanut stew, you’ll definitely enjoy my Creamy Spaghetti with Chicken — it’s quick, creamy, and full of flavor! A perfect dish to add to your weekly menu.

About the Author:
Tima Gaye is a Gambian-born, UK-based home cook and recipe creator. She shares rich, flavorful recipes inspired by African roots and global dishes. Every meal she creates comes from the heart — blending tradition, creativity, and love.


💛 Follow Tima for More Recipes & Videos:

👉 Facebook: Cook with Tima Gaye
👉 TikTok: @timagaye712

Similar Posts