I am glad to finally be able to share with you my classic Kenyan Beef Stew Recipe. This is a recipe I learned when I was 12 years old and I am glad to share it with you. The beef is slowly stewed in tomatoes, curry powder and other spices. The results? Hearty and fork-tender beef stew that you can serve with your favourite side dish!
You can make this beef stew on the Stovetop or using your Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker.
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. 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.
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.
- Stewing beef - you can also use other cuts of meat. Just make sure it does not have too many bones.
- Spices - curry powder, black pepper, smoked paprika, turmeric
- Pantry staples - salt and tomato paste
- Vegetables - you will need some red bell peppers, tomatoes, coriander and onion. 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, process onions, curry powder, black pepper, smoked paprika, turmeric, tomatoes, red bell peppers and a teaspoon of salt.
Use a pestle and mortar to grind the garlic and ginger. You can 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.
Next, stir in garlic and ginger and fry for about 2 minutes until fragrant then add the blended tomato mixture and stir.
If making this on the stovetop, simmer for 40-45 minutes, stirring from time to time. You can add more water if you prefer more sauce.
Instant Pot Instructions: If using the Instant Pot, cook the beef according to the 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.
STEP 4
Serve this Kenyan Beef Stew with some ranch cauliflower mash or your favourite side dish.
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Other recipes to try!
Loving this recipe? Well, you may also want to try out these other delicious recipes!
- Best Instant Pot Lamb Stew in Red Wine
- Instant Pot Mashed Cauliflower
- Juicy Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Thighs Recipe
- Healthy Zobo or Sorrel Drink Recipe
Classic Kenyan Beef Stew Recipe
Equipment
- 6 Quarts (5.7 litres) OR 8 Quarts (7.6 litres) Instant Pot
- Sharp knife
- Cooking pot or pan
- Chopping board
Ingredients
- 1 lbs beef approx. 500g beef
- ½ can tomato puree
- 1 tomato medium-sized
- 1½ onions
- 2 red bell peppers
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp curry powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp turmeric
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.
- In a blender, process onions, curry powder, black pepper, smoked paprika, turmeric, tomatoes, red bell peppers and a teaspoon of salt.
- Use a pestle and mortar to grind the garlic and ginger. You can process the garlic and ginger with the tomatoes in the blender if you prefer.
- 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.
- Next, stir in garlic and ginger and fry for about 2 minutes until fragrant then add the blended tomato mixture and stir.If making this on the stovetop, simmer for 40-45 minutes, stirring from time to time. You can add more water if you prefer more sauce.Instant Pot Instructions: 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.
- Garnish with some coriander or parsley. Serve while hot and enjoy with your favourite side dish.
Notes
- You can also stir in other vegetables such as carrots, peas, potatoes or green bell peppers into the stew.
Jessica Lawson
Simple and so flavorful. Will be on repeat for me throughout the cold weather season!
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.
Renia
The perfect recipe for this chilly weather! The rich deep flavors really warm you up!
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
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!
Aline
Sooo good!!! Served it over rice and my family LOVED IT!! Thanks!
Crystal
This was delicious! Thank you for including instant pot directions!
Samantha
I've tried similar African beef stew recipes, but this one is even better with the addition of tumeric!
Chenée Lewis
I'm so glad I found this recipe! It's so easy and SO full of flavor!
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!
Robin
The exquisite flavor profile of the dish pleased my entire 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!
Jazz
This is similar to Nigerian stew I make and so good! Will be enjoying this again with my family.
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!
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.