5best2buy
The Recipe · No.825 · West African Peanut Stew

West African Peanut Stew, and where to source it

West African Peanut Stew — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM West African Peanut Stew West African 5best2buy.com

Use a natural peanut butter with nothing but peanuts in it; the sweetened kind throws the whole savory balance off. Stir in leafy greens at the very end so they wilt bright green instead of cooking down gray.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep15 min
Cook45 min
Makes4 servings
CuisineWest African
Cost$$
Gluten-freeDairy-free
Contains  peanuts
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 4 servings
Chicken thighs
Bone-in for a richer stew. A pasture-raised chicken has real flavor.
800 g
Peanut butter
Natural, unsweetened, just peanuts; it is the whole sauce. A fresh-ground peanut butter is best.
150 g
Tomatoes
The acidic base that balances the rich peanut. A sweet, low-acid tomato is best.
1 can (14 oz)
Onion
Cooked down as the base. Fresh, bought local.
1
Collard greens
Chopped and wilted in at the end. Fresh, bought local.
2 cups

Using chicken thigh? It behaves the way it does for a reason — what this cut is for and how to cook it →

The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● Barely a splurge
A light hand — your arteries say thanks.
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Instant PotSlow cookerOne-pot
The Method
  1. Brown the chickenBrown the chicken pieces, then set aside.
  2. Build the sauceSoften the onion, add the tomatoes, and whisk in the peanut butter with a little water.
  3. SimmerReturn the chicken and simmer until tender and the sauce is thick.
  4. Wilt the greensStir in the collards for the last few minutes and serve over rice.
The Toolkit

Heavy pot · Wooden spoon · Tongs

Straight Answers
Can you make West African Peanut Stew in an air fryer? — Yes, with an insert

Not on its own — an air fryer can’t hold a pool of liquid. You can simmer it in an oven-safe dish or a silicone insert made to fit the basket, but the broth won’t reduce or brown the way it does on the stove, and that insert comes out scorching, so use oven mitts. For real depth, a pot on the stove wins.

Can you freeze West African Peanut Stew? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make West African Peanut Stew ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.

Is West African Peanut Stew gluten-free? — Yes

Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.

Is West African Peanut Stew vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

Community Notes

Cooked it? Changed something that worked? Leave a note for the next person — first-name basis, no account.

Loading notes…

Notes are public and posted as written. Be kind, no links. Spam and abuse get removed.

More West African recipes
Jollof RiceEgusi SoupSuya
All West African recipes →  ·  Browse all 1433 →
One list, with a link to where to buy each one.

Some ingredient and tool links are affiliate links — if you buy through one, 5best2buy may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never costs the maker anything, and it never decides who we recommend. The list is the list.
© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.825

Open data. Every maker on this site is published as a free dataset under CC BY 4.0 — use it in anything, commercial or not, as long as you credit 5best2buy. Browse the datasets →