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West African Peanut Soup

Groundnut Soup, Maafe, Mafe

Ghana, Mali, Nigeria

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Recipe Snapshot

The essentials, at a glance

This hearty West African stew features a rich, velvety peanut base slow-simmered with smoked turkey and tender beef. The complex flavour profile balances nutty sweetness with fiery habanero heat and aromatic ginger. Traditionally served with fufu or rice, it represents the communal soul food of the region.

Africa Main Course
Dairy-FreeGluten-FreeHigh-Protein
Difficulty

Medium

Servings

4

Prep Time

40 mins

Make Time

50 mins

Calories

650 / serving

Diet

Non-Veg

Protein 45.0g
Fat 50.0g
Carbs 15.0g

Above values do not change with any serving size changes you make below

May not be suitable if you suffer with:
Acid Reflux
IBS
Diabetes
Indigestion
High Blood Pressure
Cook Along

Before You Begin

Follow each phase with a cleaner flow from ingredient prep to final plating.

Track cooking progress forWest African Peanut Soup

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
STEP 1

Wash, season and boil the beef in a large pot.

Ingredients

Servings: 4
150 g / 5 oz
15 g / 0.5 oz
350 g / 12 oz
450 g / 1 lb
90 ml / 3 fl oz
30 g / 1 oz
200 g / 7 oz
150 g / 5 oz
200 g / 7 oz
10 g / 0.35 oz
10 g / 0.35 oz
10 g / 0.35 oz
5 g / 1 tsp
Ingredients at a glance
Adjust quantities to your preferred serving size.
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All drinks depicted are for visual purposes only and should be assumed non-alcoholic unless explicitly labelled otherwise.

Instructions

Main
Step 1 instruction thumbnail 1

Wash, season and boil the beef in a large pot.

Step 2 instruction thumbnail 2

Roast the peanuts in a dry pan for about 5 minutes until well browned, then grind to a fine powder using a coffee grinder or dry mill.

Step 3 instruction thumbnail 3

De-bone the smoked turkey thigh and cut into bite-sized pieces. Add to the boiling beef after 10 minutes of cooking, then continue cooking for 30 minutes until the meat is tender.

Step 4 instruction thumbnail 4

Blend the bell pepper, tomato, habanero pepper and the remaining half of the onion until smooth.

Step 5 instruction thumbnail 5

Add the blended pepper mixture, crayfish, palm oil and ground peanuts to the pot. Stir thoroughly until the peanuts are fully dissolved into the stew. Cover and cook for 10 to 12 minutes.

Step 6 instruction thumbnail 6

Stir in the spinach and simmer for an additional 2 minutes.

Step 7 instruction thumbnail 7

Serve hot over rice, couscous, fonio or with swallows such as fufu or pounded yam.

Nutritional Benefits

Peanuts provide plant-based protein and healthy fats.

Spinach offers iron and vitamins A and C.

Beef and turkey contribute lean protein for muscle maintenance.

Ginger contains anti-inflammatory compounds.

Nutritional information is provided as a general guide only. Values may vary and should not replace professional medical or dietary advice.

Smoky Peanut Comfort with a Modern Twist

West African Peanut Soup
Yum User
Yum User

Roasting peanuts until they turn deeply golden releases an aroma that signals something special is happening in the kitchen. That nutty fragrance forms the backbone of this West African classic, transforming simple groundnuts into a velvety, luxurious soup that clings to every spoonful and warms you from the inside out.

A Modern Twist on Tradition

I love how the smoked turkey thigh infuses the broth with earthy depth whilst the beef becomes fork-tender during its slow simmer. The crayfish adds that unmistakable umami punch that makes you reach for seconds before you have finished your first bowl. Blending the peppers, tomatoes and aromatics creates a vibrant base that balances the richness perfectly without overwhelming the delicate peanut notes.

When the ground peanuts dissolve into the stew, magic happens. The sauce thickens into something between a soup and a gravy - perfect for scooping up with fufu or ladling over fluffy rice. A handful of spinach stirred in at the end wilts beautifully, adding colour and a boost of greens.

This is comfort food with real heritage, ideal for:

  • Sunday family gatherings around the table
  • Cosy weeknight suppers when you need nourishment
  • Meal prep that tastes even better the next day

Serve it steaming hot with your favourite swallow and watch everyone gather round the pot.

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