Vegan African Peanut Soup Recipe - Delish Knowledge (2024)

By Alexandra Caspero on December 1, 2014

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Vegan African Peanut Soup! If you haven’t had peanut soup before, you must try this one! Vegan, gluten-free and healthy! Serve aloneor with brown rice.

this Recipe

The first and only time I’ve tasted a vegan African Peanut Soup was in LA a few years ago at Native Foods. Since I am a sucker for anything peanut-flavored, I was excited to finally try a dish that I’ve drooled over in countless cookbooks.

Peanut + Spices+ Creamy Soup. I washooked at first bite.

Now that we have officially transitioned tosoup weather, I try to make a large batch every Sunday using the leftovers for lunches throughout the week. Soup is my favorite bulk meal to preparebecause it continues to taste great with each reheat, a must for leftovers. A few weekends ago, after racking my brain on what soup I wanted to enjoy for the week, I remembered just how amazing the West African Peanut Soup was and knew I had to give it a shot.

Vegan African Peanut Soup Recipe - Delish Knowledge (2)

Vegan African Peanut Soup

After a quick Google search, I discovered there are countlessinterpretations of this soup. Basically, if it’s got peanut butter in the ingredient list, you can call it peanut soup.

I knew my version had to have ample aromatic heavy hitters: ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes. One of my favorite smells is definitelysimmered ginger. I can’t get enough of that sweet, spicy smell!

Toround out the flavor, we are going to add a hefty dose of curry powder, which mellows out the red pepper flakes and adds depth. I knew I wanted my soup to have some body to it so I added in a sweet potato and swiss chard leaves. The finely shredded swiss chard almost melts into the soup causing you toforget you are eating an entire serving of greens in every bowl. Sweet potato and coconut are a natural pairing for me, so into the pot they went along with tomato pasteand peanut butter.

Vegan African Peanut Soup Recipe - Delish Knowledge (3)

If you are looking for a twist on traditional soups, this is it! Creamy, savory and spicy, I cannot get enough of this hearty vegan African peanut soup. I loved it served over a bed of rice, but it’s also great on its own.

Like most soups, this one tastes best the longer it cooks. Try it in a slow cooker before leaving for work or put on a pot in the morning to enjoy for a weekend lunch.

Vegan African Peanut Soup Recipe - Delish Knowledge (4)

If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag your Instagram photos with #delishknowledge .I absolutely love seeing your creations. Happy cooking!

Print

Vegan African Peanut Soup Recipe - Delish Knowledge (5)

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus, you'll get new recipes from us each week.

Vegan African Peanut Soup Recipe - Delish Knowledge (6)

Vegan African Peanut Soup

  • Author: Alex Caspero
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Soup, Stew
  • Cuisine: African

Description

African Peanut Soup! If you haven’t had peanut soup before, you must try this one! Vegan, gluten-free and healthy! Serve on it’s own or with brown rice. | www.delishknowledge.com

Print Recipe

  • Author: Alex Caspero
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Soup, Stew
  • Cuisine: African
  • Author: Alex Caspero
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Soup, Stew
  • Cuisine: African

Scale

Ingredients

  • 1 onion
  • 2 tsp. minced fresh ginger
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp. curry powder
  • 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
  • 1 sweet potato, cubed
  • 2 cups Swiss Chard, chopped into 1″ pieces
  • 5 cups vegetable broth
  • 3/4 cup chunky peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup tomato paste
  • crushed peanuts and cilantro for garnish, optional

Instructions

  1. Saute the onion, garlic, and fresh ginger in 1 tbsp. oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Cook until reduced, about 10 minutes.
  2. Add the curry powder, red pepper flakes, sweet potato, and swiss chard. Saute for 5 minutes, stirring often.
  3. In a large mixing cup, whisk together the vegetable broth, peanut butter and tomato paste. Add the broth mixture to the Swiss Chard and Potato mixture.
  4. Reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes until thickened.
  5. Serve as is or over brown rice/quinoa.

What soups are you loving right now? Ever had peanut soup before?

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway on my favorite food finds!

The Ultimate Plant-Based Protein Cookbook + Course

(Includes 40+ recipes!)

Vegan African Peanut Soup Recipe - Delish Knowledge (7)

FREE 7-DAY COURSE + COOKBOOK

Vegan African Peanut Soup Recipe - Delish Knowledge (8)

Share on PinterestShare on FacebookShare on X (Twitter) Share on Flip itShare on Email

Meet Alex Caspero

Alex Caspero is a Registered Dietitian, New York Times Bestselling Chef, and mom of two. She aims to cut through the nutrition noise by providing real-life, nourishing tips for body and mind. Learn more about Alex.

(6 comments) leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. You mention that you put Coconut in the soup because it pairs well with Sweet Potato, but I don’t see it in the recipe…..did you use coconut milk??

      Reply

    2. I’m new to slow cooker… Is it only the step 4 that changes? How many hours should it heat? It looks so delicious! Can’t wait to try it! 🙂

      Reply

      1. Hi Catherine, I haven’t used a slow cooker for this one so I’m not 100% on how long it will take. I would prepare as directed and then place it in a slow cooker for 2-3 hours on low, stirring occasionally (for step 4). Just like most soups, the longer it simmers- the better it is! Just make sure that it doesn’t thicken too much as this is a hearty soup.

        Reply

    3. Can’t wait to try this soup!

      Reply

    4. love the combo of flavors! yum!

      Reply

Vegan African Peanut Soup Recipe - Delish Knowledge (2024)

FAQs

What is African peanut butter soup made of? ›

Pour in all of the liquid-y stuff—crushed tomatoes, stock—along with the sweet potatoes, chickpeas and peanut butter. You're nearly there now! Just a quick simmer—about 15 minutes—to let the flavors cohere. Finish the soup with kale and chicken (if you're using it) and cook it just a bit more to wilt the kale.

What is the history of peanut soup? ›

Groundnut stew, also known as peanut stew or soup, is a traditional African dish that has been enjoyed for centuries. Its origins can be traced back to West Africa, where groundnuts have been a staple food for centuries. The dish is also known as Maafe in Cameroon, where it is a popular traditional dish.

What is West African peanut stew Wiki? ›

Peanut stew or groundnut stew, also known as maafe (Wolof, mafé, maffé, maffe), sauce d'arachide (French) or tigadèguèna is a stew that is a staple food in Western Africa. It originates from the Mandinka and Bambara people of Mali. The proper name for it in the Mandinka language is domodah or tigadegena (lit.

What is the best African soup to eat with fufu? ›

Ogbono soup

The soup features various spices and vegetables, including leafy greens, okra, and sometimes other ingredients like spinach or pumpkin leaves. Ogbono soup has a distinctive slimy texture and is often served with Fufu or pounded yam.

Where did African peanut soup come from? ›

This peanut stew has a similar flavor and ingredients profile, but it originated from the Mandinka and Bambara people of Mali. A huge reason for its popularity throughout Africa is due to the cultivation of groundnut -- or peanuts -- throughout the continent during the colonial period.

Where is peanut soup popular? ›

Peanut soup or groundnut soup is a soup made from peanuts, often with various other ingredients. It is a staple African cuisine but is also eaten in East Asia (Taiwan), the United States (mainly in Virginia) and other areas around the world.

What are the benefits of peanuts soup? ›

The humble nut is enriched with protein, fibre and healthy fatty acids, all of which are essential ingredients for the body and aid weight loss too. The presence of Omega-3 fatty acids also helps maintain a healthy heart.

What are peanuts called in Africa? ›

In many parts of Africa, peanuts are usually known as groundnuts because the nut pods grow underground. Peanuts play an important nutritional role in many parts of Africa since they have good fats and contain 7 grams of protein which helps combat child malnutrition.

Who brought peanuts to Africa? ›

The peanut originated in Bolivia and was brought by conquistadors to Africa during the fifteenth century. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock. The sandy soil of West Africa was primed to farm peanuts. As the popularity of the legume increased, so did the need for labor.

What is the white squishy African food? ›

According to historian Miller, "the word Fufu literally means white in Twi." and is likely derived from the whitish colour of the cassava component in Ghanaian fufu. In Ghana, it is made out of pieces of boiled cassava and/or other tubers such as plantain or cocoyam.

What is African soup made of? ›

What is in African Peanut Soup? Onions, ginger, garlic, and serrano chili sauté together with fragrant spices create a heavenly aroma. Tender yams and chickpeas fortify the creamy peanut tomato soup base. Fresh spinach is added just before serving to lightly wilt, preserving fresh flavor and nutrients.

What is the African fufu made from? ›

It consists of starchy foods—such as cassava, yams, or plantains—that have been boiled, pounded, and rounded into balls; the pounding process, which typically involves a mortar and pestle, can be laborious. Fufu is often dipped into sauces or eaten with stews of meat, fish, or vegetables.

What is the healthiest Nigerian soup? ›

Edikaikong: This soup is a combination of two powerhouse vegetables – ugu (pumpkin leaves) and waterleaf. With its high fiber content and vitamins, Edikaikong soup is an excellent choice for maintaining a balanced diet and good skin.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Eusebia Nader

Last Updated:

Views: 6193

Rating: 5 / 5 (60 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Eusebia Nader

Birthday: 1994-11-11

Address: Apt. 721 977 Ebert Meadows, Jereville, GA 73618-6603

Phone: +2316203969400

Job: International Farming Consultant

Hobby: Reading, Photography, Shooting, Singing, Magic, Kayaking, Mushroom hunting

Introduction: My name is Eusebia Nader, I am a encouraging, brainy, lively, nice, famous, healthy, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.