Why beef stew with chickpeas and sweet potatoes?
I want to say I created a recipe here with this beef stew with chickpeas and sweet potatoes. Cause, in reality, I did. I experimented with what I had in my pantry which turned out to be delicious, so I gave myself a little pat on the back.
So, what you will get in this post is my I-created-something-nice version of beef stew with chickpeas and sweet potatoes. In fairness, my dear friends, it is something nice, that is why this post.
The star ingredients of this stew are tender beef cubes, wholesome chickpeas, and sweet potatoes. The beef cubes add a rich and meaty flavor, while the chickpeas and sweet potatoes provide a hearty and satisfying texture. To enhance the taste even further, a delicious spice mixture is added, consisting of black pepper, garlic, and yellow onion.
Ingredients and instructions for cooking beef stew with chickpeas and sweet potatoes
To make this a flavorful dish, all we would need are beef cubes, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, garlic, onions, a very small amount of tomato sauce, and spices. The combinations of all will determine the taste and sauciness of the dish. Like who said there is such and such amount of such and such spices if you were to cook something?
You will never go wrong in cooking this as it is very straightforward and there are no set rules in the amount of ingredients. It is practically your “feel.” Having said that, you can go to the printable recipe card here for the full measurements and detailed instructions. Do not hesitate to modify, and do not be afraid to goof; cause there is no way you would unless you burn the beef! By the way, burning the spices will give this (and any dish mostly) a very authentic taste.
Begin by prepping your ingredients. Mince the garlic, dice the yellow onion, and set it aside. In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Sautee the garlic and onions until the onions have turned light brown. Add the spices and cook for a minute. At this stage, you will see the mixture becoming darker brown. Add beef stew meat and cook until browned on all sides. This will give the stew a rich and savory flavor.
Once the beef is browned, add a bit of water, let boil lower the heat to medium, and stir well to ensure that the spices evenly coat the meat. Cook until the beef has softened. Cooking time will vary depending on the type of meat that you have chosen.
Next, add the tomato paste to the pot and stir it into the mixture. This will help deepen the flavors and create a robust base for the stew. Add in the sweet potatoes and sauté until softened.
Finally, add the canned chickpeas to the pot and stir them in. Maintain at medium-low heat and let the stew simmer until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded together.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve the Chickpea and Beef Stew hot with your favorite side dish or a crusty bread. This comforting and satisfying stew is perfect for chilly nights and will leave you craving for more.
- A simple salad made with fresh greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and a lemony dressing adds a refreshing element to the meal. You can also serve it alongside roasted or grilled vegetables, such as zucchini or bell peppers, for added color and variety.
- Serve over steamed white rice, basmati rice, or brown rice for an enjoyable meal.
- Serve as is – you have enough portions of good carbs from the sweet potatoes, proteins from the beef, and vitamin C, iron, and magnesium from the chickpeas.
- For those who prefer a heartier side dish, consider serving the stew with couscous or warm bread. Both options are perfect for soaking up the flavorful juices of the stew. The fluffy texture of couscous or the crusty exterior of warm bread enhances the dining experience by offering different textures and flavors.
Cooking Tips
- Serve it over a bed of cooked couscous or with warm bread on the side. To add a touch of freshness, garnish with some fresh mint leaves and a drizzle of lemon juice.
- For a Middle Eastern-inspired meal, you can use any mixed spices (baharat), and for an Indian taste, you can use garam masala.
- If you prefer a lighter taste, you can delete those spices and add a teaspoon of sweet paprika instead.
- For a thicker stew, you can mix a slurry of 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water, then stir it into the stew in the last 15 minutes of cooking time. This will help to thicken the sauce. Half a cup of plain yogurt will also do the job.
- For a soupy version, you can add a cup broth of your choice (homemade beef stock or chicken broth are best – they enhance the beef flavor of the dish).
- Sprinkle with pepper flakes, if you wish.
- If you were to use a pressure cooker, pressure cook the meat until soft before adding the sweet potatoes and chickpeas.
- You can add medium carrots to this dish which you can add along with the sweet potatoes.
- You can also add golden raisins near the end of cooking for a bit of sweetness.
- A cube of chicken stock or beef bouillon cube can help enhance the flavor; you may want to delete the salt or use both with a bit of caution.
This beef stew with chickpeas and sweet potatoes is a true delight that will warm your soul and satisfy your taste buds. It’s a perfect dish to make ahead of time and enjoy throughout the week. Store any leftovers in an airtight container and reheat whenever you need a comforting and delicious meal. So gather your ingredients, follow the easy steps on the recipe card, and get ready to indulge in this mouthwatering dish.
Print
Recipe: Beef Stew with Chickpeas and Sweet Potatoes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 3-4 servings 1x
Description
This beef stew with chickpeas and sweet potatoes is a true delight that will warm your soul and satisfy your taste buds. It’s a perfect dish to make ahead of time and enjoy throughout the week.
Ingredients
1 large size yellow or white onion
4 garlic cloves
3 tbsp cooking oil
500g beef cubes
1 tsp spice mix
1 tsp turmeric
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 tsp coriander powder
4 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 cup of water
1 medium-sized (about 1 cup) sweet potatoes, diced
1 cup canned or home-cooked chickpeas
chopped parsley or cilantro leaves to garnish
Instructions
In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Sautee the garlic and onions until the onions have turned light or golden brown. Add the spices and cook for a minute. Add beef stew meat and cook until browned on all sides.
Add a bit of water, let boil lower the heat to medium, and stir well to ensure that the spices evenly coat the meat. Cook until the beef has softened.
Next, add the tomato paste to the pot and stir it into the mixture.
Add in the sweet potatoes and sauté until softened.
Add the canned chickpeas to the pot and stir them in. Maintain the heat to medium-low and let the stew simmer until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded together.
