Ghanaian Goat and Tripe Peanut Stew (Groundnut Soup) Recipe (2024)

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Updated March 18, 2021

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Ghanaian Goat and Tripe Peanut Stew (Groundnut Soup) Recipe (1)

Why It Works

  • Using two different methods to cook the vegetables creates a more layered, nuanced flavor profile.
  • Boiling the tripe yields a cleaner, subtler taste.
  • Finishing the stew at a low temperature in the oven requires far less maintenance than a stovetop simmer.

Slow-cooked goat and tripe are key to the savory, earthy intensity of this traditional Ghanaian stew. A rich and creamy peanut butter– and tomato-based sauce balances the tripe's assertive flavor, though the latter can be omitted for a milder dish. Not a fan of goat or tripe? Try this chicken-based version instead. Our recipe was inspired by Sara'o Maozac's story "East, West, Then Backward: Falling for Groundnut Soup in Ghana" and was adapted from Maame Serwa’s recipe instructions.

East, West, Then Backward: Falling for Groundnut Soup in Ghana

Recipe Details

Ghanaian Goat and Tripe Peanut Stew (Groundnut Soup) Recipe

Active20 mins

Total4 hrs 30 mins

Serves4to 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces (225g) bleached honeycomb tripe, cut into 2- by 1-inch pieces (see note)

  • 2 medium yellow onions (about 12 ounces; 340g), halved and ends trimmed, divided

  • 3 cups (720ml)homemadeor store-bought low-sodium chicken broth, plus more as needed, divided

  • 5 medium cloves garlic, divided

  • 1 ounce (28g) fresh ginger (about a 1-inch knob), divided

  • 2 teaspoons tomato paste

  • 1 pound (454g) goat stew meat, cut into 2- to 3-inch cubes (see note)

  • 1 hot chile pepper, such as bird's eye, habanero, or Scotch bonnet (see note)

  • 2 bay leaves

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter (9 ounces; 255g)

  • 1 (28-ounce; 794g) can plum tomatoes

  • 1 whole smoke-dried fish, such as tilapia (see note)

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • Hot cooked white rice orfufu, to serve (see note)

Directions

  1. Rinse tripe under cold running water, squeezing to expel liquid and remove any bleached flavors. Fill a large saucepan two-thirds full of water, salt generously, and bring to a boil over high heat. Add tripe and boil for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse. If the tripe retains a bleached odor, repeat blanching a second time.

  2. Meanwhile, in a blender, purée 2 onion halves, 1 cup (240ml) chicken stock, 3 cloves garlic, 1/2 ounce ginger, and tomato paste. In a Dutch oven, combine cubed goat and boiled tripe with the purée over medium-low heat. When purée begins to simmer, cover Dutch oven and reduce heat to low. Simmer meat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add another 1/2 cup (120ml) chicken stock if mixture begins to stick to the bottom of the pot.

  3. Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C). Add remaining 2 onion halves to Dutch oven, nestling them into the purée. Add remaining 1/2 ounce ginger and 2 cloves garlic, along with hot pepper and bay leaves. Return cover to Dutch oven, reduce heat to low, and cook until halved onion is soft and translucent, about 20 minutes.

  4. Transfer halved onion, ginger, garlic cloves, and pepper to a blender. Add peanut butter, canned tomatoes and their juices, and remaining 2 cups (480ml) chicken stock and purée until smooth. Pass blended mix through a fine-mesh strainer into Dutch oven, stirring to incorporate, and bring to a simmer. Cover Dutch oven and transfer to oven.

  5. Cook in oven, stirring occasionally and adding chicken stock if mixture reduces by more than one-third, until goat is tender and oils have surfaced, approximately 4 hours. Remove from oven and transfer to stovetop. Add whole smoked fish, reduce heat to low, and cook an additional 5 minutes. (If omitting the fish, you can skip this 5-minute covered-cooking step.) Remove and discard smoked fish and bay leaves, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve hot over white rice or fufu.

Special equipment

Blender (or immersion blender), Dutch oven, large saucepan or saucier, fine-mesh strainer

Notes

Goat can be found at most halal butcher shops, as well as many supermarkets. For the most tender meat, ask your butcher to cube a forequarter cut, such as shoulder or chuck, preferably from a young spring goat. If you do not wish to include tripe, simply increase the volume of goat by an additional half pound. For a milder dish, cut the pepper in half and remove its seeds. Alternatively, use just half a pepper, or choose a less spicy pepper, such as a jalapeño. Hot-smoked fish is a traditional ingredient in groundnut soup and adds a savory, fishy, smoked undercurrent of flavor to the dish. It can be found in most West African and Caribbean markets, but can be omitted if you're unable to find it or prefer to leave it out. Fufu is a starchy dish made from pounded and boiled cassava root and green plantains.

This Recipe Appears In

  • East, West, Then Backward: Falling for Groundnut Soup in Ghana
  • Goat
  • West African
  • Peanut Butter
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
560Calories
29g Fat
39g Carbs
37g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4to 6
Amount per serving
Calories560
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 29g37%
Saturated Fat 7g34%
Cholesterol 104mg35%
Sodium 816mg35%
Total Carbohydrate 39g14%
Dietary Fiber 6g21%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 37g
Vitamin C 29mg145%
Calcium 104mg8%
Iron 5mg26%
Potassium 1260mg27%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Ghanaian Goat and Tripe Peanut Stew (Groundnut Soup) Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does groundnut soup contain? ›

Water is mixed with the groundnut paste until a smooth consistency is achieved. Then onions, hot peppers, and some tomato paste are added. The mixture is then cooked under low to medium heat until the paste has thickened and the oil has risen to the top.

What is African peanut butter soup made of? ›

But essentially, the recipe is made up of ground peanuts (or peanut butter) with tomato paste and spices. The authentic name for peanut soup is granat soup. Granat is the krio term for groundnut – aka peanuts. While it's common practice to grind the nuts for making the recipe, any peanut butter you buy works well here.

Why is it called African peanut stew? ›

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.

Can you put Prekese in groundnut soup? ›

Finally, meals which make use of prekese as a spice were meat pepper soup, palm kernel soup and Nsala (white soup), fish pepper soup and groundnut soup.

What's the difference between peanuts and groundnuts? ›

However, there are some differences in their nutritional profiles. Groundnut is higher in mono-unsaturated and poly-unsaturated fats, while peanut is higher in saturated fats. Groundnut is also richer in vitamin E, folate, and minerals like copper and manganese, while peanut is higher in vitamin B3 and phosphorus.

Is groundnut soup good for high blood pressure? ›

Peanuts contain magnesium and potassium—two minerals that help control your blood pressure. The fiber and protein in peanut's nutritional breakdown are helpful, as well. A study shows that eating peanuts regularly helps decrease blood pressure, even among individuals with high blood pressure: “…

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.

What is the healthiest Nigerian soup? ›

Egusi Soup

The soup is made from the seeds of melon, an oil-rich plant. Egusi seeds are rich in carbohydrates, protein, fibre, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, and many other minerals. The soup is made with a lot of extra ingredients like meat and fish which greatly increases its nutrient components.

What is peanut called in Nigeria? ›

Our Nigerian peanut, also known as the groundnut or the goober and taxonomically classified as Arachis hypogaea, is a legume crop grown mainly for its edible seeds.

Who invented groundnut soup? ›

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.

What country is Fufu from? ›

Fufu is often dipped into sauces or eaten with stews of meat, fish, or vegetables. The dish reportedly originated in Ghana, where it is a staple. It is prepared in various ways.

Is it good to eat groundnut soup everyday? ›

Found that daily consumption of a diet enriched with peanuts over 24 weeks could improve health parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes. The rich nutritional profile of peanuts responsible for this, which includes monounsaturated fat, fiber, arginine, niacin, folate, and vitamin E.

What is the name of prekese in English? ›

Tetrapleura tetraptera is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae native to Western Africa and Central Africa. The plant is called prekese (or, more correctly, prɛkɛsɛ aka soup perfume) in the Twi language of Ghana.

What are the benefits of groundnut stew? ›

source of Omega-3 acid and rich in antioxidants. This soup is a good choice for pregnant women. It is loved by Ghanaians and Nigerians.

What are the ingredients in groundnuts? ›

Protein, fats, and fiber are the major components that make up peanuts (Table ​ 2). All these components are present in their most beneficial forms. The protein is plant-based: the fat is unsaturated, and the fiber is complex carbohydrate which are all proved to be the best for human nutrition.

What contains groundnut? ›

Groundnuts are used regularly in our day-to-day life which is a legume plant. The scientific name of the groundnut is Arachis hypogaea which grows in temperate and tropical regions. In industries, groundnuts are used in the production of oil, beverages, flour, protein concentrates, and sweet candy.

What does boiled groundnut contain? ›

Peanuts, all types, cooked, boiled, with salt, 1 cup in shell, edible yield
Protein (g)8.51
Energy (kcal)200.34
Sugars, total (g)1.56
Fiber, total dietary (g)5.54
Calcium, Ca (mg)34.65
34 more rows

What is the GI of groundnut soup? ›

Groundnut soup had a low GI of 4 whereas anchovies had a glycemic index of 0.9.

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