How to Make Maafe (West African Peanut Soup Recipe) (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

How to Make Maafe – This classic West African peanut soup recipe includes creamy peanut butter, tender chicken, and fresh veggies for a delicious and hearty soup or curry over rice.

How to Make Maafe (West African Peanut Soup Recipe) (1)

West African Peanut Butter Soup

Really, what isn’t better with peanut butter?! This wonder legume adds an amazing earthy-ish taste and luscious texture to practically any dish, from sweet to savory. Including soups!

Maafe (AKA Tigadegena and Domoda) is a traditional African peanut soup popular in Ghana, Senegal, and Gambia. It is made with chicken and vegetables, in a creamy peanut butter and garlic base. West African Peanut Stew features bold flavors in a velvety rich broth – with just a bit of heat from crushed red pepper. Every bite is vibrant, satisfying, and keeps you coming back for another spoonful.

Start to finish this recipe only requires about 30 minutes to make. So it’s terrific for a quick but hearty dinner any night of the week! Serve the West African-inspired soup as-is for a low-carb option, or enjoy over rice, like an African curry. Either way, everyone will be coming back for another bowl of this decadent and delightful soup!

How to Make Maafe (West African Peanut Soup Recipe) (2)

Ingredients for African Peanut Soup

This homemade Maafe recipe uses simple, whole ingredients for a good-for-you soup! Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Sweet onion peeled and cut into wedges
  • Tomatoescut into wedges
  • Gingerpeeled
  • Garlicpeeled
  • Peanut buttercreamy
  • Chicken brothor bouillon with water
  • Chicken breastscut into 1-inch pieces
  • Bell pepperseeded and chopped
  • Carrotsliced (or diced sweet potato)
  • Spicescrushed red pepper, salt, and pepper (jalapeno or scotch bonnet pepper can also be used)
  • Optional garnisheschopped peanuts and cilantro
How to Make Maafe (West African Peanut Soup Recipe) (3)

How to Make African Peanut Soup

First, set out a blender. Place the onion wedges, tomato wedges, piece of ginger, garlic cloves, and peanut butter in the blender. Cover and purée until smooth.

How to Make Maafe (West African Peanut Soup Recipe) (4)
How to Make Maafe (West African Peanut Soup Recipe) (5)

Set a large saucepan (or dutch oven) over medium heat. Pour the peanut butter purée into the pot.

Get the Complete (Printable) African Peanut Soup Recipe Below. Enjoy!

How to Make Maafe (West African Peanut Soup Recipe) (6)
How to Make Maafe (West African Peanut Soup Recipe) (7)

Then add the chopped pieces of chicken. Stir in the broth, chopped bell pepper, carrots, and crushed red pepper. Add 1 teaspoon of salt.

How to Make Maafe (West African Peanut Soup Recipe) (8)

Stir well and bring the peanut soup to a low boil.

Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Stir it regularly to make sure the chicken and veggies do not stick to the bottom of the pot.

Taste, then season with salt and pepper as needed.

How to Make Maafe (West African Peanut Soup Recipe) (9)

Maafe Tips & Tricks

  • Add more veggies! This peanut butter African soup can be made even more nutritious if you add some extra greens like kale!
  • If you don’t have a blender, simply dice the tomatoes, onion, ginger, and garlic into small pieces!
  • Don’t love rice? You can serve your African peanut stew with naan bread or any crusty bread of your choice!
  • If you or anyone you know has a peanut allergy, you can replace the peanut butter sunflower seed butter! This will still lend a deep, nutty flavor to the African stew without any risk!

Serving Suggestions

Ladle into bowls and top the soup with crunchy crushed peanuts and chopped fresh cilantro.

Enjoy Maafe as-is for a low-carb and protein-rich soup that’s healthy, hearty, and most importantly IMO, delicious.

Serve with a scoop of white rice snuggled into the bowl to eat more like a classic curry dish.

How to Make Maafe (West African Peanut Soup Recipe) (10)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make vegetarian and vegan West Africa peanut soup?

Swap the chicken broth with veggie broth and omit the chicken for a veg-friendly recipe. You can leave out the protein entirely, or add a can of rinsed and drained chickpeas or cubes of extra firm tofu. If including tofu, I do recommend that you skillet fry, air fry, or bake the cubes firm before they are added to the soup. Then add only in the last 5 minutes or so of the cooking time.

Can I make this Peanut Butter Soup more or less spicy?

Add a pinch more of crushed red pepper for an extra spicy kick. Or leave out the red pepper for a mild but nonetheless bright and flavorful soup.

How long do leftovers last?

Leftover Maafe tastes amazing! Let the soup cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It also freezes very well. Once cooled, transfer the soup to a freezer-safe container. Wrap in a layer of aluminum foil for extra protection. Keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How to Make Maafe (West African Peanut Soup Recipe) (11)

Looking For More Scrumptious Soups? Be Sure To Also Try These Easy Recipes:

  • Low Carb Chicken Mushroom Soup
  • Homemade Chicken and Dumplings
  • Easy Instant Pot Black Bean Soup
  • Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken
  • Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup

How to Make Maafe (West African Peanut Soup Recipe) (12)

Print Recipe

Leave a Review »

African Peanut Soup (Maafe)

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Maafe is classic West African recipe made with creamy peanut butter, tender chicken, and fresh veggies for a delicious and hearty peanut soup or curry over rice.

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Set out a blender. Place the onion wedges, tomato wedges, piece of ginger, garlic cloves, and peanut butter in the blender. Cover and purée until smooth.

  • Set a large soup pot over medium heat. Pour the peanut butter purée into the pot. Stir in the broth, chicken breast pieces, chopped bell pepper, carrots, and crushed red pepper. Add 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir well and bring to a low boil.

  • Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Stir it regularly to make sure the chicken and veggies do not stick to the bottom of the pot.

  • Taste, then season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve as is, or with a side of rice.

Video

Notes

Like spice? You can add extra crushed red pepper to crank it up!

Leftover Maafe tastes amazing! Let the soup cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It also freezes very well. Once cooled, transfer the soup to a freezer-safe container. Wrap in a layer of aluminum foil for extra protection. Keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cup, Calories: 375kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 34g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 73mg, Sodium: 864mg, Potassium: 1071mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 6371IU, Vitamin C: 48mg, Calcium: 60mg, Iron: 2mg

Course: Main, Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: African, West African

Author: Sommer Collier

Making this recipe?Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

This site contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission.

How to Make Maafe (West African Peanut Soup Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What is Maafe made of? ›

Some versions of the dish resemble a stew and contain such ingredients as tomato, onion, garlic, cabbage, peppers, and spices. Other variations consist simply of meat and a generous serving of rich, thick peanut sauce. Beef and lamb are most commonly used, but chicken and fish are featured in some recipes.

What is the history of West African peanut soup? ›

The dish is also known as Maafe in Cameroon, where it is a popular traditional dish. It is believed that the dish originated among the Mandinka people of Mali, who would grind roasted peanuts into a paste and use it as a base for a savoury stew.

What is peanut 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.

Where did Mafe come from? ›

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. While maafe is a dish originating in Senegal, tigadéguéna originates from the Mandinka and Bambara people of Mali.

Is fufu Jamaican or African food? ›

Fufu (or fufuo, foofoo, foufou /ˈfuˌfu/ foo-foo) is a pounded meal found in West African cuisine. It is a Twi word that originates from the Akans in Ghana.

What spices are used in West Africa? ›

In West Africa, some of the most common spices used are curry powder, black pepper, ginger, bouillon, thyme, bay leaf, chili peppers, Cameroon pepper, and nutmeg. Some native spices include: What is this? Iru: Also known as fermented locust beans, Iru gives a unique umami flavor to West African traditional foods.

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 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.

What is the best soup to eat with fufu? ›

Delicious Soups And Stews That Goes With Fufu
  • Amala - Nigerian Food.
  • YAM | TRUE YAM | AFRICAN YAM.
  • Okro pepper soup.
  • Ewedu - Jute Leaves Soup.
  • 60+ Nigerian Recipes You Need To Try.
  • Gbegiri Soup - Delicious West African Bean Soup.
  • Ogbono Soup.
  • Best Egusi Soup.
Jan 1, 2024

What countries eat peanut soup? ›

It is a delicacy that Nigerian, Ghanaian and people in other African countries consume, such as in Sierra Leone. In Ghana, it is known as nkatenkwan in Akan language and "Azidetsi" in Ewe language.

What are the benefits of peanuts soup? ›

In conclusion, it appears men in particular stand to benefit more from eating peanuts related to diet in any form such as Domoda, groundnut soup, peanut paste, and many more. Some of the benefits are: promoting muscle growth, supporting heart health, improving sperm quality, and enhancing sexual function.

What is MAFE in English? ›

Noun. mafe (uncountable) An African meat stew thickened with ground peanuts.

What is in foo foo? ›

Fufu can be made using almost any starchy ingredient, and while it is most commonly made using cassava root or yams, it may also be made using cassava, yam, eba, green plantains, amala, cocoyam (malanga), breadfruit, corn, semolina, rice, or a combination of 2 or more of these foods.

Where did benachin come from? ›

Jollof rice, also called 'Benachin' meaning one pot in the Wolof language, is a popular dish all over West Africa. It is thought to have originated in Senegal and in Gambia but has since spread to the whole of West Africa, especially Nigeria and Ghana amongst members of the Wolof ethnic group.

Is Fufu a vegetable? ›

Fufu is a type of West African dish made from pounded starchy root vegetables. It is a staple food in many countries in West Africa, including Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. Fufu is typically made by pounding cassava, yams, or plantains into a dough-like consistency, then shaping it into balls or rolls.

What was peanut butter made out of? ›

Peanut butter is a food paste or spread made from ground, dry-roasted peanuts. It commonly contains additional ingredients that modify the taste or texture, such as salt, sweeteners, or emulsifiers.

Is satay sauce made of? ›

The prominent ingredient of a satay sauce is peanuts, alongside soy sauce, salt, garlic, coconut, chilli, onion and lemon are added for a fragrant taste. Delicious meat skewers called Satay and its popular peanut sauce are well known in most cities around the world.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 6138

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-12-23

Address: 4653 O'Kon Hill, Lake Juanstad, AR 65469

Phone: +494124489301

Job: Marketing Representative

Hobby: Reading, Ice skating, Foraging, BASE jumping, Hiking, Skateboarding, Kayaking

Introduction: My name is Cheryll Lueilwitz, I am a sparkling, clean, super, lucky, joyous, outstanding, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.