African Peanut Soup Recipe (2024)

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This Creamy African Peanut Soup is really rich, warmly flavored – it tastes like… nothing else on earth! Peanutty, curry-y, deliciousness!

Step-by-step photos and instructions are below!

African Peanut Soup Recipe (1)

Update:This recipe was originally published in October of 2015 It was republished with updated photos in January of 2021.

Soup for me is the greatest comfort in the world. A bowl of soup is my go-to for lunches, or dinners when it’s just me. I just love how filling it is, and how quickly I can eat it!

I’m a busy person, sometimes – lunch just isn’t going to be a 1 hour period of time. I definitely don’t have time to cook something that takes a long time. This West African Peanut Soup Recipe is done in about 15 minutes. 20 minutes if you take your time!

Slurping some yummy soup fills my belly, feeds my soul, and keeps the “hangries” away.

If you have never heard of African Peanut Soup (also known as Peanut Butter Soup), but you have all the ingredients, and you’re game to try something new… it’s ON.

Vegetarians and Vegans will love this one, as WELL as carnivores like my family.

If you love peanut flavors, check out my Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce!

Why this recipe works

  • Fast to make. Seriously, the thing that takes the longest is cooking the onions.
  • Delicious. Like nothing you’ve tried before!
  • Easy. If you have the ingredients, you have a meal!
  • Diet-friendly. This is vegan, vegetarian, and dairy free.

I have included step by step photos and instructions, as well as tips and tricks in the post. If you’d rather skip all that, scoot right on down to the recipe card located at the bottom of the post.

Do you love soup all year round? What are your favorites?

African Peanut Soup Recipe (2)

Kylee’s Notes & FAQs

Be careful when blending hot liquids in a blender. Hold the lid on with a towel to prevent the steam causing the lid to blow off, and burning you! Better yet, use an immersion blender.

This is a pretty thick soup – and is typically served over rice, or with sweet potatoes. You can add more vegetables like carrots if you’d like!

What to do with leftovers

Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat to piping hot!

Substitutions/Additions

  • You could add garlic to this if you wanted to!
  • Chopped peanuts and cilantro make a great garnish

Recipe Ingredients and Possible Substitutes

The full list of ingredients and quantities is found in the printable recipe card below.

African Peanut Soup Recipe (3)
  • Chickpeas. Also known as garbanzo beans. Canned – drained and rinsed well. You can use dried chickpeas, but will need to soak and cook them first.
  • Vegetable Broth. If you need a recipe to make your own vegetable stock, I have one! Otherwise grab a carton from the store.
    We use a little at the beginning, and then add more later. Be sure to read the recipe!
  • Peanut Butter. I prefer to use a creamy, smooth, natural peanut butter. Use what you have!
  • Olive Oil. This is used to cook the onion and other aromatics. You can use vegetable oil if you prefer
  • Onions. You’ll need about a cup, finely diced.
  • Fresh Ginger. This is fresh ginger root, but you can sub powdered if you prefer
  • Curry Powder. I use a mild curry powder, that I get at the grocery store.
  • Cayenne Pepper. Go easy on this if you don’t like heat!
  • Diced Tomatoes. Grab a can, don’t bother to drain.
  • Tomato Paste
  • Fresh Cilantro

How to make this recipe

Scroll for Recipe

The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.

Step 1: Grab your blender

In the bowl of a blender or food processor, add the chickpeas, 1 cup of the stock and the peanut butter, and blend until smooth.

African Peanut Soup Recipe (4)

Step 2: Make the flavor base

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium high heat (a Dutch oven works great). Add the onions and cook until softened.

Add the ginger, curry powder and cayenne, and cook another minute.

Add the chickpeas/stock/peanut butter puree as well as the tomatoes and paste, and the remaining 2 cups of stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer for a few minutes.

African Peanut Soup Recipe (5)

Step 3: Cool, puree and eat

Cool 5 mins, then blend the soup in batches in the food processor/blender until smooth (or use an immersion blender).

Top with cilantro, add some peanuts as a garnish.

Devour.

African Peanut Soup Recipe (7)

Love soup recipes? Here are some of my favorites:

  • Broccoli Cheddar Soup – perfect for feeding the family, and your soul! Enjoy this delicious, rich and flavorful version of a classic.
  • Lentil Soup – great as a starter to a main, or as a main itself, thisnutritious soupsticks to your ribs and satisfies!
  • Butternut Squash Soup (with apple) – my all-time favorite soup, it’s healthy AND low-fat!
  • Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup – hearty and warmingwith just the right amount of spice, blended with cheese, topped off with jalapenos, cilantro, and crispy tortilla strips.
  • Avgolemono Soup (from Country Living)
  • ALL SOUP RECIPES
African Peanut Soup Recipe (8)

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African Peanut Soup Recipe (9)

Creamy African Peanut Soup

5 from 4 votes

This Creamy African Peanut Soup is really rich, warmly flavored – it tastes like… nothing else on earth!. Peanutty, curry-y, deliciousness!

Author: Kylee Ayotte

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 7 minutes minutes

Total Time: 12 minutes minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 15oz can chickpeas (drained and rinsed, garbanzo beans)
  • 3 cups vegetable stock (divided)
  • 3 Tbs peanut butter
  • 1 Tbs olive oil
  • 2 small onions (diced finely)
  • 1 Tbs fresh ginger (grated – can sub powdered ginger)
  • 2 tsp curry powder
  • pinch cayenne pepper
  • 14.5oz can diced tomatoes
  • 1 Tbs tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro (chopped finely)

Directions

  • In the bowl of a blender or food processor, add the chickpeas, 1 cup of stock and the peanut butter, and blend until smooth.

  • In a large saucepan or dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium high.

  • Add the onions and cook until softened.

  • Add the ginger, curry powder and cayenne, and cook another minute.

  • Add the chickpea/stock/peanut butter puree, tomatoes and paste, and the remaining 2 cups of stock.

  • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer for a few minutes.

  • Cool 5 mins, then blend the soup in batches in the food processor/blender until smooth (or use an immersion blender).

  • Top with cilantro and devour.

Tried this recipe? Tag me!Mention @kyleecooks or tag #kyleecooks!

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 135kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 942mg | Potassium: 418mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 625IU | Vitamin C: 14.8mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1.9mg

Disclaimer

Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

About Kylee Ayotte

I am a born and raised New Zealander (a Kiwi), now living in Phoenix, Arizona. I’m happily married to the love of my life – a hot American boy I met while traveling the world. I’m a mama to 2 awesome little boys and love red things, rugby, cheesecake, and bacon. Mmmmm. Bacon. Read More

Next Post Kahlua Cheesecake (Minis)

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Comments

  1. Jah-Leah says

    Nice and quick. Tasted pretty good. I added a hint of garlic.

    Reply

African Peanut Soup Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is African peanut soup made of? ›

This West African-inspired peanut soup recipe is a creamy and comforting, spicy vegan soup. Made with a simple combination of peanut butter, tomato paste and collard greens, this soup comes together quickly and would be a great weeknight meal.

What is the most popular soup in Africa? ›

Egusi Soup - popular in West Africa, the soup is made with ground melon seeds and leafy greens. It is often served with fufu or rice. Egusi Soup is a popular and delicious traditional Nigerian soup. It is a thick, flavorful soup made primarily from ground melon seeds and various other ingredients.

What is the history of West African peanut soup? ›

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. Over time, the recipe spread throughout the region, with different variations emerging in different communities.

What is peanut soup often eaten with? ›

They are often eaten as a main course with rice or manioc and can be seasoned with a variety of spices including allspice, cinnamon, coriander, and cumin. Additional garnishes of collard greens, kale, carrots, celery, hot chili peppers, and milk or cream create a hearty soup or stew in the African tradition.

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 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.

What is the No 1 soup in the world? ›

According to the Taste Atlas Awards, the international food database, the Filipino favorite, Sinigang, is hailed as the best soup in the world.

What is the most delicious food in Africa? ›

African Dishes | Top 40 AFRICA'S FAVORITE DISHES
  1. Piri Piri Chicken – Mozambique. ...
  2. Pap en vleis/Shisa nyama – South Africa. ...
  3. Nigerian Jollof rice and egusi soup. ...
  4. Bunny chow – South Africa. ...
  5. Kapenta with sadza – Zimbabwe. ...
  6. Chambo with nsima – Malawi. ...
  7. Namibian venison, Namibia. ...
  8. Muamba de galinha – Angola.
Jun 9, 2023

What is the healthiest soup in Nigeria? ›

Here are a few Nigerian foods that are known for their medicinal properties:
  • Bitter Leaf Soup. Bitter leaf soup, also known as Ofe Onugbu in the Igbo language, is a traditional Nigerian soup made from the leaves of the bitter leaf plant. ...
  • Okra Soup. ...
  • Egusi Soup. ...
  • Pepper Soup. ...
  • Moringa Soup.
Mar 31, 2023

Why is it called African peanut stew? ›

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.

Are peanuts originally from 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 country is fufu? ›

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.

What country is peanut soup 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. It originates from the Mandinka and Bambara people of Mali.

Is peanut soup good for diabetics? ›

That is why the American Diabetes Association names peanuts as a diabetes superfood. What makes it a superfood is that in a soup form even when combined with beef has a GI of 7, and anchovies have a GI of 0.7(Yeboah et al. 2019).

Did George Washington eat peanut soup? ›

As peanuts became a staple crop in Virginia, peanut soup became popular as well. Many historians claim George Washington enjoyed the soup so much that he ate it every day.

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 most nutritious 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 Haitian soup Joumou made of? ›

Soup Joumou, a comforting stew traditionally made with beef, pumpkin, pasta, and a bunch of veggies and spices, has become a New Year's Day dish to commemorate Haiti's independence.

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