This African-inspired peanut and sweet potato soup is a delightful blend of creamy peanut butter and hearty sweet potatoes. The combination of spices and fresh spinach adds depth and richness to this comforting dish, making it perfect for a cozy meal.
While most of the ingredients for this recipe are common, you might need to pay special attention to peanut butter and ground coriander. Ensure you get a natural, unsweetened peanut butter for the best flavor. Ground coriander might not be a staple in every pantry, so make sure to check the spice aisle at your supermarket.

Ingredients For African Inspired Peanut And Sweet Potato Soup
Olive oil: Used for sautéing the onion and garlic, adding a rich base flavor.
Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the soup.
Garlic: Provides a pungent, aromatic flavor.
Sweet potato: Adds natural sweetness and creaminess when pureed.
Peanut butter: The star ingredient, giving the soup its unique, creamy texture and nutty flavor.
Vegetable broth: Forms the liquid base of the soup, enhancing the overall flavor.
Ground cumin: Adds a warm, earthy flavor.
Ground coriander: Provides a citrusy, slightly sweet flavor.
Salt: Enhances all the other flavors in the soup.
Black pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth.
Lime: The juice adds a fresh, tangy brightness to the soup.
Spinach: Adds a pop of color and a boost of nutrients.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When sautéing the onion and garlic, make sure to cook them until they are translucent and fragrant, but not browned. This will ensure that the flavors are well-developed without adding any bitterness to the soup. Additionally, when adding the peanut butter to the vegetable broth, stir continuously to help it dissolve evenly and prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
olive oil - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil adds a subtle sweetness that complements the flavors in the soup.
onion - Substitute with leek: Leeks provide a milder, slightly sweet flavor that works well in soups.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a delicate garlic-onion flavor that can enhance the soup's taste.
sweet potato - Substitute with butternut squash: Butternut squash has a similar texture and sweetness, making it a good alternative.
peanut butter - Substitute with almond butter: Almond butter provides a nutty flavor and creamy texture similar to peanut butter.
vegetable broth - Substitute with chicken broth: Chicken broth can add a richer flavor, though it will make the dish non-vegetarian.
ground cumin - Substitute with ground coriander: Ground coriander has a warm, citrusy flavor that can replace cumin in a pinch.
ground coriander - Substitute with ground caraway seeds: Ground caraway seeds offer a similar earthy, slightly sweet flavor.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, enhancing the soup's depth.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat but with a slightly different flavor profile.
lime, juiced - Substitute with lemon, juiced: Lemon juice offers a similar acidity and brightness to the dish.
chopped spinach - Substitute with kale: Kale adds a similar texture and nutritional value, though it has a slightly stronger flavor.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Soup
How To Store / Freeze This Soup
- Allow the soup to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to a watery texture.
- Transfer the soup into airtight containers. For easy portioning, consider using individual serving-sized containers.
- Label each container with the date. This ensures you keep track of freshness and consume the soup within a safe timeframe.
- Store the containers in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the soup within 3-4 days. The flavors will meld beautifully over this period.
- For longer storage, place the containers in the freezer. The soup can be frozen for up to 3 months without losing its rich, creamy texture.
- When ready to enjoy, thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the integrity of the ingredients.
- Reheat the soup gently on the stovetop over medium heat. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating and to prevent sticking.
- If the soup appears too thick after reheating, add a splash of vegetable broth or water to achieve the desired consistency.
- Garnish with fresh spinach or a squeeze of lime juice just before serving to refresh the flavors and add a burst of color.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method: Pour the leftover soup into a saucepan and heat over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating. Once the soup is hot and steaming, it's ready to serve. This method helps maintain the texture and flavors of the soup.
Microwave Method: Transfer the soup to a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or a plate to prevent splatters. Heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Continue heating in 30-second intervals if needed until the soup is hot.
Double Boiler Method: Place the leftover soup in a heatproof bowl and set it over a pot of simmering water. Stir occasionally until the soup is heated through. This gentle method prevents the soup from scorching and preserves its creamy texture.
Slow Cooker Method: Pour the soup into a slow cooker and set it to low. Heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally. This method is perfect if you have time and want to keep the soup warm for an extended period.
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the soup to an oven-safe dish and cover with foil. Heat for about 20-30 minutes, stirring halfway through. This method is useful if you're reheating a large batch.
Essential Tools for Making This Recipe
Large pot: Used for heating the olive oil, sautéing the onion and garlic, and cooking the soup.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the ingredients in the pot to combine them well.
Blender: Necessary for pureeing the soup to achieve a smooth consistency.
Chef's knife: Essential for chopping the onion and dicing the sweet potato.
Cutting board: Provides a surface for safely chopping and dicing the vegetables.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure out the ground cumin, ground coriander, salt, and black pepper accurately.
Measuring cups: Useful for measuring the peanut butter and vegetable broth.
Juicer: Handy for extracting juice from the lime efficiently.
Ladle: Perfect for serving the hot soup into bowls.
How to Save Time on Making This Soup
Prep ingredients in advance: Chop the onion, mince the garlic, and dice the sweet potato ahead of time to streamline the cooking process.
Use a food processor: Quickly blend the soup using a food processor instead of a blender to save time.
Pre-measure spices: Measure out the ground cumin, ground coriander, salt, and black pepper before you start cooking.
Opt for pre-washed spinach: Use pre-washed and chopped spinach to cut down on prep time.
Microwave sweet potatoes: Partially cook the sweet potato in the microwave before adding it to the pot to reduce simmering time.

African Inspired Peanut And Sweet Potato Soup
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Onion, chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 Sweet Potato, peeled and diced
- 1 cup Peanut Butter
- 4 cups Vegetable Broth
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Ground Coriander
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 Lime, juiced
- 1 cup Chopped Spinach
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until softened.
- Add diced sweet potato, peanut butter, and vegetable broth. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are tender.
- Use a blender to puree the soup until smooth. Return to the pot.
- Stir in ground cumin, ground coriander, salt, black pepper, lime juice, and chopped spinach. Simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Soup
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