A Classic Family Recipe

When it comes to comfort food in Nigeria, nothing beats a plate of steaming white rice with rich, flavorful tomato stew. It’s a staple in almost every Nigerian home — versatile, delicious, and the perfect base for many meals.

Whether you’re pairing it with rice, yam, beans, or even spaghetti, this Nigerian Tomato Stew recipe will give you that deep red color and mouthwatering aroma you’ve been craving.

Let’s get cooking!

🧺 Ingredients You’ll Need

🍅 For the Tomato Base:

• 8 large Roma tomatoes (fresh or canned)
• 3 medium red bell peppers (tatashe)
• 2 scotch bonnet peppers (atarodo)
• 2 medium onions (one for blending, one for frying)
• 2–3 tablespoons tomato paste (optional, for richer color)

🍗 For the Stew:

• 500g beef, chicken, or goat meat (pre-cooked and seasoned)
• 1 cup vegetable oil (or less, to your preference)
• 2 seasoning cubes (Maggi/Knorr)
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 2 bay leaves (optional)
• Salt — to taste

Step-by-Step Preparation

Step 1: Blend the Peppers and Tomatoes

• Roughly chop your tomatoes, bell peppers, scotch bonnets, and one onion.
• Blend them until smooth.
• Boil the blended mixture for 10–15 minutes to reduce excess water. This helps prevent splattering later and gives a thicker stew.

Step 2: Fry the Onions

• Heat your vegetable oil in a large pot.
• Add the sliced onions and sauté until golden brown and fragrant.

Step 3: Add Tomato Paste (Optional)

• Stir in the tomato paste and fry for 2–3 minutes to remove its raw taste.
• This gives your stew a deeper color and richer flavor.

Step 4: Fry the Blended Tomato Mix

• Pour in the boiled tomato-pepper mixture.
• Stir and let it fry on medium heat, stirring frequently, until the oil starts to separate from the sauce (about 15–25 minutes).
• The key here is patience — the longer you fry, the richer the flavor!

Step 5: Add Seasoning and Meat

• Add your cooked meat (and stock if available).
• Sprinkle in thyme, curry powder, seasoning cubes, and salt to taste.
• Stir well and allow to simmer for another 10–15 minutes so the flavors blend beautifully.

Step 6: Taste and Adjust

• Taste for salt and spice.
• If you prefer more heat, add extra pepper or chili flakes.
• Simmer for a few more minutes until you get your desired consistency.

🍛 Serving Suggestions

Nigerian tomato stew is incredibly versatile! You can enjoy it with:

• White rice
• Boiled yam or plantain
• Beans porridge
• Pasta or spaghetti
• Ewedu or okra soup (as a base stew)

🌟 Tips for Perfect Stew Every Time

• Always fry your tomato blend properly to remove sourness.
• Use meat stock instead of plain water for richer taste.
• Add a touch of smoked fish or crayfish for a more traditional twist.
• You can also use palm oil for a local flavor variation.

❤️ Final Thoughts

Nigerian tomato stew is more than just a meal — it’s a tradition that brings people together.
From Sunday lunch with family to festive celebrations, this stew has a way of warming both the heart and the home.

Try this recipe and enjoy a taste of Nigeria, right from your kitchen!