The Best African Peanut Soup Recipe

When winter winds started rattling my kitchen windows, I found myself craving something that would wrap around me like a warm hug.

That’s when I discovered this incredible African peanut soup – a bowl of pure comfort that combines creamy peanut butter with warming spices and tender vegetables.

You know how some recipes just speak to your soul? This peanut soup does exactly that, filling your home with rich, nutty aromas while delivering deep, satisfying flavors in every spoonful.

Why You’ll Love This African Peanut Soup

My family goes crazy for this hearty soup because it strikes the perfect balance between familiar comfort and exciting new flavors.

You get that creamy richness from natural peanut butter paired with warming spices that wake up your taste buds.

I love how forgiving this peanut soup recipe is – you can adjust the heat, swap vegetables based on what’s in your fridge, and it always turns out incredible.

When I’m planning a cozy dinner around this soup, I often pair it with my pumpkin baked ziti with sausage for guests who want something heartier on the side.

For lighter accompaniments, my easy butternut squash ravioli makes a beautiful starter that complements the African flavors perfectly.

Ingredients You Need for African Peanut Soup

For the flavor base:

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced (trust me, fresh makes all the difference)
• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeds removed and finely chopped
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste

For the soup body:

• 1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 5 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option)
• 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed
• 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup natural creamy peanut butter (no sugar added works best)
• 4 cups fresh kale, stems removed and roughly chopped
• 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie works great)
• Kosher salt to taste

For serving:

• Chopped roasted peanuts
• Fresh cilantro leaves
• Lime wedges

Ingredient notes: I always use natural peanut soup base with no added sugars – it gives you pure nutty flavor without overwhelming sweetness.

For the chicken, leftover rotisserie saves time, but any cooked chicken works beautifully.

How to Make African Peanut Soup

Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent. The kitchen should smell amazing already!

Step 2: Stir in minced ginger, jalapeño, and garlic. Cook for another minute until fragrant – this builds the flavor foundation for your peanut soup.

Step 3: Add black pepper, cumin, and tomato paste. Cook while stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes until the tomato paste deepens in color. This step creates incredible depth.

Step 4: Pour in crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, cubed sweet potato, and drained chickpeas. Whisk in the peanut butter until completely smooth – no lumps allowed!

Step 5: Bring everything to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 18-20 minutes until sweet potatoes are fork-tender.

Step 6: Stir in chopped kale and shredded chicken. Cook for another 6-8 minutes until kale wilts and chicken heats through. Taste and adjust salt as needed.

Step 7: Serve hot, topped with chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro. A squeeze of lime brightens everything up beautifully.

If this African peanut soup becomes a new favorite in your home (and I’m betting it will!), I’d love for you to save it to your recipe collection!

You can find more warming, family-friendly recipes on my Pinterest – I’m always sharing new comfort food ideas that bring families together around the dinner table.

How I Make This Peanut Soup Perfect Every Time

My secret? I always taste the peanut soup before adding the kale and adjust the seasoning then. The peanut butter can vary in saltiness, so you want to get your base flavors right first.

I also like to blend about half a cup of the soup (sweet potatoes and all) and stir it back in – this creates the most luscious, creamy texture without being too thick.

If your soup gets too heavy, thin it with extra broth rather than water to maintain that rich flavor.

Can I make this peanut soup ahead of time?

Absolutely! This peanut soup actually gets better after sitting overnight as the flavors meld together. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

You might need to thin it with a splash of broth when reheating since it thickens as it cools.

African Peanut Soup

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• Author: Amelia Bryan
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6

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Description

A warming, creamy peanut soup with tender vegetables, aromatic spices, and rich peanut butter that creates the perfect comfort meal.

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Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 5 cups chicken broth
• 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed
• 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup natural creamy peanut butter
• 4 cups fresh kale, chopped
• 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• Kosher salt to taste
• Chopped peanuts and cilantro for serving

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Instructions

1. Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Cook onion 4-5 minutes until softened.
2. Add ginger, jalapeño, and garlic. Cook 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Stir in pepper, cumin, and tomato paste. Cook 2-3 minutes until paste darkens.
4. Add tomatoes, broth, sweet potato, chickpeas, and peanut butter. Whisk until smooth.
5. Bring to boil, reduce heat, and simmer 18-20 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender.
6. Add kale and chicken. Cook 6-8 minutes until kale wilts and chicken heats through.
7. Season with salt and serve topped with peanuts and cilantro.

Notes

• Use natural peanut butter without added sugars for best flavor
• Soup thickens when cooled – thin with extra broth when reheating
• Freezes well for up to 3 months (add kale after thawing)

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes

What can I substitute for peanut butter?

If you have peanut allergies, try sunflower seed butter or almond butter.

The flavor will be different but still wonderful. For a lighter version, you can use powdered peanut butter mixed with a bit of extra broth.

Can I freeze African peanut soup?

Yes, but skip adding the kale until after thawing and reheating.

The soup freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat gently and stir in fresh kale during the last few minutes.

How can I make this soup vegetarian?

Simply swap chicken broth for vegetable broth and omit the shredded chicken. Add an extra can of chickpeas or some cubed tofu for protein.

The peanut soup will still be incredibly satisfying.

How I Love to Serve My African Peanut Soup

I serve this peanut soup most often on chilly Sunday evenings when we’re all gathered around the table sharing stories from our week.

During busy weeknights, I portion it into mason jars for easy grab-and-heat lunches throughout the week.

For special occasions, I set up a toppings bar with various nuts, herbs, and lime wedges so everyone can customize their bowl exactly how they like it.