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    Home » Recipes » Lunch/Dinner » Kale Stew (African Style)

    Published: Oct 4, 2018 · Modified: Feb 9, 2022 by Maureen Celestine with 45 Comments

    Kale Stew (African Style)

    Bursting with flavor, this simple, healthy, and colorful kale stew recipe is deliciously served over steamed rice, yuca (yam), plantain, or thick-cut fried potatoes.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    There's something so satisfying about a tasty African meal; Its great look, incredible aroma, and exquisite taste that completely pleases your palate.

    Kale stew served in a white bowl on a flat surface.

    This African-style version of Kale stew brings you the same satisfying experience and much more. It goes beyond its great taste and offers your body tremendous health benefits that are hard to come by, even among other vegetables of the cabbage family. To help you appreciate the rich qualities of kale stew, the benefits of this dish are discussed below, along with the steps of its preparation.

    BENEFITS OF KALE

    A bunch of fresh kale leaves.

    Beyond the attractive look of this dish, kale is a dark leafy green vegetable that has graced dinner plates since Roman times and has had its fair share of popularity across numerous parts of Europe.

    • Kale is a superfood that possesses excellent staying power.
    • A cup of raw kale boasts 2.5 grams of fiber, a maximum of 33 calories, 3 grams of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and an abundant amount of vitamins b and c.
    • The nutrients contained within this vegetable supports vibrant-looking hair, strong bones, and healthy skin.
    • Kale promotes digestion and enhances cardiovascular health.
    • What's more, the benefits of a kale-rich meal trump other veggies, including spinach.
    • Its nutritional value effectively curbs diabetes by enhancing your blood glucose level. The risk of cancer is minimized, and any possibility of asthma is completely taken off the radar, not to mention the provision of healthy blood pressure.

    While kale is a hearty and healthy vegetable, perfectly shown by its widespread popularity, it also makes a simply irresistible dish when prepared with the right ingredients and method.

    A bowl of rice with kale sauce and fried plantains.

    Ingredient list

    Here are some main ingredients needed for this nutritious kale sauce

    • Red bell peppers.
    • Onion.
    • Chilli peppers or one habanero.
    • Ginger root
    • smoked turkey
    • Organic kale leaves
    • Shrimp (Optional)
    • Seasoning. (I love this Weber brand )

    Step-by-step Instructions

    Here is how to make this easy vegetable sauce:

    process shots on how to make Kale stew.
    • First, roughly process the pepper, ginger, onion, and garlic in the food processor. If you don't have a food processor, chop them finely by hand. I don't advise blending it into a puree unless you don't like the coarse texture of the pepper mixture.
    • Next, you will saute the smoked turkey chunks in a heavy-bottom saucepan on medium-high heat for a few minutes. Sprinkle with seasoning. Once it’s cooked, remove the turkey and set it aside. This helps add more flavor to the turkey and elevates the dish's taste. Remember, kale tends to be a tard bitter, so you need the seasoning.
    • Stir in the pepper mixture carefully. Allow frying for about six minutes, stirring at intervals to avoid burning. Add the turkey and any animal protein of choice into the sauce. Add the rest of the seasoning, and stir to combine. Allow cooking for two minutes.
    • Finally, add the chopped kale and combine it with the turkey sauce. Adjust the seasoning, and allow it to simmer for three minutes. Remove from heat, and serve over steamed rice, yuca, boiled plantains, potatoes, couscous, etc.

    Would you believe it if I told you this one-pot dish could be made in advance? Umm...Score! Oh, it also freezes perfectly for weeks. Heck Ya! It is the perfect healthy accompaniment for any main dish, side dish, or as stand-alone.

    This smoked turkey stew with kale is one of my go-tos for Sunday lunch or special occasions with my non-African friends. It’s an easy crowd-pleaser. Go ahead and give it a try.

    If this dish excites you, wait until you try these:

    • Efo riro
      Efo Riro (spinach or kale soup)
    • Smoky Nigerian jollof rice
      SMOKY NIGERIAN JOLLOF RICE
    • stewed goat with chickpeas.
      Stewed Goat with Chickpeas -Moroccan style
    • a bowl of black eyed beans salad.
      Black-eyed Bean Salad

    Did you make this smoked turkey stew recipe? Join in the fun! Please share it with us on Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag worldlytreat (#worldlytreat). I would love to see what you made. Don’t forget to PIN this recipe for later! Once you try it, you’ll keep coming back to it. Seriously, look at her. Why wouldn’t you?

    Peace & Love,

    Maureen.

    📖 Recipe

    Kale stew-Africa Style

    KALE STEW (African Style

    Maureen Celestine
    Bursting with flavor, this simple, healthy and colorful kale stew recipe is delicious served with steamed rice, yuca (yam), plantain or thick cut fried potatoes.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 16 minutes mins
    Total Time 36 minutes mins
    Course Dinner, Lunch, sauces, Side Dish
    Cuisine african, Nigerian
    Servings 6
    Calories 357 kcal

    Equipment

    • Food processor
    • Heavy bottom sauce pan

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 large onion
    • 4 large red bell peppers
    • 2 garlic cloves
    • 13g ginger root, peeled (equivalent to a thumb size)
    • 4 chili peppers (1 habanero is fine too)
    • ½ cup Olive oil
    • 1 pound smoked turkey, cut into chunks.
    • 12 oz. Cooked shrimp (optional)
    • 1 teaspoon Webber seasoning (Any all-purpose seasoning is fine)
    • 2 tablespoons knorr chicken bouillon powder
    • 1 teaspoon curry powder
    • salt to taste
    • 515 g Organic Kale leaves washed and chopped (frozen is good too)

    Instructions
     

    • process the pepper, ginger, onion, garlic, and chilli pepers roughly in the food processor.
    • Heat up the oil over medium-high heat, then saute the turkey chunks for a few minutes. Sprinkle with Weber or all-purpose seasoning. Once it’s cooked throug, remove the turkey and set it aside.
    • Stir in the pepper mixture carefully. Allow frying for about six minutes, stirring at intervals to avoid burning. Add the turkey and any protein of choice into the sauce. Add all the seasoning, and stir to combine. Allow to cook on for two minutes.
    • Add the kale leaves and combine with sauce. Adjust the seasoning, and allow to simmer for three minutes. Remove from heat, and serve.

    Notes

    PRO'S TIP
    If you don't have a food processor,  Chop them by hand. 
     
    Keyword kale sauce, kale stew, spinach stew, vegetable sauce

    PIN ME!

     

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      Hot Honey Chicken Wings
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      Hot Honey Chicken Tenders
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      Blackened Chicken Alfredo
    • gouda mac and cheese on a flat surface garnished with breadcrumbs and herbs.
      Gouda Mac and Cheese

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sara says

      October 11, 2018 at 11:45 am

      This looks SO good - I love this time of year for more hearty meals and we've been talking about doing some meal prep and batch cooking so it's a perfect fit.

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        October 29, 2018 at 6:33 am

        I love batch cooking, they are my ritual. These are freezer friendly, so it'd fit right in.

        Reply
    2. Scott Gombar says

      October 11, 2018 at 2:58 pm

      This looks really good. I am a rare breed of person who likes Kale. Adding shrimp and making it a stew just makes it even better

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        October 29, 2018 at 6:31 am

        ha ha ha! I love me some greens! they are so yum! Thanks, Scott.

        Reply
    3. Kisha says

      October 11, 2018 at 4:52 pm

      Can I just say how yummy this looks. I went to an Ethiopian restaurant the other day with hubby and had kale greens (think it was a mix with collards), no meat and it was the most scrumptious greens I've ever tasted. Your greens puts me in mind of them.

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        October 29, 2018 at 6:30 am

        So glad to hear that Kisha. Thanks!

        Reply
    4. Yanna says

      October 11, 2018 at 8:17 pm

      Oh my gosh this really really looks amazing!!! I love how it takes just a short span of time to cook and prepare. Saving this for later!

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        October 29, 2018 at 6:29 am

        Right! No fuss and time saving, that's always a win-win.

        Reply
    5. angel says

      October 11, 2018 at 11:34 pm

      wow! i would love to recreate this. kale is pretty expensive in our country. i would try to replace it with water spinach.

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        October 29, 2018 at 6:28 am

        Sorry to hear that angle. Water spinach would definitely work. Enjoy!

        Reply
    6. evelyn hernandez says

      October 12, 2018 at 5:23 am

      I love shrimp as a protein. It is low calorie and loaded with protein. I had never cooked it with kale which would make it even more nutritious. The recipe looks amazing, will try it soon!

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        October 29, 2018 at 6:26 am

        Me, too, Evelyn. Shrimp is so underrated. Hope you enjoy it.

        Reply
    7. Tasha at Lady Boss Studio says

      October 12, 2018 at 6:10 am

      This looks fantastic! Perfect for a fall day. I love stews and will definitely try this.

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        October 29, 2018 at 6:24 am

        Yay! Enjoy!

        Reply
    8. Maartje van Sandwijk says

      October 12, 2018 at 6:27 am

      This looks really good! And it would be so easy to make vegan as well 🙂

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        October 29, 2018 at 6:24 am

        Totally adaptable 🙂

        Reply
    9. Ashley says

      October 12, 2018 at 7:25 am

      I love kale and incorporating it into meals. This looks pretty good, and I like all of the ingredients that go into it, so I'll definitely have to give it a try.

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        October 29, 2018 at 6:23 am

        Yay! Mee, too. Enjoy, Ashley.

        Reply
    10. Tosha says

      October 12, 2018 at 7:27 am

      Perfect for the holidays and fall weather. Different I’ve never made anything like this but looks tasty.

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        October 29, 2018 at 6:22 am

        So perfect all year round! You should give it a shot.

        Reply
    11. Lyosha says

      October 12, 2018 at 9:26 am

      Looks delicious and so colorful! i love it when dish looks super happy with color. Kale is one of my favorites so I'm pining it to cook later next week

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        October 29, 2018 at 6:21 am

        Kale is the best! I am so glad to hear that, I hope you enjoy it.

        Reply
    12. Megan says

      October 12, 2018 at 12:08 pm

      Wow, this looks delicious! I've never seen a recipe like this before. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        October 29, 2018 at 6:20 am

        It's my pleasure, Meagan.

        Reply
    13. Ana Ojha says

      October 12, 2018 at 12:10 pm

      Your African style Kale stew looks incredibly delicious in your pictures! Though I'm not much fond of kale but couldn't admit more about its health benefits!

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        October 29, 2018 at 6:19 am

        It truly is nutritious. Give it a go, you won't taste the kale.

        Reply
    14. leigh anne borders says

      October 12, 2018 at 2:44 pm

      I think this is a great recipe. I have been trying to get my family to eat this more. I am thinking if I made this, they would enjoy it.

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        October 29, 2018 at 6:17 am

        You should give it a shot for sure! They'll be obsessed!

        Reply
    15. Christa says

      October 12, 2018 at 4:25 pm

      The looks so flavorful and delicious! I love kale and this might be a great way to get the members of my family who aren't as enthusiastic about it to eat it.

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        October 29, 2018 at 6:16 am

        It indeed is tasty; if you don't mention it, they can easily mistake it for spinach 🙂

        Reply
    16. Preet says

      October 13, 2018 at 12:47 am

      My kids would absolutely love these. This would disappear in no time at our house! This is my kind of weekend treat.

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        October 29, 2018 at 6:14 am

        So glad to hear it! Me, too!

        Reply
    17. Emily says

      October 13, 2018 at 1:22 pm

      This looks super tasty! All that colour! Kale gets a thumbs up from me so I think I'd love this.

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        October 29, 2018 at 6:14 am

        It's the best! I bet you would.

        Reply
    18. Faneshia says

      October 13, 2018 at 11:28 pm

      I really don’t eat kale but this looks delicious! I always want to eat more healthier but have it also taste delicious. This seems like a good idea to try. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        October 29, 2018 at 6:12 am

        Totally life changing, Faneshia... 🙂

        Reply
    19. Erica D Ardali says

      October 14, 2018 at 1:57 am

      My fiancee would love this! I think I'll give it a try

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        October 29, 2018 at 6:12 am

        You definitely should 🙂

        Reply
    20. Melissa Sanchez says

      October 15, 2018 at 6:23 am

      I have a passion for kale, love love love it. this looks delicious, I am serious my mouth is watering over here. i can't wait to try it.

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        October 29, 2018 at 6:11 am

        Love hearing that Melissa. Hope you enjoy it.

        Reply
    21. Anisha Barber says

      August 17, 2019 at 3:21 pm

      I have made this 3 times and different ways with smoked turkey, shrimp and chicken thighs each time it comes out amazing. Thank you. This is on rotation!

      Reply
      • Maureen Celestine says

        August 18, 2019 at 4:29 pm

        I am glad to hear that Anisha. I love the different varieties you’ve created. Don’t forget to share your pictures with us either via Instagram (@worldlytreat) or email (worldlytreat@gmail.com); I’d love to see your delicious creations.

        Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Nigerian Jollof Rice (smoky without firewood or buring) says:
      February 26, 2021 at 10:15 pm

      […] Kale Stew (African style) […]

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    Thanks for stopping by. It means the world to me. On Worldly Treat, you'll discover family-friendly dishes, one-pot recipes, signature cocktails, classic African dishes, holiday favorites, and lots more! Easy recipes for the everyday home cook. You can taste the world right in your kitchen without taking a trip. Please follow along. Let's get cooking!

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