African goat stew is a popular, lip-smacking delicacy in many Nigerian homes. It is made with simple ingredients and spices, and anyone can make it, no matter where they live!
If you love goat meat, this is one recipe you've got to try! It boasts complex flavors and goes so great with many dishes. You only have to taste it once to understand what's so special about goat stew. You won't be able to stop licking your fingers!
What is goat stew?
Goat stew is a tasty African dish made with tomatoes, pepper, spices and of course goat meat, which is the star of this dish. The meat gives it a unique flavor that is slightly different from other Nigerian stews.
Goat stew is a staple food in Nigeria and is just as popular as our beef or chicken stews.
What does goat taste like?
Goat meat tastes deliciously gamey. Goat meat has been compared to lamb, but it's not quite the same. Instead, it has a unique flavor that is all its own.
Goat meat is considered lean meat and is way healthier than beef, pork, or chicken. It also has zero carbs and is a fantastic source of protein.
Is goat stew healthy?
This goat stew is very healthy, gluten-free, and keto-friendly. Goat meat is one of the healthiest meats around.
Unknown to many, it has lower calories and more protein and iron than beef, pork, lamb, and chicken. This delicious, nutrition-filled meat is well-sought and for a good reason.
Goat meat is so versatile! It can be used in a stew, curry, soup, grilled, or baked in an oven. It is one of my favorite meats!
Ingredients Used
- Fresh goat meat: I use either goat shoulder or goat leg, but you can use any cut.
- Spices: Bouillon powder, black pepper, thyme, curry, cayenne pepper (optional), and salt.
- Vegetables: Tomatoes, red bell pepper, habanero pepper, onions. The original Nigerian recipe is made with scotch bonnet pepper, but habanero pepper will make a great substitute.
- Other ingredients: Beef stock and olive oil.
How To Make Goat Stew
To boil the goat meat
- Wash and cut the goat meat (if not already cut). I usually buy mine from a nearby butcher, and he chops it into the size I want.
- Put them in a pot and add just enough water to cover the meat. Add bouillon, salt and black pepper.
- Bring to a boil and simmer for 40-45 minutes until the goat meat is tender. Use a fork to make sure it's soft enough to chew easily.
- Take the meat out of the pot and leave it in a colander to drain the excess stock. Reserve the meat water or broth for the stew.
To make the stew
- Blend the tomatoes, red bell pepper, and habanero pepper in a food processor with just a little water.
- Chop the onions and saute in olive oil on medium heat.
- Add the pepper and tomato purée, curry, thyme, bouillon, and some cayenne pepper(if you want more heat), and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add the goat meat and stock, and stir together. If needed, add a little more broth until it reaches a stew-like consistency.
- Taste for salt before adding any since the stock already contains some salt.
- Cover and let simmer for 10 minutes on medium-low heat.
Storing and Reheating
This delicious African stew can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for 2-3 months. If frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stove the next day with just a little water.
What can I eat this recipe with?
This finger-licking delicacy can be enjoyed by the whole family with rice or any meal that calls for a stew. On my keto diet, I enjoy it with cauliflower rice or shirataki noodles.
Tips and variations
- Only add cayenne pepper if you want it spicier. To cut down on the heat, use half habanero pepper.
- Use an instant pot to cook the goat meat faster before making the stew. Goat meat can be tough, so the instant pot would cook it much faster.
- For those who love fried goat meat, you can slightly fry or air fry your meat before cooking it in the stew.
- If your blended tomato purée is too watery, pour it into an empty pot and simmer for a few minutes to eliminate the excess water.
- Boiling the goat meat in advance, either earlier in the day or the night before, shortens the cooking time.
Frequently asked questions
You can get goat meat directly from a local farm or a butcher. You can also have them cut the goat meat just how you want. Another option is the meat section in African, Asian, or Hispanic grocery stores.
If your goat meat is tough, chances are it was cut from a male goat as female goat meat is a bit more tender. Also, the older the goat is, the tougher the meat would be. So if you're buying goat meat from a local farm, ask for young female goat meat. It is also possible you didn't cook the meat long enough. Cook it until it's tender when you pierce it with a fork.
Due to its somewhat tough nature, goat meat should be cooked as long as it takes to get soft. This is usually 40 - 45 minutes on high to medium heat. For best results, check the softness of the goat meat by occasionally sticking it with a fork. Once it gets tender enough to eat, it's ready.
Check out these other African stews!
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📖 Recipe
African Goat Stew
Ingredients
For the goat meat
- 1.5 lbs goat meat
- 1 teaspoon bouillon powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the stew
- 3 plum tomatoes
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 habanero pepper
- ½ onions chopped
- 1 teaspoon bouillon powder
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon curry
- ½ teaspoon salt or taste
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- ¼ cup olive oil
Instructions
To boil the goat meat
- Wash and cut the goat meat (if not already cut).1.5 lbs goat meat
- Put them in a pot and add water, salt, bouillon, and black pepper.1 teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon bouillon powder
- Bring to a boil and simmer for 40-45 minutes till the goat meat is tender.
- Take the meat out of the pot and reserve the stock for the stew.
To make the stew
- Blend the tomatoes, bell pepper, habanero pepper with just a little water.3 plum tomatoes, 1 red bell pepper, 1 habanero pepper
- Saute onion in olive oil on medium heat.½ onions, ¼ cup olive oil
- Add the blended tomato and pepper mixture and add the curry, thyme and bouillon.½ teaspoon thyme, ½ teaspoon curry, 1 teaspoon bouillon powder
- Add cayenne pepper if you want more heat.½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Simmer for 10 minutes on medium heat.
- Add the goat meat, stock and stir together.1.5 lbs goat meat
- Add a little more broth if needed, till it has enough of a stew-like consistency.
- Taste for salt before adding any.½ teaspoon salt or taste
- Cover and let simmer for 10 minutes on medium-low heat.
Notes
- Only add cayenne pepper if you want it spicier. To cut down on the heat, use half habanero pepper.
- Use an instant pot to cook the goat meat faster before making the stew. Goat meat can be tough, so the instant pot would cook it much faster.
- For those who love fried goat meat, you can slightly fry or air fry your meat before cooking it in the stew.
- If your blended tomato purée is too watery, pour it into an empty pot and simmer for a few minutes to eliminate the excess water.
- Boiling the goat meat in advance, either earlier in the day or the night before, shortens the cooking time.
Nutrition
Tayo Oredola is the founder of Low Carb Africa, where she shares healthy, low carb dishes with global flavors. She is passionate about teaching people how to cook drool-worthy dishes while losing weight and living their best lives. Tayo’s recipes have been featured on MSN, Women’s Health, Parade, Yahoo News, Pure Wow, Essence, and other online publications.
I made this recipe yesterday and it was absolutely delicious! Big hit with the whole family. Thank you for sharing what is now one of our favourite meals.
I'm glad to hear your family loved it, Bernadette!
Amazing recipe, easier than expected to make. I used Red Palm Oil vs Olive oil I used a second pot and then added the goat meat and broth which I think made it easier for me to make it the proper consistency. The broth left I put in a mason jar
Thanks for the lovely feedback, Joy!
I tried this and it was seasoned really well. I added too much of the broth and couldn’t get it to thicken back up, but it was very tasty. 😋
Hi Qiana, simmering on low heat for a little while will get the stew to thicken up some more.
I've had other people's goat stew but decided to make my own using your recipe, will let you know how it turns out!
Can't wait to hear how it turns out!
Excellent goat recipe! Adding it to our collection. Thank you so much for sharing ❤️
You're welcome, Amanda!