Name: Caribbean Sweet Potato Stew
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1½ cup chopped onion; 1 cup coarsely chopped carrots; 1 fresh poblano chile, seeded and chopped (1 cup); ¾ cup chopped red bell pepper; 1 cup chopped celery; 2 teaspoons curry powder; 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger; ½ teaspoon ground allspice; 2 lb. sweet potatoes, peeled if desired, cut into 1-inch cubes (6 cups); 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth; 1 15-oz. can no-salt-added black beans, rinsed and drained (1½ cups); 1 14.5-oz. can no-salt-added diced tomatoes; Sea salt, to taste; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 2 cups packed fresh cilantro; 1 cup packed fresh parsley; ½ cup chopped celery; ½ cup chopped scallions; 8 cloves garlic; 1 fresh fresno chile, seeded and very finely chopped; 2 cups hot cooked brown rice; 2 tablespoons toasted coconut (optional); Lime wedges

Prep-time: 25 minutes / Ready In: 45 minutes
Makes 11 cups
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This scrumptious Caribbean sweet potato stew brings the heat, with a poblano chile sliced up in the brothy base and a Fresno chile creating a kick of spice in the garnish. If you aren’t a fan of spicy food you’re welcome to omit them, but we love how the heat pairs with cubes of creamy sweet potato, earthy carrots, and starchy black beans. A blend of curry powder, allspice, and fresh ginger punch up the flavor profile even more and a toasted coconut topping calls in tropical vibes. The green sauce spooned over each serving adds zesty freshness that will leave you licking the bowl, so be sure to save leftover sauce to stir into grain side dishes, use as a dip, or spoon over roasted veggies. Serve over a bed of brown rice to make this warming stew extra hearty and filling.

For more hearty vegan stews, check out these tasty ideas:

Curried Butternut Squash and Cauliflower Stew
Best-Ever Beefless Stew
Hearty Vegan Red Bean Chili
Or take a look at our full collection of winter soups and stews

By Shelli McConnell, Jan 17, 2023

Ingredients

1½ cup chopped onion
1 cup coarsely chopped carrots
1 fresh poblano chile, seeded and chopped (1 cup)
¾ cup chopped red bell pepper
1 cup chopped celery
2 teaspoons curry powder
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
½ teaspoon ground allspice
2 lb. sweet potatoes, peeled if desired, cut into 1-inch cubes (6 cups)
4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 15-oz. can no-salt-added black beans, rinsed and drained (1½ cups)
1 14.5-oz. can no-salt-added diced tomatoes
Sea salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 cups packed fresh cilantro
1 cup packed fresh parsley
½ cup chopped celery
½ cup chopped scallions
8 cloves garlic
1 fresh fresno chile, seeded and very finely chopped
2 cups hot cooked brown rice
2 tablespoons toasted coconut (optional)
Lime wedges

Instructions

In a Dutch oven cook 1 cup onion, the carrots, poblano chile, bell pepper, and ½ cup celery over medium for 5 minutes or until carrots are softened and other vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally and adding water, 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time, as needed to prevent sticking. Add curry powder, 1 teaspoon ginger, and allspice; cook and stir 1 minute. Stir in sweet potatoes, broth, beans, and undrained tomatoes. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 20 to 25 minutes or until sweet potatoes are tender. Season with salt and black pepper.
For Caribbean Green Sauce, in a blender or food processor combine cilantro, parsley, the remaining ½ cup onion and ½ cup celery, scallions, garlic, and remaining 1 teaspoon ginger. Cover and blend, adding water 1 tablespoon at a time until almost smooth. Stir in fresno chile (if desired). Sauce can be transferred to an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator up to 5 days.
Stir ⅓ cup of the Caribbean Green Sauce into hot cooked rice. Serve stew in bowls over rice. If desired, top with additional green sauce and sprinkle with toasted coconut. Serve with lime wedges.

tags:

gluten-free

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7 Comments

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(5 from 4 votes)

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Peyton1 month ago

Both my husband and I love it!! Definitely recommend

Jennifer Lacroix3 months ago

This meal (pleasantly) surprised me! I omitted all peppers except for the red bell, and it still had a ton of delicious flavors. I agree the Caribbean Green Sauce made the dish pop as did the roasted coconut and freshly squeezed lime as toppers that I wouldn’t omit.

Terri4 months ago

I’m not a fan of cilantro or parsley. could Kale be substituted for those?

Forks Over Knives3 months ago

Hi Terri,
The kale would deliver the desired green color but it wouldn’t have the same flavor as the cilantro and parsley combo, and may even run the risk of giving the rice an earthy or vegetal taste. You could just omit the parsley and cilantro and add a few more scallions and a handful of baby spinach, which is softer and milder than kale. Let us know how it goes!

Julie K4 months ago

Delicious! I loved the Caribbean Green Sauce mixed with the rice. I didn’t have a Poblano or Fresno pepper, so I did substitute a little Jalapeno for some kick. Overall, the dish was very flavorful and filling.

Kerri Hamilton4 months ago

Can you replace the rice with farro or riced cauliflower? If so what would be the recommended amount?

Forks Over Knives3 months ago

Hi Kerri,
You definitely can replace the rice with any other whole grain of your choice. Use the same amount of grain to Green Sauce ratio (2 cups grains to 1/3 cup sauce). Riced cauliflower may not absorb the sauce quite as well, but it would probably still be tasty! Let us know how it goes.

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about the author

Shelli McConnell

Shelli McConnell graduated with a bachelor of science in consumer food science and a minor in journalism from Iowa State University. She began her career as a home economist in the Better Homes & Gardens test kitchen before moving into an editorial position within DotDash Meredith. She has since freelanced for 25 years and has served as an editorial project manager for many books and magazines, including three editions of the Better Homes & Gardens New Cook Book. She has also developed thousands of recipes for publications including Forks Over Knives magazine; Eat This, Not That!; Diabetic Living; Better Homes & Gardens; The Magnolia Journal; and more. McConnell loves to entertain and inspire, so when she’s not in her office, she’s usually in her kitchen. Find her on LinkedIn.

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