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:

By Shelli McConnell,

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.

Comments (10)

(5 from 4 votes)

Recipe Rating

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Momma G

Hi Debra. We did and it heats up very well. My husband and I experienced different microwave times, but no more than 5 minutes, stirring frequently. The containers were still frozen. We portioned about 1 cup of carribean stew with 1/2 cup of the brown rice and green sauce together in freezer/microwave containers. Sprinkled some cumin on top and put in the freezer. Packed some berries on the side, and was perfect for a filling work lunch. Plan to make a batch again this weekend, but will increase the portions though!!

Debra Rudecki

i made this stew today just love it wanted to know if you can freeze left overs for a month to eat later

Momma G

Hi Debra. We did and it heats up very well. My husband and I experienced different microwave times, but no more than 5 minutes, stirring frequently. The containers were still frozen. We portioned about 1 cup of carribean stew with 1/2 cup of the brown rice and green sauce together in freezer/microwave containers. Sprinkled some cumin on top and put in the freezer. Packed some berries on the side, and was perfect for a filling work lunch. Plan to make a batch again this weekend, but will increase the portions though!!

Peyton

Both my husband and I love it!! Definitely recommend

Jennifer Lacroix

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.

Terri

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

Megan Edwards

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 K

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 Hamilton

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

Megan Edwards

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.

About the Author

Headshot of Shelli McConnell

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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