Main Course · African · Dinner ·

Ghanaian Red Red with Fried Plantains

Name: Ghanaian Red Red with Fried Plantains
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 2 cups black-eyed peas, pre-cooked or canned, drained and rinsed; 1 large onion, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon ginger, grated; 1 red bell pepper, diced; 2 tomatoes, diced; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; Salt and pepper, to taste; 3 ripe plantains, peeled and sliced diagonally; 1 cup vegetable oil, for frying; Salt, to taste

Dive into the rich flavors of Ghana with this comforting dish featuring a spicy bean stew paired with sweet, fried plantains.

4.2(942 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·July 21, 2025

Ghanaian Red Red with Fried Plantains — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Red Red (Bean Stew)

For the Fried Plantains

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 827 kcal
Protein: 9.75 g
Carbs: 64.5 g
Fat: 64 g
Fiber: 7.75 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 3309 kcal
Protein: 39 g
Carbs: 258 g
Fat: 256 g
Fiber: 31 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
2 cups black-eyed peas pre-cooked or canned, drained and rinsed	440	30	80	2	16
1 large onion finely chopped	44	1	10	0	2
2 cloves garlic minced	10	0	2	0	0
1 tablespoon ginger grated	5	0	1	0	0
1 red bell pepper diced	30	1	7	0	2
2 tomatoes diced	44	2	10	0	2
2 tablespoons tomato paste	30	1	7	0	2
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper	6	0	1	0	0
2 tablespoons vegetable oil	240	0	0	28	0
Salt and pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
3 ripe plantains peeled and sliced diagonally	540	4	140	2	7
1 cup vegetable oil for frying	1920	0	0	224	0
Salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Beans

1
Combine the beans
In a large bowl, combine the black-eyed peas, a pinch of salt, and set aside to absorb flavors.
Tip: Ensure the beans are thoroughly cooked before adding to the stew to avoid a hard texture.

Preparing the Stew Base

1
Heat oil
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pot over medium heat.
2
Sauté aromatics
Add onions, garlic, and ginger, sauté until the onions are translucent.
3
Cook peppers and tomatoes
Stir in red bell peppers and tomatoes, cooking for another 5 minutes.
Tip: For a smoky flavor, consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika.

How to Make Ghanaian Red Red with Fried Plantains

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Stew Creation
Add tomato paste and cayenne pepper to the onion mixture, stirring well, then add the beans and simmer for 20 minutes.
2
Plantain Frying
Heat vegetable oil in a skillet, fry plantain slices until golden brown, then drain on paper towels.
3
Final Seasoning
Adjust salt and pepper in the stew to taste before serving.