Main Course · African · Dinner ·

Spicy Ugandan Matoke with Groundnut Sauce

Name: Spicy Ugandan Matoke with Groundnut Sauce
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 6 ripe plantains, peeled and halved; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1 cup peanut butter, smooth; 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth; 2 tomatoes, diced; 1 onion, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper; Salt and black pepper, to taste; 1 tablespoon ground coriander; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon turmeric; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro; 1 lime, cut into wedges

This dish features tender plantains simmered in a spicy groundnut sauce, offering a unique and flavorful journey that reflects the vibrant Ugandan cuisine.

4.1(723 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·October 20, 2025

Spicy Ugandan Matoke with Groundnut Sauce — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

Matoke

Groundnut Sauce

Spice Mixture

Garnishings

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 694 kcal
Protein: 20.5 g
Carbs: 76 g
Fat: 40.25 g
Fiber: 10.5 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2775 kcal
Protein: 82 g
Carbs: 304 g
Fat: 161 g
Fiber: 42 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
6 ripe plantains peeled and halved	816	10	216	2	18
2 tablespoons vegetable oil	240	0	0	28	0
1 cup peanut butter smooth	1518	64	48	128	12
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth	30	3	3	1	0
2 tomatoes diced	44	2	10	0	2
1 onion chopped	44	1	10	0	2
2 cloves garlic minced	9	0	2	0	0
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper	17	1	3	1	2
Salt and black pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
1 tablespoon ground coriander	20	1	3	1	2
1 teaspoon ground cumin	8	0	1	0	1
1 teaspoon turmeric	8	0	1	0	1
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro	1	0	0	0	0
1 lime cut into wedges	20	0	7	0	2

These nutrition values are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Matoke

1
Heat the oil
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2
Brown Plantains
Add the plantains and brown them on all sides; remove and set aside.
3
Season Plantains
Sprinkle the plantains with a pinch of salt.

Preparing the Groundnut Sauce

1
Sauté Onion
In the same pot, add onion and sauté until translucent.
2
Add Aromatics
Stir in garlic, tomatoes, and the spice mixture; cook until aromatic.
3
Combine Peanut Butter and Broth
Mix in peanut butter gradually, followed by broth, stirring until smooth.
Tip: Ensure the heat is moderate to prevent the peanut butter from separating. You can add a chili pepper for extra heat before serving.

How to Make Spicy Ugandan Matoke with Groundnut Sauce

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Simmering Sauce
Allow the sauce to simmer gently for about 20 minutes to develop flavors.
2
Incorporating Plantains
Add plantains to the sauce and ensure they are well-coated.
3
Final Touches
Cook for another 25 minutes until plantains are tender and sauce thickens.