🇱🇸 Basotho (Lesotho) Cuisine

Nama ea Khomo

Basotho Beef Stew

Prep Time 20 min

Servings 6

Difficulty Medium

Calories 450 kcal

A slow-cooked beef stew with rich tomato gravy, potatoes, and carrots. This substantial dish is everyday comfort food in Lesotho, warming families through the cold mountain winters.

Ingredients

1 kg beef chuck, cubed
4 potatoes, peeled and quartered
3 carrots, sliced
2 onions, chopped
4 tomatoes, chopped
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 teaspoons curry powder
Salt and pepper to taste
3 cups water

Instructions

1 Heat oil in a cast iron pot over high heat
2 Season beef with salt, pepper, and curry powder
3 Brown beef in batches, set aside
4 Sauté onions and garlic until golden
5 Add tomatoes and tomato paste, cook 5 minutes
6 Return beef to pot, add water
7 Bring to boil, reduce to simmer
8 Cook covered for 1.5 hours
9 Add potatoes and carrots, cook 30 more minutes
10 Adjust seasoning and serve with papa

Did You Know?

Basotho cattle are considered family wealth, so beef stew was historically a rare treat. The saying 'khomo ke banka' (cattle are the bank) reflects how precious beef was — making this stew a true luxury.