Name: Chakalaka
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: South Africa, Southern Africa
Ingredients: 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 2 whole onions, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp curry powder; 3 whole carrots, grated; 1 whole green pepper, diced; 1 whole red pepper, diced; 400 g canned baked beans; 400 g canned chopped tomatoes; 2 whole chilli peppers, finely chopped

Chakalaka

A vibrant, spicy vegetable relish made with beans, tomatoes, peppers, and carrots â€” a staple side dish at every South African braai and gathering.

Country

South Africa

Region

Southern Africa

Time

45 min

Serves

Level

easy

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Chakalaka was born in the gold mining townships of Johannesburg, where workers from across Southern Africa combined whatever vegetables and spices they had on hand to create a fiery relish. The dish quickly spread beyond the mines and became an essential part of South African food culture, especially at braais where no spread is complete without a bowl of chakalaka.

What the dish tastes like

A vibrant, spicy vegetable relish made with beans, tomatoes, peppers, and carrots â€” a staple side dish at every South African braai and gathering.

When to cook it

Best for Braai, with a easy cooking level and about 45 minutes total.

What to serve alongside it

Pap and grilled meat

Follow the collection route

Vegetarian Africa is the main AfroKitchen collection route tied to this dish right now. Vegetarian Africa

SautÃ© aromatics

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and fry until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and curry powder, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant.

SautÃ© onions 05:00

Add vegetables

Add the grated carrots and diced peppers. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.

Cook vegetables 05:00

Add tomatoes and beans

Stir in the chopped tomatoes and chilli peppers. Simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens and the vegetables are tender.

Adjust the chilli to your heat preference â€” some like it fiery, others mild.

Simmer 10:00

Add beans and finish

Add the baked beans, stir gently, and simmer for another 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Final simmer 10:00

Rest and serve

Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Chakalaka can be served warm or at room temperature alongside pap and braai meat.

Chakalaka tastes even better the next day as the flavors develop overnight.

Chakalaka

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Step-by-step instructions

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