Name: Luwombo
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 150 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Uganda, East Africa
Ingredients: 1 kg chicken pieces, bone-in, skin removed; 4 whole banana leaves, softened over flame; 1 cup ground peanuts, finely ground; 2 whole onions, chopped; 3 whole tomatoes, chopped; 2 whole bell peppers, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 inch ginger, grated; 1 cup mushrooms, sliced; 1Â½ tsp salt; Â½ tsp black pepper; 1 cup water

Luwombo

A royal Ugandan dish of chicken, beef, or groundnut sauce steamed in banana leaves, locking in extraordinary flavor.

Country

Uganda

Region

East Africa

Time

150 min

Serves

Level

hard

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Luwombo was created in 1887 by the personal chef of Kabaka Mwanga II, the king of Buganda. It remains the most prestigious dish in Ugandan cuisine, served at weddings, coronations, and important gatherings. The banana leaf wrapping steams the ingredients to incredible tenderness while infusing a subtle earthy aroma.

What the dish tastes like

A royal Ugandan dish of chicken, beef, or groundnut sauce steamed in banana leaves, locking in extraordinary flavor.

When to cook it

Best for everyday meals, with a hard cooking level and about 150 minutes total.

What to serve alongside it

Use the interactive recipe fallback or country hub to explore pairings.

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Ingredients

Prepare Banana Leaves

Pass banana leaves briefly over an open flame to soften them and prevent tearing. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

The leaves should become pliable and darker green â€” do not char them.

Mix Filling

In a large bowl, combine chicken, ground peanuts, onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, garlic, ginger, mushrooms, salt, pepper, and water. Mix thoroughly.

Mixing the ground peanuts into the raw sauce ensures they cook into a rich, thick gravy.

Wrap Parcels

Place a portion of the mixture onto each banana leaf. Fold the leaf into a secure parcel, tying with banana fiber or kitchen string.

Ensure parcels are tightly sealed so steam cannot escape during cooking.

Steam

Place parcels in a large steamer or pot with a raised rack and water in the bottom. Cover tightly and steam over medium heat until chicken is very tender.

Steam 60:00

Check Doneness

Carefully open one parcel to check that chicken is cooked through and sauce is thick. If needed, reseal and steam longer.

Serve

Place unopened parcels on plates â€” let guests unwrap their own. Serve with matooke (steamed green bananas) or posho.

The aroma when opening the parcel at the table is part of the experience.

Luwombo

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Step-by-step instructions

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