Chakalaka – spicy South African vegetable side-dish.
Chakalaka is a traditional South African vegetable side-dish. Colorful and spicy, it often accompanies grilled meat, fish, stews or curries. It usually consists of carrots, peppers, onions, tomatoes and beans. There are many variations pf this dish, depending on region.
Chakalaka has been a staple food for South Africans, and is a required condiment at South African barbecues, known as braai. It is served hot or cold with a slice of bread or a bowl of pap (a kind of polenta).
This colorful vegetarian dish is uncomplicated to prepare and full of flavor.

Chakalaka
Cook Time
25 mins
Chakalaka - spicy South African vegetable side-dish.
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
African
Keyword:
chakalaka
Servings: 3
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 green pepper, diced
- 1/2 yellow pepper, diced
- 1/2 red pepper, diced
- 3 large carrots, grated
- 7 oz (200g) canned chopped tomatoes
- 1 Tbsp tomato purée
- 7 oz (200g) cooked or baked beans
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- chopped fresh coriander for garnish
- SEASONINGS : salt, pepper, ginger, curry powder, chili powder, thyme, to taste
Instructions
-
Saute onion in olive oil until soft.
-
Add garlic, and the peppers and cook for about 2-3 minutes.
-
Add grated carrots and season to taste.
-
Add chopped tomatoes and tomato paste, and cook until vegetables are soft. If liquid evaporates too quickly, add a little bit of water.
-
In a small bowl, combine cornstarch with 1/4 cup water. Add to the mixture and stir until thickened.
-
Remove from heat and add beans and chopped fresh coriander. Serve hot or cold.
Want to make this, can you replace the baked beans with Black beans? TIA
You can, for sure. That’s what I did 🙂
How many servings would you say this makes as a vegetarian main with some bread?
I would say probably 3 servings.
How much seasoning do you use? Thank you
I don’t really measure seasonings. Usually I add just a pinch of everything, taste and then add some more until it feels right.