south africa Recipes
99 delicious south africa recipes from around the world
Chicken Potjie
A hearty and flavorful South African chicken stew cooked in a traditional potjie pot, offering a lighter yet equally delicious alternative to red meat versions.
Creamy Butternut Squash Soup with Ginger
A rich and creamy butternut squash soup, subtly spiced with fresh ginger. Perfect for a comforting meal.
Creamy Cheesy Mieliepap Potjie
A rich, creamy, and cheesy South African maize porridge (mieliepap) cooked in a potjie (traditional cast-iron pot), perfect as a comforting side dish.
Denningvleis (Cape Malay Sweet-Sour Lamb)
A classic Cape Malay dish featuring tender lamb shoulder braised in a rich, sweet-sour sauce infused with tamarind, caramelized onions, and aromatic spices. This slow-cooked stew is known for its complex flavor profile and is often even better the next day.
Droëwors (South African Dried Sausage)
Droëwors are thin, dried boerewors sausages, a popular savory snack perfect for on-the-go. This recipe guides you through preparing and drying your own traditional droëwors.
Frikkadel (South African Meatballs)
Classic South African frikkadels are spiced meatballs, often made with beef and a hint of nutmeg, traditionally served in a savory tomato sauce. This recipe provides a straightforward method for preparing these beloved comfort food staples.
Gatsby Sandwich
A legendary Cape Town street food, the Gatsby is a foot-long roll generously stuffed with crispy chips (fries), your choice of protein, and fresh toppings, all drenched in a spicy peri-peri sauce. It's a hearty, shareable meal perfect for satisfying serious hunger.
Gesmoorde Vis (Smothered Fish - Cape Malay Style)
A comforting and flavorful Cape Malay-inspired dish where firm fish is gently simmered in a rich tomato and onion gravy, served with tender potatoes. This recipe focuses on building layers of flavor for a truly satisfying meal.
Green Fig Konfyt (Candied Figs)
A traditional South African sweet preserve where whole green figs are slowly cooked and candied in a fragrant ginger syrup. Perfect served with cheese, yogurt, or as a sweet treat.
Grilled Kingklip with Lemon-Garlic Butter
A simple yet elegant preparation of premium South African kingklip, pan-seared or grilled to flaky perfection and finished with a vibrant lemon-garlic butter sauce.
Hertzoggie
A classic South African sweet treat featuring a crisp shortcrust pastry shell filled with sweet apricot jam and topped with a chewy coconut meringue.
Hertzoggies
Delicate shortcrust jam tarts filled with apricot jam and topped with a sweet, chewy coconut meringue, then baked until golden. A beloved South African treat.
Hoenderpastei (South African Chicken Pie)
A comforting and classic South African chicken pie featuring tender, shredded chicken in a rich, creamy sauce, encased in flaky puff pastry. Perfect for a hearty meal.
Isibhede
A traditional Zulu-style mashed sweet potato dish, known for its comforting sweetness and smooth texture. It's a simple yet satisfying side dish.
Kerriepatat (Curried Sweet Potatoes)
A comforting and flavorful South African side dish, Kerriepatat features tender sweet potatoes simmered in a sweet and spiced curry butter sauce.
Koeksister Syrup
A classic, intensely sweet, and fragrant spiced syrup, essential for dipping freshly fried, hot koeksisters. The syrup must be thoroughly chilled to create the signature contrast in temperature and texture.
Koeksisters
Cape Malay spiced doughnuts - intricately braided and deep-fried, then immediately plunged into a cold, spiced syrup. The dramatic temperature contrast results in a delightfully sticky, crunchy exterior and a tender, syrupy interior.
Koeksisters (Cape Malay Style)
Authentic Cape Malay koeksisters, characterized by their spiced dough, a fragrant syrup, and a final coating of desiccated coconut. Unlike the braided Afrikaner version, these are typically shaped into ovals or other simple forms.
Krummelpap (Crumbly Maize Porridge)
A staple South African dish, Krummelpap is a drier, crumbly maize porridge, often served as a side dish. It's characterized by its texture, achieved through a specific cooking method, and is typically enriched with butter.
Lamb Bunny Chow
A beloved Durban street food classic, this Lamb Bunny Chow features tender lamb curry served in a hollowed-out bread loaf, creating a hearty and flavorful meal.
Magwinya (Amagwinya)
Magwinya, also known as Amagwinya, are popular South African township doughnuts. These are deep-fried dough balls that can be enjoyed as a savory snack or a sweet treat.
Malva Pudding
A beloved South African sponge pudding, characterized by its sweet, apricot-infused sponge cake that is generously drenched in a warm, creamy sauce. This dessert is the epitome of Cape Dutch comfort food.
Malva Pudding with Sauce
A classic South African sticky sponge pudding, known for its moist, caramel-like texture and rich apricot flavor, served with a warm, creamy sauce that soaks into the cake.
Mango Atchar
A spicy, tangy, and savory South African mango pickle, perfect as a condiment to add a kick to any meal.