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.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Lamb shoulder
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil or Ghee
- 4 large Onions
- 4 cloves Garlic
- 1 tbsp Ginger
- 3 tbsp Tamarind paste
- 3 tbsp Brown sugar
- 6 whole Cloves
- 4 Bay leaves
- 1 (about 5 cm / 2 inches) Cinnamon stick
- 500 ml (approx. 2 cups) Water or Lamb stock
- to taste Salt
- freshly ground, to taste Black pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Pat the lamb cubes dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat the oil or ghee in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, sear the lamb cubes on all sides until deeply browned and a good crust has formed. This browning is crucial for flavor. Remove the browned lamb to a plate and set aside.
⏱️ 15-20 minutes - 2
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the thinly sliced onions to the same pot, adding a little more oil if needed. Cook the onions slowly, stirring occasionally, for about 20-30 minutes, or until they are deeply golden brown, soft, and caramelized. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot as the onions release their moisture. Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger and cook for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 25-30 minutes - 3
Return the seared lamb (and any accumulated juices) to the pot with the caramelized onions. Add the tamarind paste, brown sugar, whole cloves, bay leaves, and cinnamon stick. Stir everything together to coat the lamb. Pour in the water or lamb stock. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Cover the pot tightly, reduce the heat to low, and let the denningvleis simmer gently for at least 2 hours, or until the lamb is fork-tender and falling apart. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. If the sauce seems too thin towards the end, remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow it to reduce and thicken.
⏱️ 2 hours - 5
Once the lamb is tender and the sauce has thickened to your liking, taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and potentially a touch more sugar or tamarind if needed to achieve the perfect sweet-sour balance. Remove and discard the whole cloves, bay leaves, and cinnamon stick before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The key to denningvleis is the balance between sweetness (from the sugar and caramelized onions) and sourness (from the tamarind). Adjust these to your preference.
- ✓Caramelizing the onions properly is essential for developing the deep, rich flavor base of the dish. Don't rush this step.
- ✓This dish is known to improve in flavor when made a day in advance and reheated, allowing the flavors to meld further.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- For a tangier flavor, increase the tamarind paste by 1 tablespoon.
- For a less sweet version, reduce the brown sugar to 2 tablespoons.
- Add a pinch of chili flakes or a finely chopped red chili during step 2 for a hint of heat.