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    Home / Side Dish / Chakalaka

    Chakalaka

    A fiery vegetable relish of beans, peppers, and carrots in curry-spiced tomato — the essential sidekick at every South African braai.

    ⏱ 20 minPrep time
    🔥 30 minCook time
    🍽 8Servings
    🏷 Side DishCategory
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    Chakalaka is the bold, spicy vegetable relish that turns up at every South African braai, township gathering, and Sunday lunch table. It started as a humble way to stretch canned beans and vegetables into something exciting, and it grew into a national treasure with as many versions as there are cooks. Some like it mild, some like it to clear the sinuses, but everyone agrees it belongs next to pap and grilled meat.

    Spicy, tangy, and better the next day

    Sweet carrots and bell peppers soften into a rough, chunky relish while curry powder, chili, and a shot of vinegar keep things bright and sharp. Spooned over crumbly pap or piled onto a boerewors roll, it adds color, crunch, and a warm kick that cuts through rich meat. Make a big pot, because leftovers vanish fast.

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    Step by stepInstructions

    1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat and cook the onion until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute more.
    2. Stir in the curry powder and turmeric and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
    3. Add the carrots, bell peppers, and tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables soften.
    4. Pour in the baked beans with their sauce, add the chili, vinegar, salt, and sugar, and stir well.
    5. Simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, until the relish is thick and glossy and the carrots are tender.
    6. Taste and adjust the salt, sugar, or heat, then serve warm or at room temperature with pap and grilled meat.

    💡 Chef tips & storage

    The flavors deepen overnight, so make chakalaka a day ahead if you can. Adjust the heat to your crowd by seeding the chili or leaving it out entirely.

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    Recipe details

    Prep20 min
    Cook30 min
    Servings8
    CategorySide Dish
    PublishedAugust 17, 2026
    Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

    Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

    Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

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