Side Dish · African · Dinner ·

Zesty South African Chakalaka

Name: Zesty South African Chakalaka
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Side Dish
Ingredients: Olive Oil, 2 tbsp; Large Onion, diced; Garlic Cloves, 2 cloves, minced; Green Bell Pepper, diced; Red Bell Pepper, diced; Curry Powder, 2 tsp; Paprika, 1 tsp; Chili Flakes, 1/2 tsp; Salt and Black Pepper, to taste; Large Carrots, 4, grated; Diced Tomatoes (400g cans), 2 cans; Tomato Paste, 2 tbsp; Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce (400g can), 1 can; Fresh Parsley, chopped; Lemon Wedges

This traditional South African dish offers a spicy, refreshing kick, perfect for sprucing up your meal.

4.4(602 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·January 29, 2026

Zesty South African Chakalaka — Side Dish served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Easy

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Chakalaka Base

For the Spices

For the Relish

For Garnishing

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 155 kcal
Protein: 4.8 g
Carbs: 22.7 g
Fat: 4.8 g
Fiber: 6 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 929 kcal
Protein: 29 g
Carbs: 136 g
Fat: 29 g
Fiber: 36 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Olive Oil 2 tbsp	240	0	0	27	0
Large Onion diced	40	1	9	0	1
Garlic Cloves 2 cloves, minced	8	0	2	0	0
Green Bell Pepper diced	20	1	5	0	2
Red Bell Pepper diced	30	1	7	0	2
Curry Powder 2 tsp	15	1	3	0	2
Paprika 1 tsp	6	0	1	0	1
Chili Flakes 1/2 tsp	3	0	1	0	0
Salt and Black Pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
Large Carrots 4, grated	100	2	24	0	8
Diced Tomatoes (400g cans) 2 cans	70	4	14	0	4
Tomato Paste 2 tbsp	30	2	7	0	2
Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce (400g can) 1 can	360	17	61	2	14
Fresh Parsley chopped	2	0	0	0	0
Lemon Wedges	5	0	2	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Relish

1
Heat the Oil
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2
Sauté Onion and Garlic
Add the onion and garlic. Sauté until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
3
Cook Bell Peppers
Stir in bell peppers and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.

Preparing the Spike with Spices

1
Add Spices
Mix in curry powder, paprika, and chili flakes. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
2
Combine Carrots
Add the grated carrots to the pot, combining well with the spices.
3
Add Tomatoes and Paste
Pour in the diced tomatoes and tomato paste, stir well to mix.
Tip: Ensure continuous stirring to prevent sticking. Pro Tip: Add a splash of water if the mixture is too thick.

How to Make Zesty South African Chakalaka

Total time: 2 h · Yields 6 servings

1
Simmer Mixture
Reduce heat and let the mixture simmer for 20 minutes to thicken.
2
Finish with Beans
Stir in the canned baked beans and cook for an additional 10 minutes.