Main Course · Dinner · African ·

Vibrant South African Bunny Chow with Spicy Beans

Name: Vibrant South African Bunny Chow with Spicy Beans
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Dried beans, 2 cups, soaked overnight; Onion, 1 cup, finely chopped; Garlic, 2 cloves, minced; Ginger, 1 tablespoon, grated; Curry powder, 2 tablespoons; Tomatoes, 1 cup, chopped; Vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons; Salt and pepper, To taste; White bread loaves, 2 large, unsliced; Butter, 1 tablespoon, melted; Cumin seeds, 1 teaspoon; Coriander seeds, 1 teaspoon; Turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon; Fresh cilantro, 1 tablespoon, chopped; Fresh mint, 1 tablespoon, chopped

Bunny Chow is a famous South African street food dish that consists of a hollowed-out bread loaf filled with spicy beans. It’s an explosion of flavors and spices perfect for any occasion.

4.8(257 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·January 17, 2026

Vibrant South African Bunny Chow with Spicy Beans — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Spicy Beans

For the Bread Loaf

For the Spice Mix

For the Garnish

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 730 kcal
Protein: 26.5 g
Carbs: 119 g
Fat: 15.5 g
Fiber: 13.75 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2918 kcal
Protein: 106 g
Carbs: 476 g
Fat: 62 g
Fiber: 55 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Dried beans 2 cups, soaked overnight	600	40	110	2	35
Onion 1 cup, finely chopped	64	2	15	0	3
Garlic 2 cloves, minced	9	0	2	0	0
Ginger 1 tablespoon, grated	6	0	1	0	0
Curry powder 2 tablespoons	42	2	8	2	4
Tomatoes 1 cup, chopped	32	2	7	0	2
Vegetable oil 2 tablespoons	240	0	0	28	0
Salt and pepper To taste	0	0	0	0	0
White bread loaves 2 large, unsliced	1800	60	330	18	10
Butter 1 tablespoon, melted	102	0	0	12	0
Cumin seeds 1 teaspoon	8	0	1	0	0
Coriander seeds 1 teaspoon	5	0	1	0	1
Turmeric powder 1 teaspoon	8	0	1	0	0
Fresh cilantro 1 tablespoon, chopped	1	0	0	0	0
Fresh mint 1 tablespoon, chopped	1	0	0	0	0

These estimates are based on typical values and should not be used for dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Beans

1
Drain and Rinse Beans
Drain the soaked beans and rinse under cold water.
Tip: Do not skip the step of soaking beans overnight for the best texture.
2
Combine with Curry Powder
In a large bowl, combine beans with curry powder.
3
Marinate
Let them marinate for 30 minutes.
Tip: Add a squeeze of lemon to the beans while marinating for extra zest.

Preparing the Spice Mix

1
Toast Seeds
Toast the cumin and coriander seeds in a dry skillet until aromatic.
2
Crush Seeds
Crush the toasted seeds in a mortar and pestle.
3
Mix with Turmeric
Mix the ground seeds with turmeric powder.

How to Make Vibrant South African Bunny Chow with Spicy Beans

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Cook Beans
In a large pot, heat vegetable oil and sauté onions, garlic, and ginger until soft. Add tomatoes and spice mix. Stir in the marinated beans. Cover and simmer until beans are tender.
2
Prepare Bread
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Hollow out the bread loaves, leaving a thick shell. Brush insides with melted butter and bake until slightly crispy.
3
Assemble Bunny Chow
Fill the hollowed bread loaves with the spicy beans mixture and garnish with cilantro and mint.