African food is so diverse, spanning many different cultures from north to south, east to west. But whatever the part of the continent, there is always something delicious to eat.
To help you create these amazing flavors in your own kitchen, we’ve compiled this list of African Recipes from GypsyPlate and around the internet.
From their hearty soups and stews, roasted and grilled meats, rice preparations, vegetable dishes and more, you’ll find it all here.
Try cooking all of these great African dishes… you’re going to love these flavors!
The Best African Recipes:
1. Beef Tagine (Moroccan Beef Stew)
This one is extra special… Beef Tagine is an alluring labor of love that takes hours to slowly cook and simmer. It’s not your regular stew by any standard.
Brimming with sweet and savory flavors, it’s super fragrant as soon as you start making it. Thanks to all the earthy exotic spices, this stew takes on some amazing flavors from the exotic land called Morocco.
2. South African Chakalaka
Chakalaka is a South African vegetable staple that normally accompanies their meats and seafood.
It is often featured in get togethers like their Braais (South African barbecues or cookouts) and celebration times.
3. Maafe (Senegalese Peanut Stew)
This West African peanut stew, Maafe (or Mafe), is loaded with rich savory flavors. Any meat of your choice goes great in this perfectly spiced peanut butter and tomato based sauce.
4. Zaalouk (Moroccan Eggplant Dip)
Zaalouk is an amazingly delicious eggplant dish out of Morocco. It’s typically used as a dip or salad, but once you taste it you’ll want to eat it with everything!
This is one of those dishes with just a few humble ingredients that somehow come together to create magic.
5. Kedjenou Chicken (Ivory Coast Stew)
The Ivory Coast is one spicy country, proud of its chili tolerance! This kedjenou chicken stew is cooked “undisturbed” low and slow in its own juices along with plenty of vegetables, some hot peppers, the goodness of thyme and the smokiness of paprika.
End result? Saucy… Bold… Delicious!
6. Moroccan Lentil Soup
Give your regular lentils an exotic makeover with this delectable soup. The warm and flavorful combination of Moroccan spices will forever change your idea of a bowl of lentils.
7. Chicken Jollof Rice
This colorful and tasty one pot rice dish is a West African classic. Boldly flavorful, it’s a special treat.
This version has chicken for the perfect one skillet meal.
8. South African Chicken Curry
This South African Chicken Curry doesn’t even come close to anything you’ve known before. It’s a completely different flavor, yet so delectable!
This one is mild and sweet, albeit with loads of curry powder, reminding you of that curry flavor every single bite.
9. Harissa (North African Chili Paste)
Are you ready to add some serious flavor to your table? Then you need to try Harissa!
This paste is a simple preparation of peppers, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice and some other flavor enhancers. Give this one a try, we were blown away by the flavors!
10. Harissa Chicken
Harissa Chicken is a hugely flavorful dish using my new favorite flavor bomb, North African harissa.
This recipe is a one pot wonder with chicken, potatoes, carrots and chickpeas, and it takes only a few minutes of your hands on time.
If you love big flavors, put harissa chicken on this week’s menu!
11. North African Chermoula
Chermoula, also known as charmoula, comes from North Africa. Traditionally, it’s a mix of fresh herbs, aromatics and spices bound together with lemon juice and extra-virgin olive oil.
I like to think of it as an African version of chimichurri.
12. Shakshuka
Shakshuka is a gorgeous looking dish of eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, peppers and garlic commonly spiced with cumin, paprika and cayenne pepper.
Although this dish originates in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions, it has migrated to north African countries like Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia.
13. Harira
Harira is a traditional Moroccan soup of tomatoes, lentils and chickpeas. Full of warm flavors, it’s a real comfort food.
Wonderfully fragrant with zesty seasoning, it often ranks high on lists of must try North African foods.
Get the Recipe @ themediterraneandish
14. Egyptian Koshari
Koshari is one of the national dishes of Egypt, and is beloved at home and as a street food.
It features lentils, rice, vermicelli, chickpeas, tomato sauce, cumin sauce and savory crispy onions. Although it has a long list of components, it doesn’t take much hands on time.
15. Doro Wat – Ethiopian Chicken Stew
Doro Wat, an Ethiopian chicken stew, is one of the most famous African dishes, and for a good reason.
Doro Wat is flavor packed with tender cooked chicken in a fiery berbere spiced sauce, topped with boiled eggs. It’s a popular dish in restaurants, but you should try it in your own home.
Get the Recipe @ cheflolaskitchen
16. Githeri
This Kenyan corn and bean soup is a tasty and nutritious meal in a bowl. It only takes about 15 minutes of hands on time, then simmers on it’s own to perfection.
Get the Recipe @ cheapskatecook
17. Injera – Ethiopian Flatbread
If you’ve visited an Ethiopian restaurant, you know their famous flatbread, injera. It has a unique spongy texture, perfect for soaking up stews.
Even if you don’t have the traditional teff flour, this recipe gives you substitutions.
18. Beef Suya
Beef Suya is a popular street food in Nigeria. These beef skewers are generously seasoned with a crushed peanut and spice mixture.
Try them at your next cookout!
19. West African Fufu
Fufu is an African staple made of starchy foods like cassava or plantains, that is served along with soups and stews.
Shaped into balls, it is used to scoop up the stews. Interestingly, it is known as a “swallow food”, meaning it is not to be chewed before swallowing.
Get the Recipe @ cheflolaskitchen
20. South African Bobotie
Bobotie is a traditional meat casserole, and is one of the most delicious African recipes.
A classic dish from South Africa, Bobotie is made with meat (in this case, venison) that is well seasoned and topped with a creamy egg topping.
21. African Beef Stew
This recipe is a popular stew from West Africa. It is a homestyle dish that is often eaten with rice or boiled yams.
The next time you crave comfort food, try this amazing slow cooked African Beef Stew.
Get the Recipe @ lowcarbafrica
22. Asun (Spicy Roast Goat)
Asun, meaning smoked, is a popular dish at get togethers in Nigeria.
This recipe is tasty goat meat cooked with a variety of veggies, seasonings and fiery scotch bonnet peppers. It’s got a lot of kick, so this is for the spice lovers.
23. Sosaties (South African Lamb and Apricot Kebabs)
Sosaties are tender lamb skewers that are grilled to perfection with a spicy curry and apricot marinade.
Your friends and family will enjoy these African flavors at your next cookout.
Get the Recipe @ carolinescooking
24. Efo Riro – Nigerian Spinach Stew
This Efo Riro is a delicious, savory African stew made with spinach, and it is so wonderful.
In addition to spinach, the recipe has other veggies, meat, seafood and plenty of seasonings. This is one tasty dish, and one you’ll want to come back to.
25. Cameroonian Sese Plantains
Cameroonian Sese Plantains is a popular West African dish with flavors from plantains, meat, seafood, spices and seasonings.
It’s a hearty one pot dish that is full of various nutrients. This dish is also referred to as porridge plantains.
26. African Grilled Chicken (Kati Kati)
Are you ready for a great new chicken recipe? This African Grilled Chicken, or Kati Kati, is it!
Hailing from the Northwest corner of Cameroon, it’s a popular and super tasty chicken recipe you should definitely try the next time you fire up the grill!
27. African Meat Pie (Beef Empanada)
Empanadas are usually associated with Latin cuisine, but they are also very popular in Africa.
The meat filling is super tasty. Plus, they are baked rather than fried, so are healthier than usual.
28. African Fish Stew
This Nigerian inspired African fish stew is spicy and fragrant, yet at the same time so simple.
It’s a cozy comfort meal that goes great with rice.
Get the Recipe @ lowcarbafrica
29. Potjiekos (South African Hodgepodge Stew)
This Potjiekos, meaning “small pot food”, is an absolutely delicious traditional South African Hodgepodge dish which has flavorful ingredients like meat, vegetables and spices.
Get the Recipe @ thedomesticman
30. Bunny Chow
Bunny Chow is a South African street food consisting of curry served in a hollowed out loaf of bread.
This cool recipe is most associated with Durban. This Bunny Chow is a super unique dish, which will be loved by all.
31. Misir Wot (Ethiopian Lentils)
Misir Wot, or Ethiopian lentils, is a hearty and nutritious meatless meal. Made with red lentils and a bright combination of exotic spices, this is a simple and delicious recipe.
It’s great by itself, and even better with injera bread.
Get the Recipe @ aspicyperspective
32. Chicken Yassa
If you’re an onion eater, this Senegelese dish is for you.
Chicken Yassa is a hearty and exotic stew with lots of onions and other flavor enhancers like vinegar, mustard, ginger, garlic, lemon and more.
Get the Recipe @ cheflolaskitchen
33. West African Fried Plantains
Fried Plantains are a popular side dish in many parts of the world. These West African fried plantains are crispy outside and sweet inside.
Try these simple and easy to make fried plantains and you’ll want them again and again.
Get the Recipe @ themidwestkitchenblog
34. Matoke With Beans
Matoke With Beans is a simple, healthy and delicious East African dish made from green bananas.
This one pot recipe can be eaten for lunch or dinner, and you can serve it in so many ways.
35. Cape Malay Chicken Curry
This Cape Malay Chicken Curry recipe is a delicious tomato based curry with an assortment of spices.
It is much more similar to an Indian curry than the other South African curry on this list.
Get the Recipe @ beyondkimchee
So many great African recipes to cook. They all look so good, which to cook first?
Check out these other recipe collections!
Latin Recipes
Caribbean Recipes
Mexican Recipes
American Recipes
Puerto Rican Recipes
French Recipes
Asian Recipes
Thai Recipes
Filipino Recipes
35 BEST African Foods
This great collection of tasty and easy African Recipes will satisfy your cravings without a trip to the restaurant! We love this hearty curry:
Ingredients
- 6 chicken thighs
- 2 Tbsp curry powder
- 2 Tbsp flour
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp black pepper powder
- ½ cup apricot jam
- 2 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 Tbsp mustard
- 1.5 cup water
- 2 Tbsp chopped garlic
- 1 onion, sliced into rings
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 8oz mushrooms, halved
- 3 Tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Mix curry powder, flour, brown sugar and black pepper in a bowl.
- In another bowl, mix apricot jam with vinegar, mustard and water and stir together until nicely combined.
- Heat oil in an wide bottom pan. Salt and pepper both sides of chicken, add to heated oil and brown on both sides. Remove to plate and set aside.
- In the same pan, sauté onion rings until transluscent, then add garlicand stir for a few seconds. Be sure to scrape up the good brown things left from thechicken, this imparts nice flavors to your curry. Add mushrooms and peppers, stir for few minutes.
- Return chicken thighs to pan. Mix in your powder blend. Coat the chicken and veggies well with the powder.
- Add your apricot preserve blend and stir it for few minutes. Cover and simmer until chicken is done, occasionally checking and stirring. Add more water if necessary or according to your desried consistency.
- Serve it over a plate of hot rice.
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Thank you for explaining about sosaties. I’ve been thinking about branching out in our cuisine and trying some food from other countries. This seems like it could be a good thing to start out with.
Love this list! I’m going to try a few of these recipes!