Chakalaka (South African Spicy Vegetable Relish)

Name: Chakalaka (South African Spicy Vegetable Relish)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: South Africa
Ingredients: 2 tbsp oil; 1 onion, chopped; 2 carrots, grated; 1 red bell pepper, sliced; 2 tomatoes, chopped; 1 can baked beans; 1 tbsp curry powder; 1-2 chilies, minced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; Salt to taste

Chakalaka (South African Spicy Vegetable Relish) photo 1

6 servings15 min prep25 min cookEasy South Africa

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Chakalaka (South African Spicy Vegetable Relish)

Story updated September 17, 2026

Chakalaka, a spicy relish of tomatoes, onions, and beans, is said to have originated in the gold-mining townships around Johannesburg, where Mozambican mineworkers cooked tinned vegetables with chili after their shifts. Its Zulu name roughly means "put it all together," and it's now a fixture of South African braais, served alongside pap and grilled meat.

Ingredients

Scale:· 6 servings

2 tbsp oil
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, grated
1 red bell pepper, sliced
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 can baked beans
1 tbsp curry powder
1-2 chilies, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt to taste

Instructions

1Heat oil in a pan and sauté the onion and garlic until soft.
2Add curry powder and chilies and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
3Add carrots and bell pepper and cook 5 minutes until slightly softened but still crisp.
4Stir in tomatoes and cook until they break down, about 8 minutes.
5Add the baked beans and simmer 5-8 minutes until heated through and slightly thickened.
6Season with salt and serve warm or at room temperature as a side.

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