5 African Recipes You Must Try

A list of irresistible recipes to try from Africa

By
Freda Muyambo
Freda Muyambo
Freda Muyambo
Celebrated food writer and blogger focusing on African cuisine. She has published recipes since 2011 on her blog My Burnt Orange.
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Updated on 02/17/23
Beef bobotie recipe

The Spruce

Africa, as we know it, is such a diverse region and its food has so much potential; yet is still largely unknown. Hopefully with the internet world burgeoning with African bloggers, the landscape is changing fast. This is awesome!

  • 01 of 05

    Bobotie

    Beef bobotie recipe

    The Spruce / Ali Redmond

     This curried mince ensemble is the national dish of South Africa. It is sweet as the result of fruit jam or chutney and raisins, aromatic and spicy. It is usually served with a yellow spicy rice, however this would go very well with pasta or potatoes.

  • 02 of 05

    Doro Wat

    Ethiopian doro wat recipe

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

     You are cooking a what? Actually, to be precise, it is a wat. A wat is an Ethiopian onion and berbere spice based stew. In Eritrea, this dish is known as tsebhi dorho.

  • 03 of 05

    Sadza

    Sadza ne nyama
    Sadza pap with oxtail stew. F. Muyambo

     Sadza is an African staple eaten throughout Africa. It may be known by other names such as ugali, nshima, pap and phaleche amongst other names. However, what makes this the king of meals is the stew, sauce or soup that is served alongside it. It is normally paired with meat and gravy or a stew, and collard greens or spinach relish. Pictured is sadza, oxtail stew and wilted spinach, and eating with your hands is a finger licking must try experience.

  • 04 of 05

    Chermoula

    Chermoula recipe

    The Spruce

    Chermoula is a Moroccan paste or marinade used in cooking fish, chicken or meat dishes. Follow the link to try an easy fish dish using chermoula paste.

    Continue to 5 of 5 below.
  • 05 of 05

    Pilau Recipe

    Tanzanian Pilau Rice Recipe

    The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

     Pilau rice is the fragrantly amazing East African rice with Indian influence through the spices. Through centuries of trade with the East, pilau has become a traditional Tanzanian and Zanzibari dish of choice.

You Will Not Be Disappointed!

There are many more other dishes to try from Africa. This list covers the most popular or most prominent national dishes. They are worth trying and will not disappoint.