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Sukuma Wiki | African Braised Collard Greens

Sukuma Wiki – A perfect addition to a nice lunch or a cozy dinner. Delicious, quick, and healthy! It requires few ingredients, little effort, short cook time, and a delicious outcome! This is how one should be introduced to collard greens or kale.

SUKUMA WIKI

Sukuma wiki is a nutritious and tasty vegetable dish that can accompany various meals. 

This is one of Tanzanians and Kenyans staple vegetables. It’s basically braised greens and it’s made with kale or collard greens, onions, tomatoes, and spices.

Sukuma wiki is an inexpensive meal and in East Africa, it’s used to stretch out meals, so it lasts all through the week hence the name ”sukuma wiki” which means ”push through the week”.

Traditionally, it is served with ugali/sadza, roasted meat, or fish, but I love to serve it over rice as well.

Sukuma wiki served with Sadza

INGREDIENTS FOR MAKING SUKUMA WIKI

  • Oil – use one with a neutral taste and high smoking point.
  • Chopped tomatoes – I like to use fresh, but canned will also work
  • kale or collard greens – I always go for the fresh ones. Though the frozen ones will work, but it’s always better with fresh.
  • Salt to taste and bouillon cube – Flavor!!
  • Onion – must!!
  • Garlic – Optional
  • Beef – Optional
  • Chili pepper – for a bit of heat -totally optional

HOW TO MAKE SUKUMA WIKI

  • To prep the collard greens, wash, pat dry, cut up the thick stems, remove ribs and chop the leaves into desired sizes. 
  • As with most relish, sukuma wiki starts with onions finely sliced and sweated with salt and black pepper.
  • Brown the meat and cook till done. If you are vegetarian, you can leave the meat out entirely. Don’t worry; your relish will still turn out delish! 
  • Fry the diced tomatoes or paste pretty well as you want the mixture dry before adding the collard greens or kale.
  • Once you have added the collard greens or kale feel free to cook to your desired crunchiness or softness whichever way you like it.

Notes:

I made this recipe with meat, but you can leave the meat out entirely if you are a vegetarian. Trust me, it will still be just as delicious.

other delicious greens you may like:

Sukuma Wiki served in a bowl

Sukuma Wiki

Sukuma Wiki – A perfect addition to a nice lunch or a cozy dinner. Delicious, quick, and healthy! It requires few ingredients, little effort, short cook time, and a delicious outcome! This is how one should be introduced to collard greens or kale.
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main
Cuisine: African
Keyword: Collard greens, kale
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 541kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 1 onion diced
  • 1.5 lb beef
  • 2 tomatoes medium-sized
  • salt to taste
  • 1 beef bouillon cube or chicken
  • 8 cups collard greens chopped or kale

Instructions

  • Get the oil preheated in the pan
  • Add the diced onions and cook till golden brown about 5 minutes
  • Add the beef and season with salt and bouillon cube. Stir well and cook till tender
  • Add tomatoes and leave to cook for about 3 minutes or till the tomatoes become
  • Stir in the collard greens or kale and cook till the leaves become tender.

Nutrition

Calories: 541kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 121mg | Sodium: 370mg | Potassium: 799mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 4126IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 210mg | Iron: 4mg

Let’s Connect! You can find me on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. I love keeping in touch with all of you! and if you make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @cheflolaskitchen ❤❤❤

5 from 5 votes (4 ratings without comment)
Recipe Rating




Jeremy

Wednesday 3rd of July 2024

Hello! I am just a home cook who loves trying different recipes. I have a friend from Sierra Leone that I have started cooking for. I have have learned so much from your page, thank you! Him and his wife can’t believe some of the African dishes I have completed and it feels great to give him a piece of home. I’ve made so many dishes and I use a lot of the recipes from your page. This is one I will be trying next! Much love!

Chef Lola's Kitchen

Tuesday 16th of July 2024

Thank you so much, Jeremy. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.❤️

Thursday 4th of January 2024

it is SO GOOD and easy to make. I've made it twice, first with my brother then by myself and both times it turned out amazing. I highly recommend that everyone tried this atleast once in their lives.

Chef Lola's Kitchen

Friday 12th of January 2024

It's surely taste great.👍

Lola Osinkolu

Sunday 4th of October 2020

thank you

Rahul

Saturday 19th of September 2020

We love green leafy vegetable. This is such an amazing recipe with few ingredients. I never used beef bouillon cube. I am gonna try

Lola Osinkolu

Saturday 10th of October 2020

I'm sure you will love it! :)

Liz

Tuesday 15th of September 2020

Ooh, this combination looks delicious! What a wonderful way to be introduced to collard greens!

Lola Osinkolu

Thursday 22nd of October 2020

Yes, you can say that again, this dish is so delicious.