Best South African dinner recipes to spice up your weeknight meals or throw a traditional South African dinner party.

Growing up in South African has made me fall in love with spices from a very young age. The dishes we used to have all had a common trait – they were full of flavor, rich and spicy and incredibly satisfying.

Today I want to share with you all of our favorite South African dinner recipes. From the best South African chicken curry to a South African mutton curry recipe, bobotie, bunny chow and delicious peri peri chicken, these easy dishes will have all of your spice cravings covered.

 

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Looking to throw together a South African dinner party menu?

I love throwing dinner parties and my friends and family always seem to enjoy the traditional South African dishes I cook up.

The dishes below here are perfect for a South African dinner party menu ideas. If you’re only going to be making a few things on this list I recommend:

  • A traditional curry such as Chicken curry or mutton curry with some yellow rice on the side.
  • Bobotie (a lamb casserole that’s always a crowd-pleaser.)

Those 3 dishes are great as simple South African party food. This will assure you don’t need to spend the whole day cooking and can throw a party together quickly.

Finish up with a traditional South African party dessert such as a milk tart (I love this recipe!)

 

 

Traditional South African food recipes you will fall in love with

1. South African Lamb Chops Chutney

This lamb chops chutney recipe is spicy, satisfying and so delicious that it will have you going back for seconds. You need to try this quick and easy lamb loin chop dinner idea for a simple weeknight dinner your whole family will fall in love with! Serve with some garlic bread from sandwich bread.

South African Lamb Chops Chutney -12 Easy South African Dinner recipes that make the perfect comfort foods. These traditional South African food dishes and side dishes are simply too delicious to miss.

Source: Ohclary

 

2. South African Bobotie

This traditional South African food recipes is similar to a baked meatloaf except it’s much spicier. You will love how easy and quick it is to make and served with some yellow rice, it will make a nice and filling dinner for the whole family to enjoy.

Traditional South African Bobotie - Best South African Indian food recipes that are full of flavour, spicy and incredibly satisfying.

Source: Teach Me Mommy

 

3. Bunny Chow

A South African bunny chow was first developed by Indian laborers who used to take this delicious meal to work and used the hollowed out bread loaf as a bowl which you could later consume.

It’s one of those meals that’s not the most figure friendly since you’re essentially eating a half of a loaf of bread but it’s a great treat to occasionally enjoy as a dinner or a lunch.

 Bunny Chow Recipe - 12 Easy South African Dinner recipes that make the perfect comfort foods. These traditional South African food dishes and side dishes are simply too delicious to miss.

Source: The Purple Pumpkin Blog

 

4. South African Mutton Curry Recipe

The Durban mutton curry is one of the best South African Indian food recipes that is full of flavor and tastes great with some rice or roti bread.

It was a tradition in our home to cook up a big pot of mutton curry on a Sunday and enjoy it all week long for lunches and dinners. This is one of those dishes that tastes better on the second and third day after making it.

South African Mutton Curry Recipe -12 Easy South African Dinner recipes that make the perfect comfort foods. These traditional South African food dishes and side dishes are simply too delicious to miss.

Source: Easy Cooking

 

5. Geelrys Yellow Rice

Yellow rice makes the perfect accompaniment to any South African dinner recipes. It can be served with curries, fish, meat, chicken and so much more! Make a big batch of this flavorful geelrys rice and enjoy it with all of your favorite dishes!

Geelrys Yellow Rice -12 Easy South African Dinner recipes that make the perfect comfort foods. These traditional South African food dishes and side dishes are simply too delicious to miss.

Source: Greedy Gourmet

 

6. Pickled Fish With Lime

Pickled fish is a traditional South African food dishes for Easter but it also makes a great weeknight dinner that can be served cold with some fresh bread or boiled potatoes.

Pickled Fish With Lime -12 Easy South African Dinner recipes that make the perfect comfort foods. These traditional South African food dishes and side dishes are simply too delicious to miss.

Source: Habergazeten

 

7. Ground Beef Curry

The curry is one of the favorite food of South Africa and for a good reason – it’s flavorful, easy to make and once you but all of the needed spices, it’s relatively cheap to make.

This ground beef curry aka minced curry recipe is full of aromatic flavors and is a great weeknight dinner idea.

Ground Beef Curry - Best South African Indian food recipes that are full of flavour, spicy and incredibly satisfying. These curry, chutney, mince, and fish dishes make the best authentic and favourite food of South Africa

Source: African Bites

 

8. South African Chicken Curry Recipe

If you’re looking for easy South African dishes, you can’t look past this Durban chicken curry recipe. This hot and spicy curry is full of aromatic flavors that will make you break into a sweat and will make you crave for more.

South African Chicken Curry Recipe - 12 Traditional South African food recipes and easy side dishes that make the perfect weeknight dinners. Find out the best Durban Indian curry recipes and other quick and simple beef, chicken and lamb dishes

Source: Melissa Mayo

 

9. South African Vegetable Relish – Chakalaka

Chakalaka is a traditional South African vegetable relish that tastes amazing served with bread, stews, meat and more. It is also a great accompaniment for braais and so full of flavor it will turn even the most boring dish into a masterpiece.

South African Vegetable Relish - Chakalaka - 12 Traditional South African food recipes and easy side dishes that make the perfect weeknight dinners.

Source: Recipes From A Pantry

 

10. Cape Malay Chicken And Vegetable Curry

One of the best South African chicken curry recipes that’s originated from Cape Town. This chicken and vegetable curry recipe can be made in under an hour and tastes great served with rice or in a roti.

Cape Malay Chicken And Vegetable Curry -12 Traditional South African food recipes and easy side dishes that make the perfect weeknight dinners.

Source: Foodal

 

11. South African Curry and Rice

If you’re looking for a curry that’s full of flavor but not so spicy, you need to give this mince curry and basmati rice combo a try.

South African Curry and Rice -12 Easy South African Dinner recipes that make the perfect comfort foods. These traditional South African food dishes and side dishes are simply too delicious to miss. Try the recipe for the best South African chicken curry and lamb with chutney or an incredibly flavourful South African mutton curry recipe!

Source: Aninas Recipes

 

12. Oven Baked Peri Peri Chicken

And lastly, the most delicious marinated chicken that tastes just like Nando’s. This South African/Portuguese dish is spicy and juicy on the inside and crispy and golden brown on the outside. It is one of the favorite South African dinner recipes in our home.

Oven Baked Peri Peri Chicken -12 Easy South African Dinner recipes that make the perfect comfort foods. These traditional South African food dishes and side dishes are simply too delicious to miss. Try the recipe for the best South African chicken curry and lamb with chutney or an incredibly flavourful South African mutton curry recipe!

Source: Sprinkles and Sprouts

 

There you have it, 12 incredible traditional South African food dishes to enjoy as weeknight or weekend dinners. Hope you loved this list of easy South African dishes and will be trying some of these out for your next dinner party.

Don’t forget to PIN this to your South African Foods Pinterest board for reference!

Which South African Dinner Recipes will you be trying out?

Best South African Indian food recipes that are full of flavour, spicy and incredibly satisfying. These curry, chutney, mince, and fish dishes make the best authentic and favourite food of South Africa. Try a quick and easy recipe today and you won’t be dissappointed!

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About the author, Clary Kingsley I'm a DIY-loving millennial with a passion for cozy home decor and cooking healthy, mouthwatering meals. My adventurous spirit leads me to explore creative ways of making money online, like selling printables and crafts. Join me on this exciting journey as I share my enthusiasm and zest for life!