FabulousFusionFood's South African recipes Home Page
The flag of South Africa (left)and the Coat of Arms (right).
Welcome to the summary page for FabulousFusionFood's South African recipes, part of the African Continent. This page provides links to all the South African recipes presented on this site, with 161 recipes in total.
South Africa as a nation comprises more that 47 million people of diverse ethnic backgrounds. Here you will find all the recipes from South Africa on this site all gathered into one place. I have attempted to gather together here as many South African recipes as possible. The current collection represents the largest gathering of South African recipes (both modern and traditional) into one place on the web today.
South Africa, officially: The Republic of South Africa (Afrikaans: Die Republiek van Suid-Afrika) is the southernmost country on the African continent. South Africa attained independence from Britain on May 31st 1910 and became a republic on May 31st 1961. Racial strife between the white minority and the black majority has played a large part in South Africa's history and politics, culminating in apartheid, which was instituted in 1948 by the National Party (although segregation existed before that time). The laws that defined apartheid began to be repealed or abolished by the National Party in 1990, after a long and sometimes violent struggle (including economic sanctions from the international community) by the Black majority as well as many White, Coloured, and Indian South Africans. South Africa's largest city is Johannesburg (Jo'burg), it's executive capital is Pretoria, judicial capital Bloemfontein and legislative capital, Cape Town.
The image above shows South Africa (red) in relation to Africa (left) and Southern Africa (right).South Africa is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by 2,798 kilometres (1,739 mi) of coastline that stretches along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans;[14][15][16] to the north by the neighbouring countries of Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe; and to the east and northeast by Mozambique and Eswatini. It also completely enclaves the country Lesotho.[17] It is the southernmost country on the mainland of the Old World, and the second-most populous country located entirely south of the equator, after Tanzania. South Africa is a biodiversity hotspot, with unique biomes, plant and animal life. With over 62 million people, the country is the world's 23rd-most populous nation and covers an area of 1,221,037 square kilometres.
About 80% of the population are Black South Africans.[6] The remaining population consists of Africa's largest communities of European (White South Africans), Asian (Indian South Africans and Chinese South Africans), and multiracial (Coloured South Africans) ancestry. South Africa is a multiethnic society encompassing a wide variety of cultures, languages, and religions. Its pluralistic makeup is reflected in the constitution's recognition of 12 official languages, the fourth-highest number in the world.[16] According to the 2011 census, the two most spoken first languages are Zulu (22.7%) and Xhosa (16.0%).[19] The next two are of European origin: Afrikaans (13.5%) developed from Dutch and serves as the first language of most Coloured and White South Africans; English (9.6%) is commonly used in public and commercial life, both reflect the legacy of Dutch and British colonialism, respectively.
Major ethnic groups include the Zulu, Xhosa, Basotho (South Sotho), Bapedi (North Sotho), Venda, Tswana, Tsonga, Swazi and Ndebele, all of which speak Bantu languages. Christians account for 79.7% of the population. This includes Zion Christian 11.1%, Pentecostal (Charismatic) 8.2%, Catholic 7.1%, Methodist 6.8%, Dutch Reformed 6.7%, Anglican 3.8%, and other Christian 36%. Islam accounted for 1.5% of the population, Hinduism about 1.3%. 15.1% had no religious affiliation, 2.3% were other and 1.4% were unspecified. South Africa has eleven official languages: Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa and isiZulu. In this regard it is second only to India in number of recognized official languages. While each language is technically equal to every other, some languages are spoken more than others.
The World Bank ranks South Africa as an upper-middle income economy and the country's economy is the largest in Africa and the 28th largest in the world. It is considered a newly-industrialised country. As the Union of South Africa, the country was a founding member of the United Nations. The then Prime Minister Jan Smuts wrote the preamble to the United Nations Charter. South Africa is also a found ing member of the African Union (AU) and has played a key role as a mediator in African conflicts over the past decade. In April 2011, South Africa formally joined the Brazil-Russia-India-China (BRICS) grouping of countries. After apartheid ended, South Africa was readmitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. The country is a member of the Group of 77 and chaired the organisation in 2006. South Africa is also a member of the Southern African Development Community, South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone, Southern African Customs Union, Antarctic Treaty System, World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund, G20 and G8+5. South Africa is a middle power (regional superpower) in international affairs; it maintains significant regional influence. Since the end of apartheid, government accountability and quality of life have substantially improved.[28] However, crime, poverty and inequality remain widespread, with about 40% of the total population being unemployed as of 2021,[29] while some 60% of the population lived under the poverty line and a quarter under $2.15 a day.
The name 'South Africa' is derived from the country's geographic location at the southern tip of Africa. Upon formation, the country was named the Union of South Africa in English and Unie van Zuid-Afrika in Dutch, reflecting its origin from the unification of four British colonies. Since 1961, the long formal name in English has been the 'Republic of South Africa' and Republiek van Suid-Afrika in Afrikaans. The country has an official name in 12 official languages.
Mzansi, derived from the Xhosa noun uMzantsi meaning 'south', is a colloquial name for South Africa,[35][36] while some Pan-Africanist political parties prefer the term 'Azania'.
South Africa contains some of the oldest archaeological and human-fossil sites in the world. Settlements of Bantu-speaking peoples, who were iron-using agriculturists and herdsmen, were present south of the Limpopo River (now the northern border with Botswana and Zimbabwe) by the 4th or 5th century CE. They displaced, conquered, and absorbed the original Khoisan, Khoikhoi and San peoples. The Bantu slowly moved south. The earliest ironworks in modern-day KwaZulu-Natal Province are believed to date from around 1050. The southernmost group was the Xhosa people, whose language incorporates certain linguistic traits from the earlier Khoisan people. The Xhosa reached the Great Fish River, in today's Eastern Cape Province. As they migrated, these larger Iron Age populations displaced or assimilated earlier peoples. In the 1480s Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias circumnavigated the Cape, but did not land in South Africa. In 1652, a century and a half after the discovery of the cape sea route, Jan van Riebeeck established a victualling station at the Cape of Good Hope, at what would become Cape Town, on behalf of the Dutch East India Company.[52][53] In time, the cape became home to a large population of vrijlieden, also known as vrijburgers (lit. 'free citizens'), former company employees who stayed in Dutch territories overseas after serving their contracts.[53] Dutch traders also brought thousands of enslaved people to the fledgling colony from Indonesia, Madagascar, and parts of eastern Africa. Great Britain occupied Cape Town between 1795 and 1803 to prevent it from falling under the control of the French First Republic, which had invaded the Low Countries.[56] After briefly returning to Dutch rule under the Batavian Republic in 1803, the cape was occupied again by the British in 1806. Following the end of the Napoleonic Wars, it was formally ceded to Great Britain and became an integral part of the British Empire. British emigration to South Africa began around 1818, subsequently culminating in the arrival of the 1820 Settlers.[58] The new colonists were induced to settle for a variety of reasons, namely to increase the size of the European workforce and to bolster frontier regions against Xhosa incursions.
In the first two decades of the 19th century, the Zulu people grew in power and expanded their territory under their leader, Shaka.[59] Shaka's warfare indirectly led to the Mfecane ('crushing'), in which one to two million people were killed and the inland plateau was devastated and depopulated in the early 1820s. An offshoot of the Zulu, the Matabele people created a larger empire that included large parts of the highveld under their king Mzilikazi.
During the early 19th century, many Dutch settlers departed from the Cape Colony, where they had been subjected to British control, in a series of migrant groups who came to be known as Voortrekkers, meaning 'pathfinders' or 'pioneers'. They migrated to the future Natal, Free State, and Transvaal regions. The Boers founded the Boer republics: the South African Republic, the Natalia Republic, and the Orange Free State. This led, almost inevitably to the Zulu wars, and then the Boer wars, bringing South Africa under British control.
South Africa truly is a melting pot of cuisine styles, mixing African, European and Asian peoples, cuisines and cooking styles. Game plays an important part in the diet, especially in the traditional braai (South African barbecue) as does fish (both saltwater and freshwater). The basis of South African cookery is a starchy staple and meat. The Eastern part of the country enjoys Malay-influenced spicy stews as well as Indian-derived curries and the Southern part of the country is famous for its seafood. French immigrants have also led to extensive wine production in the country and South Africa is one of the world's great wine exporters.
Though many of the dishes associated with South Africa, such as braais and potjies (one-pot stews) have a distinctive Dutch and Afrikaans influence, the diversity of cultures in this country makes it difficult to pin down a truly distinctive form of cuisine. Indeed, what distinguishes South African cookery is the melange of styles and recipes derived from different cultures. One notable aspect of South African cookery, however, is the propensity of desserts in the country due to the European influences. The dish most commonly accepted as South Africa's national dish is the bobotie, a curried meatloaf with a custard topping.
Another distinctive influence, especially in the Cape region comes from the Malay community and many Malay-influenced curries and rice dishes are prepared. The British introduced many pickles and preserves as well as fish and chips (though this is served with a distinctive South African twist) as well as a number of cakes and desserts.
South Africa has also developed into a major wine producer, with some of the best vineyards lying in valleys around Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl and Barrydale.
The recipes presented below attempt to collect recipes from South Africa's native and colonial past, as well as showing the breadth and diversity of modern South African cookery.
South Africa as a nation comprises more that 47 million people of diverse ethnic backgrounds. Here you will find all the recipes from South Africa on this site all gathered into one place. I have attempted to gather together here as many South African recipes as possible. The current collection represents the largest gathering of South African recipes (both modern and traditional) into one place on the web today.
South Africa, officially: The Republic of South Africa (Afrikaans: Die Republiek van Suid-Afrika) is the southernmost country on the African continent. South Africa attained independence from Britain on May 31st 1910 and became a republic on May 31st 1961. Racial strife between the white minority and the black majority has played a large part in South Africa's history and politics, culminating in apartheid, which was instituted in 1948 by the National Party (although segregation existed before that time). The laws that defined apartheid began to be repealed or abolished by the National Party in 1990, after a long and sometimes violent struggle (including economic sanctions from the international community) by the Black majority as well as many White, Coloured, and Indian South Africans. South Africa's largest city is Johannesburg (Jo'burg), it's executive capital is Pretoria, judicial capital Bloemfontein and legislative capital, Cape Town.
The image above shows South Africa (red) in relation to Africa (left) and Southern Africa (right).About 80% of the population are Black South Africans.[6] The remaining population consists of Africa's largest communities of European (White South Africans), Asian (Indian South Africans and Chinese South Africans), and multiracial (Coloured South Africans) ancestry. South Africa is a multiethnic society encompassing a wide variety of cultures, languages, and religions. Its pluralistic makeup is reflected in the constitution's recognition of 12 official languages, the fourth-highest number in the world.[16] According to the 2011 census, the two most spoken first languages are Zulu (22.7%) and Xhosa (16.0%).[19] The next two are of European origin: Afrikaans (13.5%) developed from Dutch and serves as the first language of most Coloured and White South Africans; English (9.6%) is commonly used in public and commercial life, both reflect the legacy of Dutch and British colonialism, respectively.
Major ethnic groups include the Zulu, Xhosa, Basotho (South Sotho), Bapedi (North Sotho), Venda, Tswana, Tsonga, Swazi and Ndebele, all of which speak Bantu languages. Christians account for 79.7% of the population. This includes Zion Christian 11.1%, Pentecostal (Charismatic) 8.2%, Catholic 7.1%, Methodist 6.8%, Dutch Reformed 6.7%, Anglican 3.8%, and other Christian 36%. Islam accounted for 1.5% of the population, Hinduism about 1.3%. 15.1% had no religious affiliation, 2.3% were other and 1.4% were unspecified. South Africa has eleven official languages: Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa and isiZulu. In this regard it is second only to India in number of recognized official languages. While each language is technically equal to every other, some languages are spoken more than others.
The World Bank ranks South Africa as an upper-middle income economy and the country's economy is the largest in Africa and the 28th largest in the world. It is considered a newly-industrialised country. As the Union of South Africa, the country was a founding member of the United Nations. The then Prime Minister Jan Smuts wrote the preamble to the United Nations Charter. South Africa is also a found ing member of the African Union (AU) and has played a key role as a mediator in African conflicts over the past decade. In April 2011, South Africa formally joined the Brazil-Russia-India-China (BRICS) grouping of countries. After apartheid ended, South Africa was readmitted to the Commonwealth of Nations. The country is a member of the Group of 77 and chaired the organisation in 2006. South Africa is also a member of the Southern African Development Community, South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone, Southern African Customs Union, Antarctic Treaty System, World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund, G20 and G8+5. South Africa is a middle power (regional superpower) in international affairs; it maintains significant regional influence. Since the end of apartheid, government accountability and quality of life have substantially improved.[28] However, crime, poverty and inequality remain widespread, with about 40% of the total population being unemployed as of 2021,[29] while some 60% of the population lived under the poverty line and a quarter under $2.15 a day.
The name 'South Africa' is derived from the country's geographic location at the southern tip of Africa. Upon formation, the country was named the Union of South Africa in English and Unie van Zuid-Afrika in Dutch, reflecting its origin from the unification of four British colonies. Since 1961, the long formal name in English has been the 'Republic of South Africa' and Republiek van Suid-Afrika in Afrikaans. The country has an official name in 12 official languages.
Mzansi, derived from the Xhosa noun uMzantsi meaning 'south', is a colloquial name for South Africa,[35][36] while some Pan-Africanist political parties prefer the term 'Azania'.
South Africa contains some of the oldest archaeological and human-fossil sites in the world. Settlements of Bantu-speaking peoples, who were iron-using agriculturists and herdsmen, were present south of the Limpopo River (now the northern border with Botswana and Zimbabwe) by the 4th or 5th century CE. They displaced, conquered, and absorbed the original Khoisan, Khoikhoi and San peoples. The Bantu slowly moved south. The earliest ironworks in modern-day KwaZulu-Natal Province are believed to date from around 1050. The southernmost group was the Xhosa people, whose language incorporates certain linguistic traits from the earlier Khoisan people. The Xhosa reached the Great Fish River, in today's Eastern Cape Province. As they migrated, these larger Iron Age populations displaced or assimilated earlier peoples. In the 1480s Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias circumnavigated the Cape, but did not land in South Africa. In 1652, a century and a half after the discovery of the cape sea route, Jan van Riebeeck established a victualling station at the Cape of Good Hope, at what would become Cape Town, on behalf of the Dutch East India Company.[52][53] In time, the cape became home to a large population of vrijlieden, also known as vrijburgers (lit. 'free citizens'), former company employees who stayed in Dutch territories overseas after serving their contracts.[53] Dutch traders also brought thousands of enslaved people to the fledgling colony from Indonesia, Madagascar, and parts of eastern Africa. Great Britain occupied Cape Town between 1795 and 1803 to prevent it from falling under the control of the French First Republic, which had invaded the Low Countries.[56] After briefly returning to Dutch rule under the Batavian Republic in 1803, the cape was occupied again by the British in 1806. Following the end of the Napoleonic Wars, it was formally ceded to Great Britain and became an integral part of the British Empire. British emigration to South Africa began around 1818, subsequently culminating in the arrival of the 1820 Settlers.[58] The new colonists were induced to settle for a variety of reasons, namely to increase the size of the European workforce and to bolster frontier regions against Xhosa incursions.
In the first two decades of the 19th century, the Zulu people grew in power and expanded their territory under their leader, Shaka.[59] Shaka's warfare indirectly led to the Mfecane ('crushing'), in which one to two million people were killed and the inland plateau was devastated and depopulated in the early 1820s. An offshoot of the Zulu, the Matabele people created a larger empire that included large parts of the highveld under their king Mzilikazi.
During the early 19th century, many Dutch settlers departed from the Cape Colony, where they had been subjected to British control, in a series of migrant groups who came to be known as Voortrekkers, meaning 'pathfinders' or 'pioneers'. They migrated to the future Natal, Free State, and Transvaal regions. The Boers founded the Boer republics: the South African Republic, the Natalia Republic, and the Orange Free State. This led, almost inevitably to the Zulu wars, and then the Boer wars, bringing South Africa under British control.
South African Cuisine
The cuisine of South Africa is diverse, and foods from many different cultures and backgrounds are enjoyed by all communities, and especially marketed to tourists who wish to sample the large variety available. The cuisine is mostly meat-based and has spawned the distinctively South African social gathering known as the braai, a variation of the barbecue. South Africa has also developed into a major wine produce.South Africa truly is a melting pot of cuisine styles, mixing African, European and Asian peoples, cuisines and cooking styles. Game plays an important part in the diet, especially in the traditional braai (South African barbecue) as does fish (both saltwater and freshwater). The basis of South African cookery is a starchy staple and meat. The Eastern part of the country enjoys Malay-influenced spicy stews as well as Indian-derived curries and the Southern part of the country is famous for its seafood. French immigrants have also led to extensive wine production in the country and South Africa is one of the world's great wine exporters.
Though many of the dishes associated with South Africa, such as braais and potjies (one-pot stews) have a distinctive Dutch and Afrikaans influence, the diversity of cultures in this country makes it difficult to pin down a truly distinctive form of cuisine. Indeed, what distinguishes South African cookery is the melange of styles and recipes derived from different cultures. One notable aspect of South African cookery, however, is the propensity of desserts in the country due to the European influences. The dish most commonly accepted as South Africa's national dish is the bobotie, a curried meatloaf with a custard topping.
Another distinctive influence, especially in the Cape region comes from the Malay community and many Malay-influenced curries and rice dishes are prepared. The British introduced many pickles and preserves as well as fish and chips (though this is served with a distinctive South African twist) as well as a number of cakes and desserts.
South Africa has also developed into a major wine producer, with some of the best vineyards lying in valleys around Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl and Barrydale.
The recipes presented below attempt to collect recipes from South Africa's native and colonial past, as well as showing the breadth and diversity of modern South African cookery.
The alphabetical list of all South African recipes on this site follows, (limited to 100 recipes per page). There are 161 recipes in total:
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| Afrikaanse Yakhni Origin: South Africa | Cold Smoked Kingfish Origin: South Africa | Gesmoorde Vis (Salt Cod and Potatoes in Tomato Sauce) Origin: South Africa |
| Apple and Pear Harvest Pie Origin: South Africa | Crayfish Curry Origin: South Africa | Gestowe Soetpatats (Slow-cooked Sweet Potatoes) Origin: South Africa |
| Apricot Blatjang Origin: South Africa | Crème Brûlée Cheesecake Origin: South Africa | Gestowe Soetpatats (Slow-cooked Sweet Potatoes) Origin: South Africa |
| Aubergine, Sweet Potato and Chickpea Balti Origin: South Africa | Curried Baked Hake with Cauliflower and Chickpeas Origin: South Africa | Gheema Curry Origin: South Africa |
| Banana Curry Chutney Origin: South Africa | Curried Beef Stew Origin: South Africa | Ginger Ale Origin: South Africa |
| Bean and Almond Salad Origin: South Africa | Curried Mutton Stew Origin: South Africa | Gooseberry Spiced Atchar Origin: South Africa |
| Beef and Potato Soup Origin: South Africa | Curried Sosaties Origin: South Africa | Green Bean and Mango Dhal Curry Origin: South Africa |
| Beef Braised in Rooibos Tea with Sweet Potatoes Origin: South Africa | Curry Mince Jaffles Origin: South Africa | Green Bean Bredie Origin: South Africa |
| Biltong Pâté Origin: South Africa | Custard-baked Sago Pudding with Meringue Topping Origin: South Africa | Grilled Mackerel with Spicy Dahl Origin: South Africa |
| Bo-Kaap Kerrie (Cape Malay Curry) Origin: South Africa | Dhaltjies (Cape Malay Chilli Bites) Origin: South Africa | Groenvyekonfyt (Green Fig Preserve) Origin: South Africa |
| Bo-Kaap Kerrie Poeier (Cape Malay Curry Powder) Origin: South Africa | Dombolo (South African Dumplings) Origin: South Africa | Highveld Lamb Curry Origin: South Africa |
| Bobotie (Curried Meat Loaf) Origin: South Africa | Durban Bunny Chow Origin: South Africa | Hoender Pasteie (Boer Chicken Pie) Origin: South Africa |
| Bobotie Pancakes Origin: South Africa | Durban Cornish Hen Curry Origin: South Africa | Imbila (Sour Porridge) Origin: South Africa |
| Boerwors Maalvleis Kerrie (Boerwors Minced Meat Curry) Origin: South Africa | Durban Fish Curry Origin: South Africa | Ingelegde Vis (Pickled Fish) Origin: South Africa |
| Braaied Balti Prawn Parcels with Spinach Rice Origin: South Africa | Durban Fish Masala Origin: South Africa | Ingelegde Vis II (Pickled Fish) Origin: South Africa |
| Braaied Giant Wild Prawns with Peanuts and Coconut Origin: South Africa | Durban Ginger and Garlic Masala Origin: South Africa | Inyama Yenkukhu (South African Chicken Casserole) Origin: South Africa |
| Cape Curry Powder Origin: South Africa | Durban Leaf Masala Origin: South Africa | Jozi Chicken Feet Curry Origin: South Africa |
| Cape Kedgeree Origin: South Africa | Durban Mango Atchar Origin: South Africa | Kaapse Kerrievis (Cape Malay Pickled Fish) Origin: South Africa |
| Cape Malay Dry Red Masala Origin: South Africa | Durban Masala Origin: South Africa | Kaapse Kerrievis (Cape Malay Pickled Fish) Origin: South Africa |
| Cape Malay Egg Curry Origin: South Africa | Durban Style Rotis Origin: South Africa | Kerrie Sult (Curried Brawn) Origin: South Africa |
| Cape Malay Egg Curry Origin: South Africa | Durban Vegetable Curry Origin: South Africa | Kerrie-aartappels en Uie (Curried Potatoes and Onions) Origin: South Africa |
| Cape Malay Leaf Masala Origin: South Africa | Durban-style Hake and Butternut Squash Curry Origin: South Africa | Kerrieboontjies (South African Curried Beans) Origin: South Africa |
| Cape Malay Mutton and Dhal Curry Origin: South Africa | Durban-style Mutton Curry with Potatoes and Dumplings Origin: South Africa | Kingklip and Prawn Biryani Origin: South Africa |
| Cape Malay Mutton Curry Origin: South Africa | Durban-style Steak and Kidney Stew Origin: South Africa | Koeksisters Origin: South Africa |
| Cape Malay Red Leaf Masala Origin: South Africa | Durban-style Watermelon Rind Curry Origin: South Africa | Koeksisters II Origin: South Africa |
| Cape Malay Red Masala Origin: South Africa | Easter Lamb Bobotie Origin: South Africa | Lamb and Apricot Cape Malay Curry Origin: South Africa |
| Cape Malay Seafood Curry Origin: South Africa | Fish Breyani Origin: South Africa | Lebanese-style Braaied Fruit Salad Origin: South Africa |
| Cape Malay Spicy Lamb Chops Origin: South Africa | Frikkadel Curry Origin: South Africa | Lourenço Marques Prawns Origin: South Africa |
| Chakalaka Origin: South Africa | Frikkadels Origin: South Africa | Malva Pudding Origin: South Africa |
| Chefy Umngqusho (Chefy Samp and Beans) Origin: South Africa | Fruit Curry Origin: South Africa | Mango and Lychee Sorbet Origin: South Africa |
| Chevra Origin: South Africa | Garlic Naan Bread Origin: South Africa | Mango Atchar Origin: South Africa |
| Chicken and Prawn Curry Origin: South Africa | Gebraaide Hoender (Spiced Roast Chicken) Origin: South Africa | Mango Atjar Origin: South Africa |
| Chilli Jam Origin: South Africa | Gehackte Herring Origin: South Africa | |
| Chilli Marmalad (Chilli Marmalade) Origin: South Africa | Gem Squash Starter Origin: South Africa |
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