Quick & Easy South African Recipes

Welcome to the Quick Meals section of Ubuntu Kitchen, your go-to source for delicious and easy South African recipes that are perfect for busy weeknights. We understand that life can get hectic, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice flavor or resort to unhealthy takeout. Our quick meal recipes are designed to be ready in 30 minutes or less, using simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions. Dive into the diverse flavors of Mzansi with these fast and fantastic dishes!

Quick Bunny Chow

Bunny Chow, a Durban classic, can be made quickly with pre-cooked beans or canned curry. Here's how:

Ingredients: 1 loaf of white bread, 1 can of beans curry, 1 onion (chopped), oil.
Instructions: Sauté onion in oil. Add beans curry and heat through. Cut the bread loaf in half, hollow out the center, and fill with the curry. Serve hot.

This quick version retains the hearty and flavorful essence of the traditional Bunny Chow.

Picture of a quick tomato bredie cooking in a pot

Speedy Tomato Bredie

Tomato Bredie is a flavorful stew. This quick version uses ground beef for faster cooking:

Ingredients: 500g ground beef, 1 large onion (chopped), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 tbsp tomato paste, mixed herbs, salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions: Brown the ground beef with onion and garlic. Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, herbs, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes until the sauce thickens. Serve with rice or mashed potatoes.

A comforting and satisfying meal ready in no time!

Image showing a plate of quick chakalaka and pap

Instant Chakalaka with Pap

Chakalaka, a spicy vegetable relish, can be made quickly using canned beans and vegetables. Pair it with instant pap for a complete meal:

Ingredients: 1 can baked beans, 1 can mixed vegetables, 1 onion (chopped), 1 chili (chopped, optional), curry powder, instant pap.
Instructions: Sauté onion and chili. Add baked beans, mixed vegetables, and curry powder. Simmer for 10 minutes. Prepare instant pap according to package instructions. Serve chakalaka over pap.

A flavorful and filling meal that's both quick and easy.

Image depicting vetkoek being fried in a pan

Easy Vetkoek

Vetkoek, or "fat cake," is a South African fried dough. This simplified recipe is quick and requires minimal ingredients:

Ingredients: 2 cups self-raising flour, 1 tsp sugar, ½ tsp salt, 1 cup warm water, oil for frying.
Instructions: Mix flour, sugar, and salt. Add warm water and mix until a soft dough forms. Heat oil in a pan. Drop spoonfuls of dough into the hot oil and fry until golden brown on both sides. Serve with jam, cheese, or mince.

A delicious and satisfying treat that's perfect for a quick snack or light meal.

Image showcasing mince curry served in a bowl

Quick Mince Curry

A flavorful and aromatic mince curry that's ready in under 30 minutes:

Ingredients: 500g ground beef, 1 onion (chopped), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 tbsp curry powder, 1 tsp turmeric, 1 can diced tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions: Brown the ground beef with onion and garlic. Add curry powder and turmeric, cook for 1 minute. Add diced tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve with rice or roti.

A spicy and comforting meal that's perfect for a chilly evening.

Boerewors Roll

A South African staple, quick and easy to prepare:

Ingredients: Boerewors sausage, hot dog rolls, mustard, tomato sauce (chutney optional).
Instructions: Grill or pan-fry the boerewors sausage until cooked through. Place the sausage in a hot dog roll. Add mustard and tomato sauce to taste. Serve immediately.

A classic South African treat that's perfect for a quick lunch or snack.

Image of a plate of grilled chicken sosaties

Speedy Chicken Sosaties

Sosaties are marinated meat skewers. This quick version uses pre-cut chicken and a simplified marinade:

Ingredients: 500g pre-cut chicken cubes, ½ cup apricot jam, ¼ cup vinegar, 1 tbsp curry powder, salt and pepper to taste, wooden skewers.
Instructions: Mix apricot jam, vinegar, curry powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add chicken cubes and marinate for at least 15 minutes. Thread chicken onto wooden skewers. Grill or bake until cooked through. Serve with rice or salad.

Sweet, savory, and ready in a flash!

Image illustrating a quick maize porridge being prepared

Instant Maize Porridge (Mieliepap)

A comforting and quick breakfast option:

Ingredients: Instant maize meal (mieliepap), water or milk, sugar or salt to taste.
Instructions: Follow package instructions to prepare the instant maize meal. Add sugar or salt to taste. Serve hot with milk or cream.

A warm and satisfying start to your day.