Sukuma Wiki Recipe – This healthy and economical braised collard greens recipe is bursting with flavor and spices. They’re collard greens done right for a perfect weeknight side dish! 💚
You can make these tasty African greens with minimal ingredients or take them over the top with protein and spices. Of course, I went over the top, adding protein, garlic, and spices, including coriander, curry, garlic, and cayenne pepper for some heat. One of the great things about sukuma wiki is how easy it is to customize it.
And while the super greens and the foodie worlds are smitten with kale, not many people realize that collard greens are right up there with kale. They provide vitamins A, C, K, and calcium, and they’re quite tasty, too! A side-by-side comparison even gives collard greens a slight edge. 😉
Another great thing about this recipe for sukuma wiki? Most people love cooking their greens for a prolonged time, but not me. This recipe comes together quickly! It takes 7-10 minutes, tops!
Content…What Is It? |
What Is Sukuma Wiki?
Sukuma wiki is a rustic African dish enjoyed in many parts of East Africa. Kenya and Tanzania are just a couple. The Swahili phrase means to stretch the week, which it does quite well, especially when paired with ugali, a cornmeal fufu.
What You Need
- Collards – Get a nice fresh bunch of collards for this recipe. Or, substitute kale if you must. 😜
- Protein – Chopped or ground beef or chicken can turn this side of greens into the main course. But it’s optional.
- Veggies – Tomato, garlic, and onion add loads of flavor and variety of texture, too.
- Spices – Smoked paprika, coriander, curry or turmeric, cayenne pepper, bouillon powder, and lemon juice make the perfect spice combo, IMO.
How to Make Sukuma Wiki
- Saute – Heat the oil in a medium-large skillet, add onions and garlic, and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Stir constantly to prevent burning.
- Base – Add the tomatoes, curry powder, coriander, and paprika. Stir with a heavy wooden spoon for about 2 minutes.
- Meat – Add ground or minced meat, if using, and the bouillon powder. Stir well and simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Cook Collards – Next, throw in the chopped collards, cayenne pepper, and lemon juice.
- Simmer – Continue cooking for another 5-10 minutes until flavors blend and the greens cook to your preference.
- Serve – Adjust the seasonings to taste, including salt and pepper. Turn off the heat and serve!
Recipe Variations
- Make it vegan. Skip the meat and use vegetable bouillon powder for totally plant-based goodness.
- Make it spicy! Add a jalapeno or other spicy pepper to the sauteed vegetables and some crushed red pepper. 🌶️
- Protein swaps. Don’t limit yourself to ground beef or chicken. Shrimp, sausage, bacon, or any other meat tastes delish in this dish. 😋
Tips and Tricks
- Select fresh greens. Choose collard greens that are fresh, vibrant, and crisp. Avoid wilted or yellowing leaves, as they may be past their prime and turn bitter.
- Clean your greens thoroughly. Collard greens can be gritty, so be sure to clean them thoroughly. Submerge them in cold water and swish them around to remove sand or debris. Repeat until the water runs clear.
- Remove tough stems. Collard greens have tough stems that can be fibrous and chewy. Remove them by folding the leaves in half and slicing along the stem to remove it. Or strip the leaves off the stems with your hands.
- Cut them uniformly for easy eating. After removing the stems, stack several leaves on top of each other, roll them into a tight bundle, and slice them crosswise into thin strips for even cooking.
Make-Ahead Instructions
This deliciousness is a great make-ahead dish. Just let it cool and refrigerate it in an airtight container for 1-2 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Serving and Storage Instructions
Serve sukuma wiki hot as a main dish or side.
Refrigerate leftover collard greens for 3-5 days in an airtight container. Reheat them in a pan on the stove over medium heat until heated through. You may need to add a couple of tablespoons of broth or water if it seems too dry.
What Goes With Sukuma Wiki
For a traditional African meal, serve this dish with ugali. Sukuma Wiki also goes great with classic Southern dishes like fried chicken livers, black-eyed peas, and skillet cornbread. 🤤
More African-Inspired Recipes to Try
This blog post was originally published in January 2015 and has been updated with additional tips and delicious-looking photos
Sukuma Wiki
Ingredients
- 1 bunch kale or collard greens
- 1-2 cups (225-450g) minced beef or chicken (ground beef works too but it's optional)
- 3 medium tomatoes, diced
- 1-2 teaspoons (5-10g) minced garlic
- 1 large white onion
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) canola oil or more as needed (any cooking oil)
- 1 tablespoon (8g) smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon (1g) ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon (1g) curry powder or turmeric
- ½ teaspoon (1g) cayenne pepper or more
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice about ½ a lemon
- 1 tablespoon (10g) bouillon powder or 1 cube
Instructions
- In a medium – large skillet, add oil, onions, and garlic, and sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Then add tomatoes, curry, coriander, and paprika, and continue stirring with a heavy wooden spoon for about 2 minutes.
- Add minced meat and bouillon powder; stir until ingredients are thoroughly combined. Simmer for 5 minutes or more.
- Toss in the chopped collards, cayenne pepper, and lemon juice. Continue cooking for another 5-10 minutes until flavors have blended and greens are cooked to preferred doneness.
- Adjust seasonings, salt, and pepper, and turn off the heat. Let it cool slightly. Serve with ugali for a classic meal.
Tips & Notes:
- Select fresh greens. Choose collard greens that are fresh, vibrant, and crisp. Avoid wilted or yellowing leaves, as they may be past their prime and turn bitter.
- Clean your greens thoroughly. Collard greens can be gritty, so be sure to clean them thoroughly. Submerge them in cold water and swish them around to remove sand or debris. Repeat until the water runs clear.
- Remove tough stems. Collard greens have tough stems that can be fibrous and chewy. Remove them by folding the leaves in half and slicing along the stem to remove it. Or strip the leaves off the stems with your hands.
- Cut them uniformly for easy eating. After removing the stems, stack several leaves on top of each other, roll them into a tight bundle, and slice them crosswise into thin strips for even cooking.
- Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.
monikanyc says
This was amazing, and so easy to make. The spices make it extra delicious (I’ve seen many versions that don’t use any spice beyond garlic and onion). We had it with Irio and it was a very satisfying meal. Thanks for the recipe – I’ll be back for more!
Imma says
Thank you for your love and support. Keep visiting the blog for more exciting meal recipes in future:)
brenda neil says
Lovely recipe
Immaculate Bites says
Thank you, Brenda! Don’t forget to try my new Chocolate Mousse for dessert 😉
Juliet Kariuki says
This recipe has just the right amount of flavor! I have been wanting to spice up this dish for a while. Coming from a traditional Kenyan background, it’s only natural that we prepare this dish regularly. I enjoyed all of the spices used and wanted to say thank you for sharing. This will be my go to recipe when I prepare Nyeni in the future. Thanks again.
Immaculate Bites says
Thank you for your comment, Juliet! I hope you can also try my other Easy Healthy Dinner Recipes in Under 30 Minutes. Enjoy!
Juliet Kariuki says
This recipe has just the right amount of flavor!
Thureya says
i went to visit my uncle in tanzania last year and this is my favourite meal of all time!! its hard to get collard greens here in the UK so im really happy with this recipe as now i can make it at home here
Immaculate Bites says
Glad you enjoyed this, Thureya! 🙂
Carrie says
My fellow is Tanzanian, been here 20 years, he loved it, and I had never even eaten greens before, let alone made them. Thanks for the recipe!
Immaculate Bites says
Thank you, Carrie! 🙂
Lena says
I grew up on ugali na sukuma wiki! Thank you for bringing back the memories x
Immaculate Bites says
Aww
Melinda says
Very excited to find your site and this recipe! I exchange letters with a young woman from Kenya. Our lives are very different and it can be difficult to find common ground. Recently she wrote in one of her letters about her garden and making this dish for her family. I am now going to make this dish and it can be something we share! Thank you so very much!
ImmaculateBites says
So happy to be of help . Happy Cooking!!
Michael Prince says
I love Collard greens,so when I saw your recipe I new I had to try it. One of the best things that I’ve ever eaten I could have this 3 times a week. Thank You.
ImmaculateBites says
Yay. So happy to hear it is a hit.
Kandy says
I cooked this meal and it actually came out better than I thought. I used beef and it was delicious. Thank you. I put the lemon juice in last, and it seem to tie everything together.
ImmaculateBites says
Fantastic! I am so glad this turned out great for you, Kandy :)!
Zack says
Just made this tonight w/out the meat. Really outstanding flavor and so good with the Ugali! Will
be enjoying the leftovers for lunch this week. Without the meat I had to add a little water w the kale so things would braise well. Thanks for posting such a great recipe!
Maryland Girl says
I tried this today and it was delicious! It had a little more heat to it than I was expecting. Next time I think I’ll use half the amount of cayenne pepper. But it’s still amazing as is. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
imma africanbites says
Thank you for trying it out and taking the time to let me know. Glad you like it!
Priscilla.Kosi says
Hi Emma
I just love all your recipes.
So good.
Keep up the good work.
imma africanbites says
Thank you for taking the time to let me know. I hope you have a great weekend! 🙂
Nick says
I tried your recipe a while ago (and loved it), but I’m a bit confused. In the ingredients list it says kale. Was that a typo or do you use kale sometimes?
imma africanbites says
Hi Nick, Sorry for the confusion. You can use either kale or collard greens or a combination of both. Recipe updated. Thank you! 🙂
Mike Czyzewski says
This is really tasty! Thanks for the recipe!
ImmaculateBites says
Awesome! Glad to hear it worked for you mike.