Kachumbari (Tanzanian Tomato and Onion Salad)
In short: A fresh, crunchy salad of ripe tomato, thin red onion, chili and cilantro in lime juice, the cooling partner to grilled meat and fried food. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 15 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 45 kcal
Kachumbari is the fresh tomato and onion salad that goes with almost every grilled or fried meal in Tanzania. Thin red onion, ripe tomato, fresh chili and cilantro are tossed with lime juice and salt. Rubbing the onion with salt and lime first takes off its harshness. It sits beside nyama choma, pilau and chipsi mayai, cutting through the richness, and it keeps its crunch for about an hour.
Instructions
- Put the sliced onion in a bowl with a pinch of the salt and half the lime juice. Rub it with your fingers for 1 minute to soften it.
- Rinse the onion under cold water if it still smells very sharp, then drain well.
- Cut the tomatoes in half, scoop out most of the seeds and dice the flesh. Place them in a serving bowl.
- Add the onion, chili, cilantro, remaining lime juice and the rest of the salt. Toss gently.
- Let the salad rest for 10 to 15 minutes so the flavors blend. Serve within an hour.
Tips
- Seed the tomatoes to keep the salad from turning watery. Save the juice and the seeds for soups or sauces.
- Add diced cucumber, shredded cabbage or ripe avocado for a more filling salad, which is how some cooks serve it.
Questions and answers
What do you serve kachumbari with?
It goes with nyama choma, pilau, grilled fish, chipsi mayai and ugali. It also works on sandwiches and as a topping for rice and beans.
Can I make kachumbari ahead of time?
Chop the vegetables up to 4 hours ahead and keep them cold, but add the salt and lime only about 15 minutes before serving to avoid a soggy salad.
Is kachumbari spicy?
Only if you add the chili. Without it the salad is fresh and sharp, and many cooks let guests add chili sauce at the table.
How long does it take to make Kachumbari (Tanzanian Tomato and Onion Salad)?
About 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Kachumbari (Tanzanian Tomato and Onion Salad)?
About 45 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 9 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 45 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 9 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 300 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
