Here is a collection of over 30 African dishes you need to try. These mouthwatering dishes bring in some of the best and most popular African flavors from around the continent.
If you have ever been curious about the diverse flavors of African food, these are some of the best African dishes that you can make to experience the unique and exciting flavors that African cuisine has to offer.
Salmon Stew
Not only is this stew a quick and easy African food dish to make, but it’s loaded with flavor and can be made in large batches so that you have enough to freeze for future dinners. Salmon fillets are paired with vegetables and a mix of spices to create this flavorful stew.
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Chicken Brochettes
Marinated in a mix of flavorful seasoning and juices, this tender chicken with sliced onions creates a flavor-packed dinner idea the whole family will love.
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Ethiopian Beef Tibs
A versatile stir fry that is rich in bold ethnic flavors, these Ethiopian beef tibs are ready to eat in just 25 minutes. It’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you want a filling dinner you can make for the family.
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Yassa Fish
Fish is marinated in a flavorful sauce that’s made with olive oil, mustard, lemon juice, and a variety of spices to make this West African inspired dish. It’s easy enough to make for a weeknight dinner and so flavorful no one will be able to resist it.
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Chicken Suya
You’ll love the spicy peanut-based seasoning this chicken suya brings to the table. While suya is traditionally made with beef, this version uses chicken and is great for parties or served for dinner.
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Nkwobi – Spicy Cow Feet
One of the most popular Nigerian foods that you will find served for special occasions Nkwobi, also known as Spicy Cow Feet, is a filling dish that’s bursting with flavor. If you’re curious about traditional African food, experience the flavors of the dish!
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Nigerian Meat Floss
A snack that’s packed with protein, meat floss has a bit spicy kick to go with the nutty flavors from the suya spice that’s used. It makes for an easy snack, lunch, or dinner that’s not only delicious but also packed with protein.
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Kuku Paka – Kenyan Curry
This creamy curry is a coconut flavored meal that has a mix of Kenyan and Indian flavors. The simple chicken dish is an easy to make dinner idea the whole family will want to enjoy.
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Doro Wat – Ethiopian Chicken Stew
You can’t go wrong with serving up a spicy Ethiopian chicken stew. It’s a hearty and comforting dish that’s made with chicken thighs and hard-boiled eggs that have been simmered in an aromatic sauce.
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African Chicken Peanut Stew
Popular in West Africa, this peanut stew is so easy to make, you can enjoy it any night of the week. The creamy stew is made with peanut butter, tomatoes, peppers, broth, and spices.
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Shakshuka – African Poached Eggs
Also known as North African poached eggs, shakshuka is a traditional African dish that’s served for breakfast or brunch over the holidays. The dish has so much flavor, it will bring the family together so everyone can enjoy a delicious and hearty meal.
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Harissa Chicken Thighs
Ready for a delicious dinner that has a spicy kick to it? This is a recipe that mixes chicken thighs and harissa chile paste to create a flavorful African flavored dinner idea that packs a punch.
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Garden Egg Stew
A hearty stew that will become a family favorite, garden egg stew is loaded with flavor. The “garden eggs” are actually African eggplants and are used to create a filling meal so good everyone will be asking for seconds.
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African Goat Stew
A delicacy in many parts of Africa, this African goat stew is one that’s so simple to make. No special ingredients are needed to make this hearty stew.
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Gomen Wat – Ethiopian Collard Greens
Collard greens are the star of this traditional Ethiopian side dish. It’s actually one of the most popular African food sides and many even enjoy it as a main dish. Think of gomen wat as the African version of southern collard greens.
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Nigerian Beef Stew
With a blend of tomatoes, beef, red bell peppers, and habanero peppers, this Nigerian beef stew is loaded with flavor and will give you a heartwarming dish to serve for dinner.
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Sukuma Wiki – Kenyan Collard Greens
Best served with fufu or cauliflower rice, sukuma wiki is a low-carb African food that’s made with collard greens, a blend of aromatic spices, and tomatoes. It’s so delicious, even those who don’t like collard greens will become a fan.
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Efo Riro – Nigerian Spinach Stew
A savory spinach stew that’s loaded with other vegetables and any type of meat you want. It goes well with a lot of different types of side dishes but the most popular are cauliflower rice and fufu.
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Pan-Seared Tilapia
When you want a flavorful dish that you can have on the table in no time, this pan-seared tilapia will be a go-to. It’s made in just 10 minutes and packed with protein. The flavor comes from the mix of aromatic spices the fish is seasoned with.
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Kachumbari – Kenyan Salad
When you’re hungry for a light but filling African salad that you can put together quickly, this Kachumbari will fit the bill. It’s loaded with vegetables and flavorful spices that you can serve with different meats as a side or condiment.
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Molokhia Soup
Made with leafy greens and cooked in a seasoned broth, this molokhia soup is an African food recipe that’s packed with flavor and healthy ingredients. The mix of spices come together perfectly with the jute leaves.
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Moroccan Chermoula Chicken
Chermoula paste, which is a North African blend of spices, creates the most flavorful chicken. The chicken is lightly fried until it’s perfectly tender and juicy on the inside. This is a dish that you have to try and you’ll want to be sure to save the leftovers for lunch!
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Nigerian Chicken Stew
Chicken is simmered in a savory sauce that’s made from tomatoes and peppers to create a hearty and filling dinner idea the family won’t be able to get enough of. While this chicken stew can be a bit spicy, you can tone it down by adjusting the amount of spices used.
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Zaalouk Moroccan Salad
This may be a basic Moroccan salad, but with the smoky richness of eggplants, tomatoes, and the perfect blend of aromatic spices, this is anything but bland and boring. It’s typically enjoyed as a dip with pita or crusty bread.
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Poulet Yassa – Senegalese Chicken
A dish that’s become very popular in West Africa, this flavorful meal marinates chicken in a blend of lemon juice, dijon mustard, garlic, and spices. The chicken is then cooked with caramelized onions to make an irresistible dish.
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Peppered Gizzard
Gizzards may not be your favorite thing in the world, but once you try this peppered gizzard dish, it may just change your mind! This is an inexpensive and healthy dish that you can have ready to enjoy in no time.
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Peri Peri Chicken Wings
Chicken wings are seasoned with a peri peri seasoning which is a popular West African blend of spices. These chicken wings pack a lot of heat, but if spiciness isn’t your thing, you can adjust the levels to create a delicious dinner or party appetizer.
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Mafe – Senegalese Peanut Stew
If you’ve never tried African food before, this is a dish you want to start out with! The creamy peanut and tomato stew with beef brings in so much flavor, it’ll have you hooked.
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Ofada Stew
Served with cauliflower rice, this is a delectable Nigerian stew that’s made with palm oil, locust beans, and bell peppers. It’s a keto-friendly African inspired dish that’s both easy to make and bursting with flavor.
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Fumbwa – Congolese Spinach Stew
Satisfying and nutritious, Fumbwa is a wild spinach stew that makes the perfect low-carb meal to enjoy. Peanut butter, dried fish, catfish, peppers, and onions are what make this stew so delicious. Â
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Tayo Oredola is the founder of Low Carb Africa, where she shares healthy, low carb dishes with global flavors. She is passionate about teaching people how to cook drool-worthy dishes while losing weight and living their best lives. Tayo’s recipes have been featured on MSN, Women’s Health, Parade, Yahoo News, Pure Wow, Essence, and other online publications.