Site icon Mayuri's Jikoni

Kachumbari,Kenyan Salad

mayurisjikoni
Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

Recipe: Kachumbari,Kenyan Salad

Kachumabari,Kenyan Salad is the easiest, most popular and a superbly delicious side dish that goes well with chicken, fish, barbecued meat (nyama choma), kebabs, tikkas, pilau, ugali, etc. It is a basic salad of tomatoes, onion, fresh coriander, lemon and a bit of chilli. This salad is popular in Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. The word kachumbari comes from the Hindi word Kachumber. So I am presuming that this salad became popular in the Eastern part of Africa when the Indians came to settle/work in those areas.

Indian kachumber usually consists of tomatoes, onion, cucumber, coriander, green chillis and lemon juice. The traditional Kenyan Kachumbari is a mixture of tomatoes and onion with some fresh coriander, lemon juice and chilli added to it. Modern variations of the basic kachumbari have cropped up. Cucumber, raw mango, avocado are sometimes added. Today I am sticking to the traditional kachumbari which my mum use to make every Sunday to go with khichdi and kadhi.

Sharing Kachumbari,Kenyan Salad Recipe With 2025 Alphabet Challenge Group

We’ve reached Letter K, also a reminder that time is flying. We’re already in the month of May for 2025!  A reminder to my followers that for the 2025 Alphabet Challenge, initiated by Wendy, my A-Z will be based on salads. So far so good. Cannot to the salad theme without including a salad from the country where I was born – Kenya. Though simple and  like a basic salsa, kachumbari is a part of the East African Cuisine.K is for kiwi, kale, kidney beans, key lime, kambocha, kohlrabi, kaffir lime, kebab, kumquat, kimchi, khoya, ketchup, khichdi, kala chana, etc.

My contribution for Letter K is Kachumbari, Kenyan Salad

 

Some Recipes With K You Might Like

EASY KALAKAND RECIPE
Easy Kalakand Recipe requires only three basic ingredients, milk, paneer and cardamom powder. Kalakand is a fudge like Indian sweet and is commonly made during festivals like Diwali, Raksha Bandhan, Ram Navmi, Janmashtami, etc.
Check out this recipe
KERSTKRANSJES, DUTCH CHRISTMAS COOKIES
Kerstkransjes, Dutch Christmas Cookies are the cutest cookies. They are traditionally wreath shaped and used for hanging on Christmas trees. Easy to make, and tasty enjoy making them with your kids.
Check out this recipe
KAHK - EGYPTIAN COOKIES
Kahk are traditional Egyptian Cookies that are generally baked during Eid. These cookies are amazingly tasty with a fabulous fine crumb, melt in the mouth texture, and aromatic.
Check out this recipe
VELLARIKKA KICHADI | CUCUMBER RAITA KERALA STYLE
Check out this recipe
KIWI CUCUMBER SALSA
Kiwi Cucumber Salsa is a perfect accompaniment to any Mexican Dish. Not only does it look bright and refreshing but is also very healthy. Enjoy it on its own as salad during the summer months.
Check out this recipe
KHAMANG KAKDI
Khamang Kakdi is an easy, delicious, cooling and refreshing  Maharashtrian style cucumber salad or side dish. It is generally served as part of a thali meal. Also known as Kakdi Koshimbir, just a few ingredients put together results in a healthy and tasty side dish. Personally, I enjoy a whole bowlful of it on its own as a snack or light lunch. Khamang in Marathi means delicious, tasty and well balanced. Which undoubtedly this salad recipe is. Kakdi is cucumber.
Check out this recipe
PAPDI NO LOT (STEAMED RICE FLOUR DOUGH) / KHICHU
Papdi No Lot | Khichu is a popular Gujarati spicy steamed rice flour dish that is usually enjoyed as a snack with some red chilli powder or pickle masala and drizzled with oil. This steamed snack is usually enjoyed by all kids and adults. Known as papdi no lot by the Charotar Patels and rice khichu by the rest of Gujarat. Please do not confuse it with the rice moong khichu which usually is made in a pot and not steamed.
Check out this recipe
SOOJI PHIRNI | KASHMIRI SUJI PHIRNI | KONG PHIRIN
Sooji Phirni is a traditional Kashmiri dessert made using semolina instead of rice. It turns our so aromatic and flavourful because of saffron. Full fat milk lands to the creamy texture of this sweet dish. And the best part is that it is easy to make. Additional advantage is that it can be made a day ahead if you're going to serve for any festival.
Check out this recipe
CASHEW CURRY | KAJU MALUWA | SRI LANKAN KAJU CURRY
Cashew Curry | Kaju Maluwa is a mild, vegan coconut based Sri Lankan curry where generous amount of cashew nuts are used to prepare this dish. Usually prepared for special occasions, it is served with plain rice.
Check out this recipe
PANEER KUNDAN KALIYAN
Paneer Kundan Kaliyan is a luscious, aromatic and flavourful vegetarian delicacy from the Awadhi Cuisine. Paneer Cubes are cooked in a subtly spiced gravy made using yogurt, cream and tomatoes. Dried rose petals, rose water and saffron add a delicate fragrance and taste.
 
Check out this recipe
VEGETABLE SEEKH KABAB
Vegetable Seekh Kababs are so delicious,gluten free and fun starter or snack, loaded with a variety of vegetables, shaped on skewers and grilled.
Check out this recipe
KARACHI BISCUITS
Karachi Biscuits are soft and melt in the mouth kind of cookies. Easy to make, they are studded with tutti frutti and flavoured with cardamom and rose essence.
Check out this recipe
KACHRI BATETA/BABU KACHRI
Kachri Bateta/ Kachri Babu is a tangy, lip smacking spicy potato stew served with a dry coconut mango chutney and topped with ganthia and crushed potato crisps or chips.
Check out this recipe
VEGETABLE  KHICHDI
Vegetable Khichdi is a wholesome, nutritious, healthy one pot meal. Served with some roasted papad, pickle and plain yogurt or raita it is comfort food. This recipe is versatile as you can add vegetables of your choice, use any dal or lentil and doesn't need to be served with kadhi.
Check out this recipe
KHANDVI, GUJARATI SAVOURY SNACK/ SURALICHI /PATULI / DAHIVADI
Khandvi, a Gujarati Snack is a delicious, melt in the mouth, flavourful rolled healthy snack. It is made from chickpea flour and yogurt or buttermilk.
Check out this recipe
KENYAN CHAPATI
Kenyan Chapati is a soft, flaky, chewy flatbread that is a staple part of celebratory meals in Kenya and other East African Countries. Popularly known as "chapo" in Kenya, it is usually enjoyed with curries as a main meal, with tea or eggs for breakfast.
Check out this recipe
KENYAN STYLE MASALA CHIPS
Kenyan Style Masala Chips also known as chips masala, is a popular dish on most restaurant menus in Kenya. Easy to make, spicy and tasty. It is a must to try out these chips when you visit Kenya.
Check out this recipe
KANDA KERI NU KACHUMBER/ MANGO ONION SALAD
Kanda Keri Nu Kachumber/ Mango Onion Salad is a simple but bursting with flavors kind of salad. Enjoy it as a part of your main meal, or with some khichdi or on its own as a snack. Healthy, its the best way to enjoy semi ripe mango during the summer season.
Check out this recipe
KERI NU SHAAK/MANGO CURRY
A simple and yet very tasty curry that is made from semi ripe mangoes. Usually served with parathas or khchdi, it definitely is an unusual curry.
Check out this recipe

K Recipes By Members Of  The Group

 

2025 Alphabet Challenge Journey So Far

AVOCADO, BEAN & MANGO SALAD
Avocado, Bean & Mango Salad is a zesty, nutritious, filling and delicious salad  bursting with colours. Like me if  you are a lover of both avocado and mango then this salad is just right for you. With homemade Cilantro Dressing, we love to have this salad as a light meal. I
Check out this recipe
BARLEY SALAD WITH GREEK LEMON HONEY DRESSING
Barley Salad with a Greek lemony dressing is easy to make, ideal potluck salad and makes a healthy meal. Add vegetables of your choice. What I like about this salad is that it stays fresh for at least 3 days in the fridge
Check out this recipe
CHICKPEA CHAAT SALAD
Chickpea Chaat Salad is a tasty, gluten free, vegan, slightly sweet, a bit spicy and tangy kind of salad. The star ingredient is boiled chickpeas. Add salad vegetables of your choice. This salad is a version of the popular Indian street food Chana Chaat.
Check out this recipe
DATE SALAD, OTTOLENGHI STYLE
Date Salad, Ottolenghi Style is a must try salad. The dates, sumac,  chilli flakes and marinated onion adds a bright, sweet, sour and slightly spicy taste. An excellent way to use up old pita bread, enjoy this salad as a meal or side dish.
Check out this recipe
AVOCADO EGG SALAD CUPS
Easy to make, protein rich and so flavourful, enjoy Avocado Egg Salad as a light meal or as a side dish.
Check out this recipe
FATTOUSH SALAD
Fattoush Salad is a delicious tangy, slightly sweetish, crunchy Levantine Salad made with veggies, herbs and crispy pita. Fattoush is an ideal weight loss salad as it is low in calories, filling and flavourful.
Check out this recipe
GUAVA SALAD, BURMESE STYLE
Guava Salad, Burmese Style is full of unique flavours imparted by toasted chickpea flour, fried onion, tamarind,  jaggery and the red chilli flakes. Easy to make, it can be enjoyed as a light meal if you are a guava lover like me.
Check out this recipe
GRILLED HALLOUMI SALAD AND BLACKBERRY SALAD DRESSING
Grilled Halloumi Salad is a colourful, healthy and filling Mediterranean inspired salad. Pair it with a fruity salad dressing like the blackberry one I made at home. Ideal as a summer picnic, party salad or as light meal.
Check out this recipe
ICE APPLE SALAD | TADGOLA SALAD
Ice Apple Salad with coconut milk, mint, cucumber and a few spices is a refreshing, cooling and unique summer salad. This salad is full of nutrients and an excellent way to enjoy the superfood - ice apples or tadgola.  Serve it as a starter or enjoy it as a light meal. Make sure it is served chilled.
Check out this recipe
ARMENIAN JAJUKH SALAD
Armenian Jajukh Salad is a refreshing, healthy, easy to make, five ingredient Cucumber and Yogurt Salad. Healthy, easy to make,cooling, refreshing and perfect for the summer season.
Check out this recipe

 

  

 

 

Ingredients Required For Kachumbari,Kenyan Salad

Tomatoes

For this salad it is best to use Roma tomatoes as they are not watery. We do not remove the seeds or pulp of the tomatoes.

Onion

Traditionally red onion is used for this salad. However, you may any onion of your choice.

Lemon Juice

Preferably fresh. Whenever I make this salad in Canada, I prefer to use lime juice as it tends to be a bit more sour than the large lemons.

Chilli

This salad is very forgiving as you can add any chilli you have in your fridge or pantry. Use fresh green or red chilli, sliced finely, jalapeno. Or go for the basic red chilli powder or cayenne powder.

Coriander | Cilantro

Add some for flavour. Adding other fresh herbs does not give it that authentic flavour.

Salt

Add according to your taste.

 

A Few Tips To Making Kachumbari,Kenyan Salad

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Print

KACHUMBARI,KENYAN SALAD

Kachumabari, Kenyan Salad is the easiest, most popular and a superbly delicious side dish that goes well with chicken, fish, barbecued meat (nyama choma), kebabs, tikkas, pilau, ugali, etc. It is a basic salad of tomatoes, onion, fresh coriander, lemon and a bit of chilli.
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine Kenyan
Keyword KACHUMBARI, kachumbari recipe, kenyan kachumbari, kenyan salad
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 2
Author mayurisjikoni

Ingredients

  • 2 large Roma tomatoes
  • 1 small red onion
  • 2 tbsp fresh coriander chopped
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • ½ tsp red chilli powder
  • ½ tsp salt

Instructions

  • Peel and cut the onion into half. Slice it. Don't make the slices too thin or too thick.
  • Add them to a bowl.
  • Cut the tomatoes into halves. Cut them lengthwise. Not too thick or thin.
  • Add it to the onion.
  • Add chopped coriander, salt, red chilli powder and lemon juice.
  • Mix the kachumbari well.
  • I like to leave it in the fridge for 15-30 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • If you are using fresh red or green chilli then add one or less according to how hot it is.
  • Add lemon juice and salt according to your taste.
  • The ratio of tomatoes to onion is generally more.
  • Can cut the tomatoes and onion into strips or cubes, your choice.
  • Generally, all the ingredients are mixed and the salad is allowed to rest for 10-15 minutes or more for the flavours to infuse. Adding salt results in a watery salad but that is generally the preferred way.
  • Don't add too much coriander. You don't the flavour of the coriander to over power the other flavours.
  • For a modern version go ahead and add cucumber, avocado, semi ripe mango. Sometimes I add a few bits of pineapple.
  • The flavour or the heat from the chillis should not be the dominant factor. Should have a good balance of salt, sour and hot.

Pin For Later

A Small Request

If you do try this recipe then please either

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exit mobile version