If you’re someone who lives for big flavors, warm spices, and home-cooked comfort, you just struck gold.
Zimbabwean food isn’t something you stumble on every day in the States, but once you get a taste, there’s no turning back.
We’re talking hearty stews, grilled meats, peanut-infused sauces, and maize-based staples that hug your soul with every bite.
Whether you’re here to explore your roots, expand your recipe collection, or just try something totally different from your usual takeout lineup, this lineup of the best Zimbabwean recipes is exactly what your kitchen’s been missing.
These aren’t just meals; they’re bold bites of Southern Africa’s best-kept culinary secrets. You ready? Because your taste buds are about to take off.
1. Sadza
Sadza is the heart and soul of Zimbabwean cuisine. It’s kind of like grits, but thicker and heartier.
Made with finely ground white maize (cornmeal), sadza is a staple that goes with almost every Zimbabwean dish.
Ingredients: 3 cups white maize meal (cornmeal)
6 cups water
A pinch of salt (optional)
How to Make It:
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Slowly whisk in 1 cup of maize meal, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
Let it simmer on low. Gradually stir in the remaining maize meal.
Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture thickens and pulls away from the pot. Cook for another 5 minutes on low.
It should be firm enough to scoop but soft enough to mold.
Why did this make it to our list
Sadza is the base of almost every Zimbabwean meal. It’s versatile, easy to make, and pure comfort food.
Once you try it, you’ll want it on the side of everything.
2. Nyama (Zimbabwean Beef Stew)
Nyama just means “meat” in Shona, but in kitchens across Zimbabwe, it means stew done right.
Tender beef chunks slow-cooked with tomatoes, onions, and just enough spice to make your taste buds sing.
Ingredients: 2 lbs beef stew meat (cut into chunks)
1 large onion (diced)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
2 tomatoes (chopped)
1 tsp curry powder
Salt to taste
2 tbsp oil
2 cups water or beef stock
How to Make It:
Heat oil in a pot and brown the beef. Toss in onions and garlic and sauté until fragrant. Add tomatoes and cook until soft.
Stir in curry powder and salt. Pour in water or stock. Let it simmer for at least an hour until the beef is tender and juicy.
Why we chose it
Zimbabwean beef stew is the definition of cozy. The richness of the beef paired with the tomato-based sauce is next-level good. It’s got that Sunday-dinner magic.
3. Muriwo Unedovi (Greens in Peanut Sauce)
Greens never tasted so good. Muriwo unedovi mixes leafy greens like kale or spinach with a thick, nutty peanut butter sauce. Don’t knock it till you try it.
Ingredients: 1 bunch kale or collard greens (chopped)
1 small onion (chopped)
2 tbsp oil
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1/2 cup water
Salt to taste
How to Make It:
Sauté onions in oil until translucent. Add greens and cook until wilted.
Mix peanut butter with water until smooth and pour over the greens. Stir well and cook for 10 more minutes. Add salt to taste.
Why we selected it
It’s not just healthy—it’s hearty and packed with flavor. The combo of nutty, creamy, and earthy makes it unforgettable.
4. Mapopo Candy (Papaya Candy)
Here’s your sweet fix, Zimbabwe-style. Mapopo candy is chewy, sugary, and made from ripe papaya.
It’s one of those old-school treats that brings everyone back to their childhood.
Ingredients: 2 cups ripe papaya (grated)
1 cup sugar
Juice of 1 lemon
How to Make It:
Combine papaya and sugar in a pan. Cook over low heat, stirring often until it thickens.
Add lemon juice and cook until it reaches a sticky, chewy texture. Let it cool, then cut into bite-sized pieces.
Why did this make it to our list
It’s homemade candy that’s tropical, nostalgic, and super easy to whip up. What’s not to love?
5. Zimbabwean Chicken Curry
This ain’t your regular curry. Zimbabwean chicken curry brings in local flavors and turns up the comfort. It’s bold, rich, and made for spooning over sadza.
Ingredients: 2 lbs chicken (bone-in preferred)
1 onion (sliced)
2 garlic cloves (minced)
1 tbsp curry powder
1/2 tsp paprika
2 tomatoes (chopped)
2 tbsp oil
Salt to taste
1 cup water
How to Make It:
Heat oil and brown the chicken. Add onions and garlic, cook till golden. Stir in curry powder and paprika.
Add tomatoes and cook till soft. Pour in water, bring to a boil, then simmer until chicken is tender.
Why we picked it
Because comfort food doesn’t get more flavorful than this. It’s saucy, spicy, and absolutely unforgettable.
6. Derere (Okra Stew)
Slimy? Maybe a bit. Delicious? No question. Derere is an okra stew that’s thick, slippery, and perfect for dipping with sadza.
Ingredients: 2 cups fresh okra (chopped)
1 tomato (chopped)
1/2 onion (chopped)
1 tbsp oil
Salt to taste
1/2 cup water
How to Make It:
Sauté onion in oil, then add tomato and cook till soft. Add okra and water, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir until the okra breaks down into a thick sauce.
Why we chose it
You either love okra or you don’t—but this dish might just win over the skeptics. It’s a Zimbabwean favorite for a reason.
7. Kapenta with Tomatoes and Onions
Kapenta are tiny, dried freshwater fish that pack a major punch.
When simmered with tomatoes and onions, they’re savory, salty, and straight-up addictive.
Ingredients: 1 cup dried kapenta (rinsed)
2 tomatoes (chopped)
1 onion (sliced)
2 tbsp oil
Salt to taste
How to Make It:
Soak kapenta in water for 15 minutes, then drain. Heat oil, sauté onions and tomatoes until soft.
Add kapenta and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Why did this make it to our list
It’s one of those humble dishes that punches way above its weight. Big flavor in tiny packages.
8. Zimbabwean Fried Cabbage
Simple, cheap, and surprisingly flavorful, fried cabbage is a popular side that shows up on many Zimbabwean plates.
Ingredients: 1 head cabbage (shredded)
1 onion (sliced)
2 tbsp oil
Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make It:
Heat oil in a pan, add onions and sauté until soft. Toss in cabbage, stir-fry for about 10 minutes until it’s just tender with a little crisp. Season to taste.
Why we selected it
Sometimes the simplest recipes hit the hardest. This one’s cheap, cheerful, and crazy good.
9. Maheu (Fermented Maize Drink)
Maheu is the OG Zimbabwean energy drink. It’s fermented, fizzy, slightly sweet, and traditionally made from leftover sadza. Weird? Maybe. Worth it? Totally.
Ingredients: 2 cups leftover sadza or cooked maize meal
4 cups water
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional)
How to Make It:
Blend sadza and water until smooth. Pour into a jar, cover loosely, and let ferment for 2-3 days. Stir in sugar and cinnamon before drinking.
Why we picked it
It’s funky in the best way and gives you a taste of traditional Zimbabwean drinks.
10. Chimodho (Zimbabwean Cornbread)
Chimodho is soft, golden, and just the right amount of sweet. It’s kind of like American cornbread, but it brings its own unique twist.
Ingredients: 2 cups maize meal
1 cup flour
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups milk
1 egg
2 tbsp oil
How to Make It:
Mix dry ingredients. In another bowl, whisk milk, egg, and oil. Combine wet and dry ingredients, pour into a greased baking pan. Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes.
Why did this make it to our list
It’s a side, a snack, or even breakfast. Super versatile and just plain tasty.
11. Roadrunner Chicken Stew
This ain’t your average chicken. Roadrunner refers to free-range, tougher chickens that need long cooking, but the payoff? A rich, flavorful stew like no other.
Ingredients: 1 whole free-range chicken (cut up)
2 onions (chopped)
2 tomatoes (diced)
3 garlic cloves (minced)
2 tbsp oil
Salt to taste
2 cups water
How to Make It:
Brown chicken in oil. Add onions and garlic, cook until golden. Stir in tomatoes and salt.
Add water and simmer on low for 1.5 to 2 hours until the chicken is fall-off-the-bone tender.
Why we selected it
The long cooking time brings out all the flavor. It’s rustic, traditional, and a total crowd-pleaser.
Conclusion
There you have it—11 of the best Zimbabwean recipes you need to try at least once in your life.
These dishes are more than just food; they’re flavor-packed passports to Zimbabwe’s culture and kitchen traditions.
From the everyday staple of sadza to nostalgic treats like mapopo candy, there’s something here that’ll speak to every kind of foodie.
So what are you waiting for? Pick a recipe, roll up your sleeves, and take your taste buds on a trip to Zimbabwe. Let’s get cookin’!