Food is a powerful way to bring people together. Whether you’re cooking for your family or trying to learn traditional meals, starting with simple, tasty recipes is the best way to grow your skills. In this article, we’ll walk you through 5 easy Kenyan recipes that anyone can try—even with basic ingredients and little cooking experience.

1. Ugali and Sukuma Wiki

Ugali is Kenya’s most common staple food, often served with greens like sukuma wiki (kale).

Ingredients:

2 cups maize flour.

4 cups water.

1 bunch sukuma wiki.

1 onion.

2 tomatoes.

Salt and oil to taste.

Instructions:

1. Boil water in a sufuria.

2. Slowly add maize flour while stirring.

3. Stir until thick and firm (about 10 minutes).

4. For sukuma: Fry chopped onions and tomatoes, add chopped sukuma, salt, and cook until tender.

Serve hot with a side of meat, eggs, or avocado.

2. Kenyan Beef Stew

A hearty, flavorful beef stew goes well with rice, chapati, or ugali.

Ingredients:

500g beef, cubed.

2 onions.

3 tomatoes.

1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional).

Garlic, ginger, salt, oil, and spices (beef masala, royco).

Instructions:

1. Boil beef until tender, save the broth.

2. In a separate pan, fry onions, garlic, and ginger.

3. Add tomatoes and tomato paste, cook until soft.

4. Add beef, broth, and spices. Simmer until thick and flavorful.

3. Chapati (Soft Flatbread)

Chapati is a Kenyan favorite, especially during special occasions.

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour.

1 teaspoon salt.

1 tablespoon sugar (optional)

Warm water.

Oil for frying.

Instructions:

1. Mix flour, salt, sugar, and water into a soft dough.

2. Let it rest for 30 minutes.

3. Roll into balls, flatten, apply oil, roll again.

4. Fry each side on a pan until golden brown.

Serve with stew or vegetables.

4. Githeri (Boiled Maize and Beans)

Githeri is a traditional meal from Central Kenya, loved for its simplicity.

Ingredients:

2 cups boiled maize.

2 cups boiled beans.

1 onion.

2 tomatoes.

Salt, oil, and coriander.

Instructions:

1. Fry onions and tomatoes.

2. Add boiled maize and beans.

3. Add salt and simmer for 10–15 minutes.

4. Garnish with chopped coriander.

You can spice it up with curry powder or beef cubes.

5. Mandazi (East African Doughnuts)

Mandazi is perfect for breakfast or tea time.

Ingredients:

2 cups flour.

3 tablespoons sugar.

1 teaspoon baking powder.

1 egg.

1/2 cup milk.

Oil for frying.

Instructions:

1. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, egg, and milk to form dough.

2. Roll out and cut into triangles.

3. Deep-fry in hot oil until golden brown.

Let them cool slightly before serving.