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    Home » African dishes

    The Best Kenyan Githeri Recipe

    Dated: January 29, 2022 . Modified: Sep 7, 2022 by Kate Hahnel

    Jump to Recipe

    The best Githeri recipe! Combining the flavors of garam masala, fresh tomatoes, and potatoes along with other tasty ingredients, this slightly spicy Kenyan Githeri recipe made without meat will blow you away!

    A plate of Kenyan githeri, with some coriander (cilantro) in the background.

    I absolutely love Githeri!! It is one of those meals that make you feel like you are at home - it is cozy, tasty, and absolutely easy to make! Speaking of which, you definitely want to check out this Swahili pilau or the ultimate nyama choma recipe, if you love East African dishes as I do!

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    what is githeri?

    The name Githeri simply means or refers to Succotash in English. Unlike Succotash, it does not include lima beans and uses other types such as Red Kidney, Pinto, or Adzuki beans.

    Githeri, also known as mutheri or muthere, is a traditional one-pot meal comprising boiled corn (or maize) and beans, that originated in Central Kenya. It was referred to as the traditional dish of the Kikuyu people in Central Kenya but has since seen its popularity spread to other parts of the country due to its tasty, nutritious, and affordable nature. It is also consumed in other parts of Africa and goes by several names (Adalu in Nigeria, and corn chaff in Cameroon). You can make it from scratch or use already-boiled canned or frozen corn and beans, for convenience.

    what makes this recipe so good!

    • It is exploding with flavour! Combining the flavors of juicy tomatoes, garam masala powder, coriander (cilantro) and garlic along with other wonderful ingredients, I tell you, you will be asking for second helpings!
    • Makes for a healthy, balanced, and filling meal plus, it is totally made without meat!
    • It is adaptable! This githeri recipe uses potatoes and carrots but you can add in your favorite seasonal vegetables! Boiled peanuts, green peas, and chickpeas are just a few examples of what you can use.
    • Once you have boiled the maize and beans, then you basically have yourself an easy and quick one-pot dish!

    ingredients

    Traditionally, Githeri is prepared by first boiling beans and corn kernels, but you can use canned or frozen maize or beans, for convenience.

    Below are the ingredients you will require to make the best Githeri masala (okay, I know it looks like a lot but you most likely have most of these ingredients in your pantry, so no worries at all)! This is just a summary, see the detailed recipe card below for the complete recipe.

    A photo showing ingredients needed to make githeri.
    • Medium-sized paprika (also known as bell pepper, or pili pili hoho in Swahili)
    • Chopped fresh cilantro (coriander) or parsley to garnish.
    • cooking oil: I like to use olive oil but go ahead and use your favorite cooking oil, if you prefer.
    • grains: boiled beans and maize (corn kernels).
    • other vegetables: crushed garlic and ginger, one large chopped onion (feel free to use yellow or red onion), diced tomatoes, potatoes, a medium-sized carrot, chopped paprika (bell pepper, also known as pili pili hoho in Swahili).
    • some tomato paste.
    • seasoning: curry and cumin powder (optional), turmeric powder (also optional), garam masala, salt, one stock cube (such as Maggi or Knorr).
    • liquids: some water.
    • garnish: chopped fresh cilantro (coriander) to garnish.

    how to cook githeri

    Okay, let us now make the best masala-flavored Kenyan Githeri with potatoes!

    A photo collage showing how to make Githeri.
    • Heat cooking oil in a medium-sized pot or pan. Add the garlic and fry until fragrant. Fry for about one minute, taking care not to burn then stir in the ginger.
    • Add the chopped onion and cook until it is slightly browned and fragrant then add in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, curry and cumin powder, salt, and turmeric. Stir to combine.
    • Next, add the potatoes, paprika (bell pepper), stock cube, and water, then stir. Cover and allow it to cook for about 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are slightly tender, but not entirely cooked through. Make sure to stir from time to time.
    • Finally, add the boiled corn kernels (or maize), boiled beans, and garam masala then combine. Garnish with some chopped coriander (cilantro), serve and enjoy while still hot!

    serving suggestions

    Serve your Githeri with some sliced avocado, Tangawizi chai, or some Kenyan beef stew, as a non-vegan alternative.

    useful tips

    • The best varieties of beans to use are the small to medium-sized varieties that boil dark, such as red kidney beans.
    • Use fleshy and extremely ripe tomatoes as they cook more quicker.
    • Variations - while this masala-spiced Githeri recipe uses potatoes and onions, you can alternatively use your own favorite additions, such as some sliced white cabbage, sukuma wiki, boiled peanuts, or green peas. Feel free to use your preferred spice combinations! You can also garnish it with some grated carrots, for some sweetness and crunch.
    • Refrigeration and freezing - store cooked githeri in a suitable airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days and in the freezer for up to 12 months. Kept in a cool kitchen, it can be kept on the countertop for a day.

    common questions

    Can I use canned corn or beans?

    Yes, it is perfectly fine to use canned maize (corn) or beans to make Githeri. Just make sure to properly rinse the liquid that holds the grains in the can, before cooking.

    Is Githeri carbohydrate-rich?

    Because of the corn and potatoes normally used in making Githeri, it is high in carbs. However, this is not the end of the story as it also contains beans, which are rich in protein. Cooked with vegetables such as carrots and potatoes, it makes for a healthy balanced meal that you can moderately incorporate into your diet. Having said this, always consult your nutritionist or healthcare practitioner, for proper dietary advice. Githeri is also naturally gluten-free.

    A plate of Kenyan githeri, with some coriander (cilantro) in the background.

    more African dishes to try

    Made this or any of my recipes? Tag me @paleolowcarbkate on Instagram, save on Pinterest, or like on Facebook for the latest updates! Don't forget to subscribe to my Youtube channel or our Newsletter for regular recipe notifications!

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    Great news, you have made it this far which means you probably made or are making this recipe! It would go a long way if you could leave a ⭐rating on the recipe card or comment in the comments section below.

    Feel free to follow me on my social channels! Tag me @weeatatlast (formerly paleolowcarbkate) on Instagram, pin it on Pinterest, or like my Facebook for the latest updates! Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel or Newsletter for regular recipe notifications!

    A plate of Githeri, garnished with cilantro or coriander.

    The Best Githeri Recipe

    Kate Hahnel
    The best Githeri recipe! Combining the flavors of garam masala, curry powder, fresh tomatoes, and potatoes along with other tasty ingredients, this slightly spicy Kenyan githeri recipe made without meat will blow you away!
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    0 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
    Cuisine East African, Kenyan
    Servings 5
    Calories 439 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 tablespoon cooking oil (use your favorite cooking oil).
    • 2 cups boiled maize (corn kernels)
    • 4 cups boiled beans (see the recipe notes below)
    • 5 cloves crushed garlic
    • 1 tablespoon crushed ginger
    • 1 large chopped onion (use yellow or red onion).
    • 3 tomatoes (diced )
    • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
    • 1 teaspoon curry powder (use more, or less, to taste)
    • ½ teaspoon cumin powder (optional)
    • ¾ teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
    • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder (optional)
    • 5 large potatoes (cubed)
    • 1 chopped carrot
    • 2 chopped paprika (bell pepper) (also known as pili pili hoho, in Swahili)
    • 1 stock cube (such as Maggi or Knorr)
    • ½ cup water
    • 1 teaspoon garam masala
    • 1 small bunch chopped fresh cilantro (coriander) to garnish

    Instructions
     

    • Heat cooking oil in a medium-sized pot or pan. Add the garlic and fry until fragrant. Fry for about one minute, taking care not to burn then stir in the ginger.
      3 tablespoon cooking oil, 1 tablespoon crushed ginger, 5 cloves crushed garlic
    • Add the chopped onion and cook until it is slightly browned and fragrant then add in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, curry powder, cumin powder, salt, and turmeric. Stir to combine.
      1 large chopped onion, 3 tomatoes, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 teaspoon curry powder, ½ teaspoon cumin powder, ½ teaspoon turmeric powder, ¾ teaspoon salt
    • Next, add the potatoes, paprika (bell pepper), stock cube, and water, then stir. Cover and allow it to cook for about 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are slightly tender, but not entirely cooked through. Make sure to stir from time to time.
      5 large potatoes, 2 chopped paprika (bell pepper), 1 stock cube, ½ cup water, 1 chopped carrot
    • Finally, add the boiled corn kernels (or maize), boiled beans, and garam masala. Garnish with some chopped coriander (cilantro), serve and enjoy while still hot!
      2 cups boiled maize (corn kernels), 4 cups boiled beans, 1 teaspoon garam masala, 1 small bunch chopped fresh cilantro (coriander)

    Video

    Notes

    • The best varieties of beans to use are the small to medium-sized varieties that boil dark, such as red kidney beans.
    • Use fleshy and extremely ripe tomatoes as they cook quicker.
    • Variations - while this masala-spiced Githeri recipe uses potatoes and onions, you can alternatively use your favorite additions, such as some sliced white cabbage, sukuma wiki, boiled peanuts, or green peas. Also, feel free to use your preferred spice combinations!
    • Refrigeration and freezing - store cooked Githeri in a suitable airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days and in the freezer for up to 12 months. Kept in a cool kitchen, it can be kept on the countertop for a day.
     
    Nutritional Information:
    • Nutritional information is considered an estimate, based on external tools that this website uses. It will vary, depending on the products you use. It is your responsibility make sure the ingredients fit your dietary needs as well as calculate your own nutritional information.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 439kcalCarbohydrates: 76gProtein: 14gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 720mgPotassium: 1670mgFiber: 12gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 700IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? I would love it if you could leave a rating by clicking on the stars above on this recipe card.or simply PIN on Pinterest for later!!

    Let's keep the conversation going, let me know in the comments section below how your Githeri masala turned out. Perhaps you have tips to share? We are a community and I absolutely love hearing from you!!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sara

      January 31, 2022 at 2:06 am

      5 stars
      Great flavour, nice heat without too much spice, loved this recipe.

      Reply
      • Kate Hahnel

        January 31, 2022 at 11:47 am

        Thanks very much. I made sure to keep it mildly spicy. I am glad you enjoyed it.

        Reply
    2. Andrea

      January 31, 2022 at 12:57 am

      5 stars
      This is such a flavor packed meal. Will be perfect for Meatless Monday!!

      Reply
      • Kate Hahnel

        January 31, 2022 at 11:46 am

        Certainly! It is a balanced meal as it is.

        Reply
    3. Irena

      January 31, 2022 at 12:21 am

      5 stars
      Fantastic flavours, really up my alley as I love garlic, spices etc. Great dish for making ahead of time, too. We made a big batch and I stashed a container in the freezer for another dinner.

      Reply
      • Kate Hahnel

        January 31, 2022 at 11:45 am

        You nailed it! Actually, that is the way we make it back in Kenya. Githeri is normally batch-made and frozen for later! Thanks very much for trying it out!

        Reply
    4. AISilva

      January 30, 2022 at 10:03 pm

      5 stars
      I've never tried making githeri before, but your best kenyan githeri recipe sounds so delicious, I can't wait to make it. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Kate Hahnel

        January 31, 2022 at 11:44 am

        Let me know how it goes!

        Reply
    5. Elaine

      January 30, 2022 at 10:02 pm

      5 stars
      This is one of those recipes that I have never tried yet. Super surprised and excited at the same time!

      Reply
      • Kate Hahnel

        January 31, 2022 at 11:43 am

        It is a very simple and nutritious vegan dish. I hope you liked it!

        Reply

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