Chakalaka — Ad-Free Recipe, Ingredients First

Chakalaka is built on grated carrot and curry powder cooked into a tomato base, with baked beans stirred in at the end for body. Grate the carrot so it softens fast and melts into the sauce. Cook the curry powder in oil before the vegetables or it tastes raw and dusty.

The Ingredients — and where to get them

Cook for 6 servings

Baked beans

Canned baked beans in tomato sauce stirred in at the end give the relish its body.

15 oz

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Canned tomatoes

Chopped tomatoes form the base that carries the curry and vegetables.

14 oz

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Curry powder

The defining spice; cook it in oil first so it blooms and loses the raw edge.

1 tbsp

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Olive oil

For frying the curry powder and softening the vegetables.

3 tbsp

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Carrot, pepper, onion

Coarsely grated carrot and diced pepper and onion; the carrot is what makes it chakalaka.

3 carrots

Carrot → Onion →

The Rundown

Greedometer ●●●●● Squeaky clean

About as virtuous as dinner gets.

EffortSome doing

Cook it with

Instant PotSlow cookerOne-pot

The Method

Bloom curryFry onion in oil until soft, add curry powder and chili, and cook 2 min until fragrant.
Soften vegAdd diced pepper and grated carrot and cook 5 min until they start to slump.
SimmerAdd chopped tomatoes and simmer 10 min until thick and jammy.
Fold beansStir in the baked beans, warm through 5 min, and season; serve warm or at room temperature.

The Toolkit

Wide pan · Box grater · Wooden spoon · Can opener

Straight Answers

Can you make Chakalaka in an air fryer? — Yes, with an insert

Not on its own — an air fryer can’t hold a pool of liquid. You can simmer it in an oven-safe dish or a silicone insert made to fit the basket, but the broth won’t reduce or brown the way it does on the stove, and that insert comes out scorching, so use oven mitts. For real depth, a pot on the stove wins.

Can you freeze Chakalaka? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Chakalaka ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.

Is Chakalaka gluten-free? — Yes

Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.

Is Chakalaka vegan? — Yes

Yes — no meat, seafood, dairy, egg, or honey in it as written.

Community Notes

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© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.381

Chakalaka, and where to source it