Refreshing, tasty and delicious is the only way to describe this kachumbari, onion and tomato salad side dish that pairs well with grilled meats. This salad is super fast and easy to make and is rich and flavorful and amazing deliciousness.

Affiliate links may be used in this post. I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you use my affiliate link. Read my full disclosure policy here.

The Best Salad Recipe

Kachumbari is a Swahili name which means Onion and Tomato Salad which is very popular in East Africa and is a common side dish served most commonly served with Nyama Choma.

What is Kachumbari made of? Kachumbari is a simple salad recipe made from onions, tomato and additional ingredients like Vinegar or lemon juice, chilli peppers , cilantro or avocado.

Why you will love this Kachumbari East African Salad recipe

• Super fast and easy to make.
• Tasty and delicious.
• The perfect side dish for meaty dishes.
• Very refreshing.

Ingredients

• 1 red onion thinly sliced into rings
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 large tomatoes
• 2 tbsp of vinegar

Kitchen tools you will need

• Sieve – to drain water from the soaked onions to remove the pungent taste from them

• Chopping board – to dice all your ingredients on

• Bowl – to serve and store the kachumbari

How To Make This Salad Recipe

The most crucial step to make this salad perfect is to remove the pungent bite from the onions by soaking them in hot water about three times.

Boil about three cups of hot water and while the water is boiling; slice your onions into round thin slices and after the water has boiled, soak the onions in the hot water and add some salt for about 2 to 3 minutes and then drain the water from the onions through a sieve and repeat this twice.

Slice you tomatoes into thin round slices and place them in a bowl and add the onions that have been soaked in water and drained and then add salt and vinegar and then mix everything together. I recommend using a bowl that has a lid so that you can mix everything together and also for easier storage of leftovers.

Instructions

• Boil 2 cups of water and then Cut your onions into thin round slices.
• After the water has boiled, place the onions in a bowl and add some of the water to the onions, just enough to cover the onions and add some salt and let this sit for a few minutes. Drain the water through a sieve and repeat this another 2 times to remove the pungent taste from the onions.
• Cut your tomatoes also into thin round slices and place in a bowl.
• Add your soaked onions to the tomatoes and add salt and vinegar. Mix everything together.
• Serve and enjoy.

Variations

There are very many ways you can play around with this Kachumbari recipe by adding more toppings of your choice. Some examples include;

• Add avocadoes
• Add chilli peppers to make it spicy
• Add cilantro to add more flavor

What to serve with

This is a salad recipe that you can serve with virtually any dish you wish. Some few examples include;

• Peri peri fries
• Honey Chilli Chicken
• Nyama choma which is a Kenyan Version of grilled lamb meat
• Smoked Sausages
• Bhajia
• Pilau

How to store

To store this Kenyan tomato and onion salad, keep in an airtight container, preferably the same bowl that you served with in the fridge for just a day.

Extra tips for the best kachumbari

• Use ripe tomatoes to make this salad for a better taste.
• Keep the onion and tomato salad in the fridge for about 20 minutes before serving.
• Do not skip soaking the onions in the hot water with salt for at least two times to remove the pungent taste.

Did you try out this kachumbari recipe? Let me know down in the comments below

Other amazing recipes to check out

• The Best Caramelized French Onion Dip Recipe
• Kenyan Masala Chips
• The Best Beef Curry Recipe
• How to cook Mushrooms on the Stove

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

The Best Kachumbari {Number 1 Onion and Tomato Salad Recipe}

Author: balancedhealthymeals Recipe Keys: K kachumbari O onion and tomato salad

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 15 min Total Time 15 mins Servings: 3 Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Description

Refreshing, tasty and delicious is the only way to describe this kachumbari, onion and tomato salad side dish that pairs well with grilled meats. This salad is super fast and easy to make and is rich and flavorful and amazing deliciousness

Ingredients

Servings

• 1 red onion (sliced into thin round slices)
• 2 tomatoes (sliced into thin round slices)
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Boil 2 cups of water and then Cut your onions into thin round slices.

2. After the water has boiled, place the onions in a bowl and add some of the water to the onions, just enough to cover the onions and add some salt and let this sit for a few minutes. Drain the water through a sieve and repeat this another 2 times to remove the pungent taste from the onions.

3. Cut your tomatoes also into thin round slices and place in a bowl.

4. Add your soaked onions to the tomatoes and add salt and vinegar. Mix everything together.

5. Serve and enjoy.

Note

• Use ripe tomatoes to make this salad for a better taste.
• Keep the onion and tomato salad in the fridge for about 20 minutes before serving.
• Do not skip soaking the onions in the hot water with salt for at least two times to remove the pungent taste.

Keywords: Kachumbari, Onion and Tomato Salad