If you are looking to make a very simple salad to go as a side to Biriyani or grilled meat or fish, then this Kachumbari or Kenyan Tomato and Onion Salad is the perfect recipe.
For the last day of 'Explore the Southern Hemisphere' I made this very simple and extremely flavorful Kachumbari. I would think of this as a cousin to the Mexican Salsa (Pico de Gallo). Made with basic and refreshing ingredients, this salad is a perfect side to any dish.
Kenyan Tomato and Onion Salad is popular in East Africa, particularly Kenya, but also in Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. When I was chopping the vegetables for the salad, I was thinking of my father who travels to Rwanda and Uganda frequently.
I will be asking him if he had a chance to taste this in any local restaurants. The name sounded very familiar to me and I that is when I realized that the simple Indian mixed salad is called by the name Kachumber and I have already blogged about it.
Since I made the Kachumber with sliced vegetables, I decided to make this chopped. This is a perfect summer salad to use the garden fresh produce. I have used cucumbers, tomatoes and onions. Sometimes cabbage is also used in the salad and so is avocado.
Depending on what you feel like, feel free to add or take away any vegetable. For the Indian Kachumber, I also added some bell pepper in the salad. Kachumbari is served as a side with Biriyani or grilled meat or fish. This also can be served as is as a salad.
I always find that in onion based salads, the flavor of onion is a little overwhelming. I learned when researching about this recipe to soak the onion in salt water to cut down on the strong flavor. This tip is very useful when making a dish with raw onions.
Also check out my other two recipes that I made for 'Explore the Southern Hemisphere' theme -
Pão de Queijo | Brazilian Cheese Bread
Lolo Buns | Fijian Coconut Buns
Preparation time - 10 minutes
Cooking time - None
Difficulty level - Easy
Recipe adapted from - Curious Cuisiniere
Ingredients to make Kachumbari - Serves 4
- Red Onion - ½ cup (chopped)
- Tomato - 3 (chopped)
- Cucumber - 1 cup (chopped)
- Green chili - 1 teaspoon (finely chopped, optional)
- Cilantro - 2 tablespoon (chopped)
- Salt - to taste
- Lemon juice - 2 to 3 TBSP
Procedure to make Kenyan Tomato and Onion Salad
- Chop the onion and add about a teaspoon of salt. Rub it between your fingers and soak it in cold water for about 10 minutes or until you chop the rest of the vegetables for the salad. This step helps in cutting down the sharp onion flavor. It is optional, but really helps in cutting down the sharp onion flavor.
- Chop the tomatoes, cucumbers, cilantro and green chili (if using) and place it in a bowl.
- Drain the onions and wash it with running cold water. Add it to the rest of the ingredients and season with salt needed. Add the lemon juice and mix well.
- Serve right away with any main course or as a salad.
If you made this recipe and liked it, give a star rating on the recipe card or let me know in the comments below. You could also share it with me on Instagram using #MyCookingJourney and tagging me @sandhya.ramakrishnan. You could follow me and my recipes on Facebook |Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter/X
Recipe
Kachumbari | Kenyan Tomato and Onion Salad
Ingredients
- ½ cup Red Onion chopped
- 3 Tomato chopped
- 1 cup Cucumber chopped
- 1 teaspoon Green chili finely chopped, optional
- 2 tablespoon Cilantro chopped
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoon Lemon juice
Instructions
- Chop the onion and add about a teaspoon of salt. Rub it between your fingers and soak it in cold water for about 10 minutes or until you chop the rest of the vegetables for the salad. This step helps in cutting down the sharp onion flavor. It is optional, but really helps in cutting down the sharp onion flavor.
- Chop the tomatoes, cucumbers, cilantro and green chili (if using) and place it in a bowl.
- Drain the onions and wash it with running cold water. Add it to the rest of the ingredients and season with salt needed. Add the lemon juice and mix well.
- Serve right away with any main course or as a salad.
Kamau says
Well defined process and easy to follow with little room for error. Definitely recommend.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Thanks a lot Kamau and glad you liked the recipe.
Darcy says
Is it okay to make this recipe a few hours or even the night before? Perhaps without the salt?
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Yes. Absolutely. You could follow all the steps, except the last one where you add salt and lemon juice. Do that before serving.
Natalie says
That salad sounds so refreshing. It's super easy to make and perfect for summer. I'll be definitely making this. Can't wait. Sounds really delicious.
Jo says
I make Indian version of this salad very regularly at home and totally love it. Kenyan version sounds interesting
Danielle says
I was detrmined to try a few types of Biryani very soon so this salad recipe came just in time. It will be a great side to one of the Biryanis I am going to make - no doubts.
Denay DeGuzman says
I love the simplicity and beauty of this healthy and delicious tomato onion salad. This is perfect for Memorial Day Weekend BBQs, and a great salad to add to the weekly meal rotation.
Ramona says
This is my favourite salad ever. So simple to make and versatile - I love the combination and I could have this all day everyday for sure 😉
Chef Mireille says
This basic and easy salad is delicious to accompany any meal I am sure.
Suma Gandlur says
That is one lovely tip to cut down the sharpness of raw onions. That kachumbari looks colorful and inviting with simple flavors.
Srivalli Jetti says
Sandhya, before reading the post, I thought you were writing about our Kachumbar only, I looked at the title later...nice one and sounds so refreshing right..enjoyed your theme this week.
Swati says
This refreshing salad will go well with dal chawal or khichdi!! so simple and flavourful!!
Pavani says
That is such a refreshing and healthy salad. Love the tip to soak salted onion in water to tame the sharpness of onion - I am not a big fan of raw onion, so this is a great idea.
Gayathri Kumar says
Such an easy breezy salad. Really fresh and perfect side for rice or any mains. It is so colourful too.
harini says
Very inviting salad with simple flavors, Sandhya. I like the tip about reducing the sharp onion flavor.
Srividhya Gopalakrishnan says
This salad goes well with any meal. Very nice. I have a similar one coming up for the Southern Hemisphere. 🙂
Priya Suresh says
Looks excellent and very pleasant to eyes. Absolutely fabulous.. Lovely medley of vegetables there..