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sukuma wiki - ugandan greens

15 Minute Sukuma Wiki (Ugandan Greens)

This simple sukuma wiki recipe is a staple in many Ugandan homes, including ours. It’s quick, affordable, and full of flavor—made with just a handful of ingredients and ready in 15 minutes.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Side Dish, vegetables
Cuisine: Ugandan
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large bunch sukuma wiki collard greens
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 2-3 tomatoes chopped (or 2 tbsp tomato paste)
  • 2-3 cloves garlic minced (optional but really good)
  • 2-3 tbsp cooking oil
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper optional
  • A splash of water or chicken/vegetable stock

Method
 

  1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
  2. Add onions and cook until soft and lightly golden.
  3. Add garlic (if using) and stir for about 30 seconds.
  4. Add tomatoes (or tomato paste) and cook until they break down into a soft sauce.
  5. Add sukuma wiki and stir well so it wilts into the tomato mixture.
  6. Add a small splash of water/stock, cover, and let it simmer 5–10 minutes until tender.
  7. Season with salt and pepper. Stir, taste, and adjust.

Notes

Optional upgrades (if you feel like it)
  • Add a pinch of curry powder or paprika for warmth
  • Toss in a bit of butter at the end for richness

Emily’s Notes

Sukuma wiki is one of those recipes that proves the simplest meals are often the most satisfying. After moving back to Uganda, it quickly became a regular part of our weekly meals because it’s affordable, nutritious, and comes together in just a few minutes.

I love how versatile it is. We serve it alongside beans, lentils, rice, posho, or chicken, and it always adds a fresh, flavorful touch to the meal. It’s also a great way to use up leafy greens before they need to be cooked.

If you’ve never made sukuma wiki before, don’t overthink it. With just a handful of everyday ingredients, you’ll have a delicious side dish that has been bringing families around the table for generations.

A warm kitchen setting with linens and wooden decor on a stool.

Pull Up a Chair

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turns out. Leave a comment below and let me know what you served it with. Some of our best dinner ideas have come from conversations around the table.

From Our Kitchen Notebook

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If you’re looking for a flexible, weeknight-friendly dinner, this one is definitely worth keeping in your rotation.
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A Little About Me

I’m Emily — a wife, mom of three, and home cook who believes some of life’s best conversations happen around the table.

Our family moved back to Uganda after more than a decade away, and our kitchen has become a place where old favorites, new flavors, and everyday moments come together. Here, I share the recipes we actually make for our family—from homemade bread and simple weeknight dinners to treats worth baking again and again.

I’m so glad you stopped by. I hope you find something your family will love, too.

Meet Our Family →

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If you’d like more family recipes, ordinary moments, and stories from life here in Uganda, we’d love to have you around the table.

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Made with love,

Emily

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