Simmered Kenyan Sukuma Wiki with Tomatoes and Onions

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A traditional Kenyan side dish featuring collard greens slowly cooked with fresh tomatoes and onions for a flavorful and nutritious vegetable option. This african-inspired vegetarian ready in about 30 minutes pairs chopped collard greens (sukuma wiki), medium, diced ripe tomatoes, large, thinly sliced red onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 80 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 African cuisine 80 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 large thinly sliced red onion, sauté for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and the onions soften.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 diced medium ripe tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the tomatoes break down and form a saucy base.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 300 g chopped collard greens (sukuma wiki) and 100 ml water, cover the skillet and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the greens are tender.
  4. Step 4: Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, mix well and cook uncovered for another 2 minutes until excess liquid evaporates and flavors meld.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Simmered Kenyan Sukuma Wiki with Tomatoes and Onions take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Simmered Kenyan Sukuma Wiki with Tomatoes and Onions?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep medium, diced ripe tomatoes from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Simmered Kenyan Sukuma Wiki with Tomatoes and Onions?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Simmered Kenyan Sukuma Wiki with Tomatoes and Onions for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Simmered Kenyan Sukuma Wiki with Tomatoes and Onions?

African vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.