Chakalaka Seasoning is a salt-free, MSG-free spice blend with its roots in South Africa. It is also called chakalaka spice mix, chakalaka spices, South African spice blend, or chakalaka spice blend. It closely resembles a conventional curry powder in its flavor and usage. 

The inspiration for this seasoning is a dish called—what else?—chakalaka. This highly-seasoned side dish is also used as a relish or a meat-free main, but South Africans insist that no braai—barbecue—is complete without it.

Businesses interested in this blend include:

• sauce, marinade, snack, and nut manufacturers;
• vegan or vegetarian and African restaurants;
• food trucks;
• catering companies;
• seasoning companies; and 
• independent spice shops

Flavor Profile

Chakalaka Seasoning is warm, woodsy, earthy, and complex, balanced with spicy chiles and pungent clove.

How To Use

First, make the spicy vegetarian Chakalaka dish for which this seasoning was named! Or try it with cheese. We believed in this so much we made a hearty Chakalaka Pimento Cheese and put it on crostini, raw vegetables, or as the smear on a smoked turkey sandwich. Swap in Chakalaka when you make butter-drizzled Curried Grilled Clams, and you’ll see that it’s great for snacks when you use it to make Curry Coconut Spiced Cashews. Stir into eggplant that’s been roasted and pureed for a South African take on Baba Ghanoush. 

This blend is delicious on beans, chicken, fish, lentils, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and with cheese, creams, rice dishes, and noodles.