Kenyan Ugali and matumbo JEFE
Kenyan Ugali and matumbo JEFE is a medium Kenyan recipe that serves 4. 520 calories per serving. Recipe by El JEFE food👌 on YouTube.
Prep: 20 min | Cook: 1 hr | Total: 1 hr 35 min
Cost: $10.60 total, $2.65 per serving
Ingredients
- 2 cups Cornmeal (fine maize flour for ugali)
- 4 cups Water (for ugali and boiling matumbo)
- 1 lb Beef Tripe (Matumbo) (cleaned and cut into chunks)
- 2 cups Managu (African Spinach) (roughly chopped)
- 3 medium Ripe Tomatoes (thinly sliced)
- 1 large Yellow Onion (thinly sliced)
- 1 large Green Bell Pepper (julienned)
- 3 cloves Garlic (thinly sliced)
- 1 small Red Chili (finely chopped (adjust heat to taste))
- 1 cube Beef Bouillon Cube (for depth of flavor)
- 2 tablespoons Cooking Oil (vegetable or sunflower oil)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Coriander (chopped)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black Pepper
Instructions
Prepare Ingredients
Wash the matumbo thoroughly, cut into bite‑size chunks, and set aside. Thinly slice the tomatoes, onion, green bell pepper, and garlic. Roughly chop the managu and coriander.
Time: PT15M
Boil Matumbo
Place the matumbo chunks in a large pot, cover with water, add a pinch of salt, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook until the tripe is tender when pierced with a fork.
Time: PT45M
Temperature: boiling
Drain and Set Aside
When tender, drain the matumbo and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
Time: PT5M
Fry Matumbo
Heat 2 Tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium‑high heat. Add the boiled matumbo and fry until the pieces turn golden brown on all sides.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: medium-high
Sauté Onions
Add the sliced onions to the skillet with the fried matumbo and sauté until the onions are softened and translucent.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: medium
Cook Tomatoes
Add the sliced tomatoes to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until they break down into a thick paste and the raw acidity evaporates.
Time: PT10M
Temperature: medium
Season the Sauce
Stir in salt, black pepper, chopped red chili, and crumble the beef bouillon cube. Mix well to incorporate.
Time: PT2M
Simmer Sauce
Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer, allowing flavors to meld and the liquid to thicken slightly.
Time: PT10M
Temperature: low
Prepare Managu Mix
In a separate pan, heat a little oil, sauté a portion of the sliced onions, add the remaining tomatoes and cook to a paste, then add the chopped managu. Cover briefly to steam, season with salt, and cook until the greens are wilted and tender.
Time: PT10M
Temperature: medium
Add Bell Pepper and Coriander
Stir in the julienned green bell pepper and cook for 1‑2 minutes. Remove from heat and fold in the chopped fresh coriander.
Time: PT3M
Make Ugali
Bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil in a pot. Gradually whisk in the cornmeal, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Reduce heat to low and continue stirring and pounding until the ugali pulls away from the sides of the pot and is smooth and firm.
Time: PT10M
Temperature: boiling
Plate and Serve
Mound a portion of ugali on each plate, top with the managu mixture, and spoon the golden‑brown matumbo sauce over it. Garnish with extra coriander if desired. Serve hot.
Time: PT2M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 520
- Protein
- 20g
- Carbohydrates
- 70g
- Fat
- 15g
- Fiber
- 5g
Dietary info: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Halal-friendly
Allergens: Corn
Last updated: April 19, 2026






