Nshima: The heart of Zambian Cuisine, staple food in Zambia

By Azure Lee | Update on: May 23, 2025

Zambia is renowned for its substantial, inventive and nutritious cuisine that not only satisfies the body but also uplifts the soul!

You always see traditional Zambian meals with nshima, a staple food in African food. Ground maize flour is used to make this daily dietary necessity. A smooth, substantial porridge is produced by adding the flour to boiling salted water and stirring while cooking. It needs to be sufficiently rigid to hold its shape when shaped. A range of side dishes, including relishes, meat stews, seafood, vegetables and beans, are then offered alongside this hearty dish. 

Here's everything you need to know about nshima, a dish you definitely cannot miss on your next trip to Zambia.

What is Nshima?

Nshima is a thick corn porridge that is consumed with vegetables and seafood. Using your right hand, roll the nshima into a ball and dip it into the accompanying dishes. The most popular ingredient is maize, although depending on the location, it is also traditionally produced from millet, sorghum and cassava. Nshima has the enchanted capacity to make one feel full, yet it does not contain much nutrients other than carbs to make people feel full. For a well-rounded and diverse meal, enjoying the Nshima and relish combination is essential.

To make nshima, people in rural areas cultivate their own crops. To plant, fertilize and weed, they excavate hectares of land by hand. People put forth a lot of labor. Nshima is said to provide amaka or power and it does provide a lot of carbohydrates.

Nshima is a thick corn porridge that is consumed with vegetables and seafood

Health benefits of Nshima: Is it good for you?

Nshima gives carbs, a primary source of energy. It has fiber and other key things your body needs. But, Nshima is mostly carbs and should be had with good vegetables and meat sides for a well-rounded meal.

Is Nshima good for weight loss?

If you eat it in small amounts and add good sides, Nshima can fit into a good meal plan. But, since it has a lot of carbs, it's key to watch how much you eat and pick sides that are low in fat and have lots of veggies and protein.

How to make Nshima

1. Fill a big pot with cold water (two and a half cups for every cup of cornmeal). Bring to the boil over high heat.
2. Once the water is warm, add around half of the cornmeal gradually, one spoonful at a time, while swirling constantly with a firm wooden spoon. Stirring constantly, keep cooking until the mixture starts to bubble and boil. Cook for a few minutes after lowering the heat to medium.
3. Continue to stir and add the remaining cornmeal, spoonful by spoonful, while cooking the mixture over medium heat. Stirring constantly is crucial; if creating a big batch, one person may need to hold the pot while another uses two hands to stir.
4. The nshima should be smooth (no lumps) and extremely thick (no liquid left). It might get to this stage before adding the last of the cornmeal to the saucepan or it might require adding even more cornmeal than this recipe requires.
5. Before serving, let the nshima stand for a few minutes after the appropriate consistency is achieved, cover the pot and turn off the heat. Serve nshima hot right away with your preferred relish (ndiwo).
6. Tear off pieces of nshima with clean hands, then use them to scoop up the ndiwo.

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How to make nshima

How to store leftover nshima?

You can keep leftover nshima in the fridge for up to three days. The nshima can be reheated by adding a little water to a pot and boiling it until the water evaporates. It will get hotter and softer, but it will not always taste like newly prepared nshima. It can also be heated on a braai grill stand, in a microwave or on a grill. "Chimbala" is the name for leftover nshima.

Some variations of nshima

Although cooking nshima is typically white maize, different varieties are also prepared using yellow or a combination of white and yellow maize meal. To get a distinct texture, some people could also decide to use different kinds of flour, including sorghum or cassava flour. Two distinct varieties, known as Breakfast and Roller Meal, are also produced by grinding maize.  It is thought that roller meals have more fiber.

Some variations of nshima

Best side dishes for Nshima

Basic side dishes are typically prepared with a lot of salt and vegetable oil. The majority of side dishes are very similar to foods that people all over the world are accustomed to eating.

• Fish
• Kapenta (salted tiny fish)
• Chicken
• Eggs
• Goat
• Various greens (pumpkin leaves, lepu [a bitter brassica leafy green], sweet potato leaves, amaranth, cabbage, bean leaves)
• Beans
• Okra
• Ifisashi – Peanut sauce with greens
• Because cows are so common in the south, people occasionally eat nshima with sour milk.

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Can Nshima be made with other types of flour?

It is possible to make nshima with other kinds of flour, such as millet flour, sorghum flour, cassava flour or a mix of these. These flours are frequently called millet meal, sorghum meal or cassava meal. Compared to regular flours, they are not as fine. However, maize meal is still the most popular kind of flour used to produce traditional Zambian Nshima.

Basic side dishes are typically prepared with a lot of salt and vegetable oil

Where to eat Nshima in Zambia

You can find Nshima everywhere in Zambia, from street food stalls to high-end restaurants. For an authentic experience, visit local markets and family-run eateries, where you can enjoy traditional Zambian Nshima prepared with time-honored recipes. Some restaurants also offer modern twists on Nshima dishes.

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Final thoughts about Nshima

One of Africa's biggest states, Zambia is a popular safari and holiday destination on the continent. Zambia provides everything you need for a genuine safari experience, including vast water bodies, a wealth of varied animals and breathtaking landscapes.

Trying the many delicious local dishes in general and the traditional nshima dish of Zambian cuisine in particular will enrich your holiday or safari.

Now that you have essential information about visas, you can start planning your memorable trip to Zambia! Depending on your nationality, you may require a visa to enter the country, so make sure to verify the visa requirements before your trip. Many nationalities have the option to get a visa upon arrival, while some can visit Zambia visa-free for tourism. However, certain nationalities must secure a visa beforehand. To ensure a smooth entry into Zambia, we advise you to apply for a Zambia e-visa via our website. Our easy-to-use platform makes the application process straightforward, offering step-by-step guidance and support to help you obtain your visa promptly and effectively.