Seswaa
Seswaa from Botswana. Times were inferred from the source steps.
Imported from TheMealDB. Times and card copy were filled in for this listing, not kitchen-tested.
0 people cooked this in the public kitchen yet. Kitchen-tested by I Want Some Food. Not a purchased rating.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 8 hr
- Total
- 8 hr 15 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Spice
- No chilli
- Cost
- Weeknight budget$8–16 USD · indicative, not a store price

About
Pre heat the oven to 160 degrees Celsius. Cut the meat into large chunks then brown in a dish suitable for slow cooking in the oven such as a cast iron casserole dish. Add the whole peeled onion, salt, cracked black pepper, water and bay leaves. Bring to the boil then cover and place into the oven for 4 hours.
Ingredients
Scaling multiplies the written quantities. Baking still prefers a scale.
Steps
Step 1
Pre heat the oven to 160 degrees Celsius. Cut the meat into large chunks then brown in a dish suitable for slow cooking in the oven such as a cast iron casserole dish.
Step 2
Add the whole peeled onion, salt, cracked black pepper, water and bay leaves. Bring to the boil then cover and place into the oven for 4 hours.
240 minStep 3
After 4 hours, remove from oven and place onto the stove burner in order to cook off most of the remaining liquid. Use a wooden spoon to pound or mash up the meat, the meat should fall apart quite easily.
240 minStep 4
and will appear shredded. You may brown the meat further if desired.
Step 5
Check seasoning then serve with polenta or the more traditional thick cornmeal porridge known as pap or sadza, and a side of green vegetables.
Adapt this recipe
The canonical recipe stays intact. Personal versions are labelled. Serving changes are maths, not AI.
Adaptations · 0 / 15 used. Resets 24 August.
Substitutions
beef → tofu
Marinated tofu or mushrooms can take the savoury role. Label the plate as a vegetarian adaptation.
onion → shallot
Shallots are sweeter. Use the same volume, or a little extra onion if that is what you have.
Tips
- Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.
History & culture
Editorial cultural notes have not been written for this imported dish.
Editorial history has not been written for this imported dish.
Inspired by
Provenance: Imported. Initial recipe data sourced from TheMealDB and adapted/reviewed by I Want Some Food. Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.
Questions about this recipe
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips — not a chatbot.
How long does Seswaa take?
8 hr 15 min all in — 15 min prep, 8 hr cook. That is the time on this recipe, not a guess.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
Easy.
How spicy is it?
No chilli.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Nut-free.
What does it cost to cook?
Weeknight budget — about $8–16 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Oven, Dutch oven, Mortar and pestle.
How much salt do I put in?
The recipe lists Salt at to taste.
What can I use instead?
beef → tofu. Marinated tofu or mushrooms can take the savoury role. Label the plate as a vegetarian adaptation. onion → shallot. Shallots are sweeter. Use the same volume, or a little extra onion if that is what you have.
Any tips from this recipe?
Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.

