Ask any Ugandan what they miss most and groundnut sauce — binyebwa — comes up fast. It's the rich, nutty gravy that turns plain matooke or posho into a proper meal. It's Sunday lunch, it's comfort, it's home in a bowl. The good news: it's genuinely easy to make in Dubai once you have the right groundnuts.

What is binyebwa?

It's a smooth, savoury sauce made from ground groundnuts (peanuts), simmered until thick and silky. Some cooks add it to greens, smoked fish or beans; the plain version is the everyday hero. The flavour lives entirely in the nuts, which is why quality matters so much.

Start with real groundnuts

Roasted, salted snack peanuts won't give you the right taste. Use proper raw Ugandan Ground Nuts (AED 32/kg) — sourced from Uganda, where groundnuts are a staple. Grind them fresh into a fine flour, or buy ready groundnut flour if you prefer.

Recipe (serves 4)

Toast 2 cups of groundnuts lightly, then grind to a fine powder. In a pot, mix the powder with about 2 cups of water into a smooth paste — no lumps. Add a chopped tomato and a little onion if you like, bring to a gentle simmer, and stir often so it doesn't catch. Cook 15–20 minutes until thick and the oil just starts to show. Season with salt. That's it — resist the urge to rush it.

What to serve it with

The classic pairing is steamed matooke (green bananas) or posho made from Maganjo maize flour. It's also brilliant over rice or with greens. A spoon of Lato full-cream milk powder stirred in at the end makes it extra creamy — a trick many home cooks swear by.

Stock your Ugandan kitchen

Everything for this meal is in our Uganda collection, with Uganda · Flour & Grains and Uganda · Beans & Legumes for the staples. We deliver across the UAE with cash on delivery.

Frequently asked questions

What are groundnuts vs peanuts? They're the same thing — "groundnuts" is the East African name for raw peanuts used in cooking.

Can I use peanut butter instead? In a pinch, unsweetened natural peanut butter works, but fresh-ground groundnuts give the authentic taste and texture.

What do you eat groundnut sauce with? Traditionally with matooke or posho; also great with rice, greens, beans or smoked fish.

Do you deliver Ugandan groceries in the UAE? Yes — across Dubai and the UAE, cash on delivery available. Order before 1 pm for same-day dispatch.