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Dibi

Lamb or mutton grilled hot over charcoal, chopped, and tossed with raw onion, mustard, and chili, eaten with bread — Senegal's smoky grilled-meat street tradition. The Senegambian fire-cooked meat that stands beside Black American barbecue.

Compiled by APEX Legacy from published research and documented food history, under the editorial direction of Jonathan Jackson, Founder. How we write and review these pages →

Why it is ours

The dibiterie — the grilled-meat shop — is a fixture of Senegalese nightlife and community, where dibi is shared late into the evening over bread and onion. Sheep and lamb hold deep cultural and religious significance, especially at Tabaski (Eid al-Adha).

What it does

Lamb is one of the richest dietary sources of bioavailable heme iron and zinc — addressing the iron-deficiency anemia common in Black women and the immune and reproductive roles of zinc. Grilled over flame with the fat allowed to drip away, it is a leaner preparation than fried or stewed meat. Dressed with raw onion (a prebiotic and a source of quercetin) and mustard rather than heavy sauce, it keeps added sugar and oil out.

How it is cooked

Grill seasoned lamb or mutton (often on the bone) hot and fast over charcoal until charred outside and juicy within. Chop, then toss with thinly sliced raw onion, mustard, lime, and chili. Eat with bread or over salad. Trim heavy fat and avoid charring to a blackened crust to limit char compounds.

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