Egusi Soup (VIDEO)

This African Egusi Soup has almost everything you can ask for! Above all, it has meat, fish, vegetables, and the perfect seasoning. Slow-cook this dish to have the best meal yet!

What is egus soup made of? Egusi soup is named after the melon seeds, egusi used to thicken and flavor it. This Nigerian dish typically includes assorted meat, such as beef, meat organs – liver, heart, lungs, strip, intestine, cow foot, cow nose, and cow foot and seafood – stock fish. It is a staple in Nigerian cuisine and can vary in ingredients and preparation depending on the region.

This will surely be one of the best soups and stews you can serve for weekends and celebrations!

How to Make Egusi Soup

The Egusi Soup may look intricate, but I’m sure you’ll find it easy to cook! 

Ingredients

Melon seeds

Melon seeds, also called Egusi, are the dish’s main ingredient. They give the dish tremendous flavor and rich texture and thicken the soup. 

Smoked mackerel

This mackerel has a mild, sweet taste and flaky texture that blends well with the soup’s consistency. I love using mackerel in my cooking. For instance, I like using it in making Moi Moi, Fish Rolls, and Egg Omelet Toas!

Smoked turkey

This turkey’s savory flavor and tender meat enhance the soup’s juicy goodness. It even releases a fragrant aroma that certainly makes the dish more irresistibly appetizing. 

Turkey Pie is also one of my best dishes for turkey recipes!

Assorted meat 

For assorted meat, I recommend shin of beef, cow foot, cow skin, and tripe and more. These are easy to prepare, flavorful, and rich in texture.

Bell peppers

Bell peppers add sweetness, aroma, and consistency to the dish. It is a popular ingredient for egusi soup. Without a doubt, it binds the ingredients together splendidly. 

If you love bell pepper, then I suggest you try my Breakfast Sandwich, Chicken Fried Bulgur, and Chicken Gizzard Stew!

Sweet peppers

Add sweet peppers to complement the natural taste of the meat. They also make a vibrantly colored sauce for a tantalizing dish. These are popular for Jollof Rice, Breakfast Wraps, and Fish Stew!

Tomatoes

Tomatoes add tanginess and a saccharine flavor to any dish. So, they balance the existing flavors of the egusi soup for a lasting, satisfying experience.

Use your leftover tomatoes for One-Pot Spaghetti, No-Cook Pizza Sauce, and Fried Eggs!

Locust beans

Locust beans are flavorful ingredients that can instantly improve the quality of soup. They also have a unique taste that surprisingly gives it an almost cheesy taste. 

Onions

Onions can help add the mild spice and pungency you’ll definitely be looking for in an Egusi soup. They also tone down the sweetness of the peppers f or a more unified taste. 

Seasoning

Sea salt and chicken cubes are highly recommended for this recipe because they can stabilize the soup’s dominant flavors and make the meat more flavorful. 

Palm oil

From the ingredients alone, this Egusi soup is just mouthwatering to the very last spoonful! 

In short, can you believe that these are all you need for delicious Egusi Soup? With these simple yet tasteful ingredients, you can bring this African delicacy to your table!

Egusi Soup Video

You can make this! Homemade Egusi Soup takes some time to make because it needs some precooked ingredients, like assorted beef, and mackerel, but it is relatively simple to prepare. One bite and you will understand clearly why this Protein-Rich Egusi Soup is one of our most popular Nigerian recipes.

Directions

1. Slice the bell peppers, sweet peppers, tomatoes, and scotch bonnet using a knife.
2. Use a blender to puree them.
3. Set the sauce aside.
4. Then, blend the onions, assorted meat liquid stock, and egusi soups. Set it aside.
5. Heat palm oil in a frying pan over medium fire.
6. Pour the pepper sauce, cover it, and cook it for 15 minutes.
7. Afterward, add the liquid stock and season it with stock cube, sea salt, and locust beans.
8. Let this cook for another 10 minutes. 
9. Next, pour in the egusi paste.
10. Add the smoked turkey and cook for 5 minutes on low heat.
11. Then, add the assorted meat and simmer for 3 minutes. 
12. For the finishing touches, add the diced onion and the smoked mackerel.
13. Let the dish simmer for another 3 minutes.
14. Serve it in a dish and enjoy the best-tasting Egusi Soup ever!

I’m excited to know how your Egusi Soup turned out so share your experience! 

Tips

How to Select and Store Fresh Ingredients

These fresh ingredients are perfect for making a stellar Egusi soup!

Bell peppers and sweet peppers

Selection. Choose bell and sweet peppers with shiny and smooth skin that feel heavy for their size. They should be free from soft spots or discoloration. 

Storage. Bon Appetit recommends storing peppers in resealable bags to refrigerate for up to 1 week. 

Tomatoes

Selection. The tomato should have vibrantly colored skin without bruises. It should also feel heavy to ensure it’s juicy and fresh. 

Storage. Unripe tomatoes can be stored at room temperature until they ripen. Once ripe, you can store them in resealable bags in the fridge for up to a week. 

How to Cook Mackerel

1. Gut the mackerel, then fold it until the tail reaches the mouth.
2. Secure it with a toothpick. Otherwise, you can leave it as it is.
3. Then, season it with salt.
4. Bake it in a preheated oven at 200°C for 30 minutes. 

Remember to let it cool before breaking it apart into chunks. Add this to the soup, and you’ll love it more!

How to Cook Smoked Turkey

1. Preheat your smoker to 120°C.
2. Grease the aluminum pan with oil before putting the turkey.
3. Fill the turkey cavity with onions and other herbs of your choice and stuff the wings into the cavity.
4. Tie the legs together to seal in the flavors. 
5. Season the turkey.
6. Cook it in the smoker for at least 6 hours, depending on its size.
7. Baste it with broth to prevent it from drying.
8. Once cooked, let it rest for about 15 minutes before serving. 

Aside from a smoker, you can use a slow cooker to smoke the turkey for about 8 hours. 

How to Cook Assorted Meat

This technique will not only yield tender and flavorful meat but also versatile beef stock for other recipes!

1. Put the meat parts in a pot over medium heat. 
2. Add the onions, garlic, curry powder, thyme, stock cubes, and salt, and mix them thoroughly into the meat.
3. Leave it to cook for 20 minutes.
4. Stir it gently to check if the juices have been released.
5. Cook for another 10 minutes. 
6. Once you’re contented with the tenderness, separate the meat from the liquid stock.
7. Store the liquid stock to cook other dishes. 

Egusi Soup Variations

Aside from this version, you can also make it with Spinach, Almonds, or spinach. If you’re a vegetarian, you can omit the turkey, assorted meat, and mackerel and add more of your favorite vegetables, mushrooms, or more. 

Add a scotch bonnet in the pepper sauce if you want to make it a bit spicy. Moreover, you can substitute melon seeds with pumpkin seeds. 

Recommended Tools

• Blender: Make the pepper sauce and the egusi paste with a blender.
• Wooden spatula: Mix the ingredients with a wooden spatula.
• Pan: Cook the soup in a large pan.
• Knife: Peel and slice the ingredients with a knife.
• Glass bowl: Prepare the ingredients in glass bowls. 

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How to Serve Egusi Soup

This dish is perfect for lunch and dinner, but you can also consume it in the morning. For side dish options, you may try it with:

• Amala Fele Fele – super smooth, soft and lump-free
• Plantain Fufu – a healthy gluten-free alternative to swallow
• Plain Basmati Rice – fluffy and aromatic
• Jollof Rice – deliciously smokey and moreish
• Fried Yam – crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside
• Steamed Plantains – an easy and delicious steamed plantain!
• Roasted Plantains – easy, oil-free roasted plantain

Meanwhile, the following beverages can make excellent drink options:

• Zobo Drink – all-natural, healthy and sugar-free
• Pineapple Juice – a rich assortment of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
• Beetroot Pomegranate Juice – blood tonic
• Watermelon Juice – reinvigorating and thirst-quenching

Storage Tips

• At room temperature: This is best consumed within 2 hours to relish the blended flavors and texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is egusi soup made of? 

It’s primarily made with melon or pumpkin seeds, pepper sauce, assorted meat, chicken or turkey, fish, and vegetables. Egusi soup is also seasoned with simple herbs and spices for an exquisite flavor. 

Is egusi soup helpful for weight loss? 

Certainly, yes, it is. In an article by Low Carb Africa, egusi soup has been mentioned as one of the best dishes for keto diets. 

Can egusi soup help with diabetes?

Yes, it can also be beneficial for diabetics. According to Somi Igbene, melon seeds contain components that make the body more responsive to insulin.