Nigerian Suya Recipe

Experience African cuisine like never before with one of the best Nigerian street foods, Nigerian Suya!

The Nigerian Suya is made of cooked assorted meat arranged in skewers and marinated well for a savory, nutty, and smoky flavor. Not only is it yummy, but it’s also tender, chewy, and soft.

Whenever you want to have a good time with your family, cook this dish and see how everyone will enjoy it. Serving Nigerian Suya will surely feel like you’re on a trip to beautiful Nigeria!

The secret to Nigerian Suya is the suya spice. With the right herbs and spices, you can give the meat the best flavor you can ever imagine. Every bite will truly make you feel like a winner!

How to Make Nigerian Suya

Despite its rich and complex flavor, Nigerian Suya is easy to cook. As long as you marinate the meat well, your meat will be ready to bake in the oven. It may take a while to cook but it’s certainly worth the wait.

Let’s take an adventure about everything you need to know about the Nigerian Suya!

Ingredients

When I used these ingredients, the Nigerian Suya recipe became a crowd favorite in my home! 

Assorted meat 

Make it a real Nigerian Suya with your favorite assorted meat!

Instead of just one kind of meat, the Nigerian Suya uses different kinds of meat. My go-to meat options include beef, abodi, and tripe because of how well their flavors and texture pair well together. 

Beef has a naturally meaty and savory flavor but it will taste so much better with the spice mix. Abodi is used in Nigerian recipes for soups and stews. On the other hand, tripe has a chewy quality for a lovely meal. 

I love using assorted meat for Meat Stew, Egusi Soup, and Beef Liquid Stock. How do you usually enjoy meat?

Suya spice

Have you ever tasted suya spice before?

It’s a yummy, savory, smoky, spicy, nutty, umami, peppery, and exciting flavor that can change the quality of meat dishes. The suya spice is the key to giving the meat such a distinct flavor.

You usually find suya spice in grocery stores, but you can also make it at home – using chili, peanut, onion, garlic, ginger powder, sea salt, and all-purpose seasoning.

It’s not just for beef but for chicken, turkey, and fish. Suya spice can also be used to season vegetables for more flavor. Say yes to suya spice because it can certainly give you the best dining experience!

Groundnut oil or peanut oil

What makes Nigerian Suya moist, tender, and tasty? Oil!

It adds a nutty taste that improves the savory quality of the dish. I especially suggest using it for grilling and roasting to prevent the meat from becoming dry and tough. 

To give the dish the signature Suya flavor, use groundnut oil or peanut oil. The oil will infuse the meat with a nutty quality for the best African street food experience!

Seasoning

Even if it already has Suya spice, you still need seasoning.

Just when you think it can’t get better, add salt and garlic powder for better flavor and aroma. These intensify the natural taste of suya spice for an enriched taste! 

From the ingredients alone, you can already tell that you are in for a treat. Instead of barbecue night, you will love Nigerian Suya night! 

Directions

Here’s how you can make Nigerian Suya recipe at home:

1. Rinse the thinly sliced meat. 
2. Soak the skewers in water.
3. Arrange the meat on the skewers. 
4. Mix groundnut oil, salt, and garlic powder in a small glass bowl.
5. Then, brush the meat with the oil mixture.
6. Sprinkle the suya spice on a flat surface. 
7. Rub the meat skewers on the suya spice. 
8. Place the skewers on a tray lined with foil. 
9. Wrap the tray with cling film and marinate for about 45 minutes. 
10. Then, preheat the oven between 120°C to 150°C. 
11. Oven-grill one side of the meat in the oven for 20 minutes. 
12. Next, cook the other side for another 15 minutes. 
13. Garnish the dish with fresh onion slices, tomato slices, cucumber slices, and suya spice! 

How much did you enjoy the Nigerian Suya? I’m sure the rich taste and tender texture keep you wanting more. Serve it to your loved ones, and let us know if they loved it too!

Tips

Check out these tips you can practice for the best Nigerian Suya recipe!

Buying assorted meat

• According to Cookist, check the color of the meat to know if it is still fresh and good to use. 
• Smell the meat for the usual flesh aroma. 
• The texture should also be firm and plump. 
• Ensure that the packaging does not have water inside. 
• Get your meat from the butcher or fridge section of the grocery store. 

Storing assorted meat

• The University of Illinois suggests storing meat at the bottom part of the fridge to prevent leaking. 
• Use the meat in the fridge within four days. 
• Store the meat in freezer bags to freeze for several weeks or months.
• Thaw frozen meat by putting it in the fridge a day before using it.

Suya Spice

If you can’t find suya spice in your local grocery store, then make it from scratch instead! There are two ways you can do it: you can use peanut powder or whole roasted peanuts.

Using peanut powder

Use peanut powder as the base ingredient. Then, add ginger powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and chicken stock cube or all-purpose seasoning in your desired amounts. 

Taste the mixture to ensure that you’re getting the flavor you prefer. You can also add more herbs and spices as you see fit. 

Using whole roasted peanuts

The first you need to do is roast the peanuts. I love roasting peanuts in the air fryer because it’s easy and quick! 

Pulse the roasted peanuts in a food processor or with a mortar and pestle. Then, squeeze out as much oil as possible with a nut milk bag or sieve. Once the nuts are dry, mix them with paprika, ginger powder, cayenne, onion powder, chicken or beef stock cube, and garlic powder. 

Regardless of which method you choose, the oil is surely going to improve the Nigerian Suya recipe! Store your suya spice in a jar to keep it for a long time. 

Peanut Oil

While you can use other kinds of oil, you will love how the peanut oil tastes with the nutty flavor of the suya spice. Aside from using it for Nigerian Suya, you can also use peanut oil for other recipes. 

Before anything else, you must roast the peanuts to bring out their flavor and aroma. Then, you need to peel them. Puree the peanuts in a blender or food processor until you get a smooth buttery texture. 

If you store the peanut butter properly, then you can get quality and healthy groundnut oil! 

Nigerian Suya Variations

Make your Nigerian Suya special and fun by adding your favorite ingredients. Instead of an all-meat dish, you can add roasted vegetables of your choice. For instance, Foodie Crush suggests the following vegetables for skewer recipes:

• Tomatoes
• Onions
• Bell peppers
• Broccoli
• Zucchini
• Corn 

You can also replace the meat with chicken, turkey, or duck for new protein sources and healthy options. Be sure to cook them in the oven according to their usual cooking time. 

Moreover, the seasoning can include more of your favorite spices, such as chili flakes, paprika, and more! Aside from oil to glaze the Nigerian Suya, you may also use garlic-infused oil or almond oil.

More Nigerian Recipes

• Nigerian Puff Puff – enjoy soft and delicious Puff Puff like you’re eating in Nigeria.
• Nigerian Beans – turn your beans into a smooth and thick delight.
• Nigerian Akara – deep fry your beans until crispy and sweet.
• Nigerian Fried Rice – stir fry your rice until it’s tasty and loose.
• Nigerian Coconut Buns – bite into tender and pleasant buns infused with coconuts.
• Nigerian Buns – try the classic flavor of buns in Nigeria.
• Nigerian Egg Rolls – enjoy your hard-boiled eggs like never before.

Recommended Tools

• Oven: Cook the Nigerian Suya in the oven. 
• Skewer: Arrange the meat on a skewer to cook thoroughly.
• Tray: Season and marinate the meat on a tray.
• Aluminum foil: Line the tray with foil.
• Small glass bowl: Prepare the glazing mixture in a small glass bowl.
• Brush: Coat the Nigerian Suya with the glazing mixture using a brush.
• Cling film: Cover the meat with cling film to seal in the flavors. 

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How to Serve Nigerian Suya

One of the best ways to enjoy Nigerian Suya is to serve it while it’s hot, moist, and yummy. You can eat it right from the skewers. Otherwise, remove them from the skewers and serve them on a plate. 

Garnish the Nigerian Suya with onions, cucumber, tomato, more suya spice, or roasted vegetables to make it fun to eat. Here are some of the best side dishes that you will love with this meal:

• Soft Bread – bread and meat can be an awesome combination.
• Pounded Yam – starchy yams taste incredible with smoky meat.
• Jollof Rice – get the best African dining experience with Jollof Rice.
• Fried Yams – fry yams to taste how sweet they can be.
• Air Fryer Roasted Plantains – Nigerian Suya is better with plantains as a side dish.
• Salad – get a full meal with meat and vegetables.
• Ewa Agoyin Pepper Sauce – coat your meat in delicious pepper sauce.

Storage Tips

• At room temperature: Nigerian Suya is best eaten within two hours of making it. 

Suya Recipe: Frequently Asked Questions

What is suya made of?

Suya is usually made of assorted meat and suya spice. You can also use ram or chicken for new flavors. Glaze the meat with an oil mixture to keep it moist and tender. Use other spices to get the best flavor. 

What does suya mean in Nigerian?

In Nigeria, suya refers to a popular street food made of assorted meat and suya spice. It may remind you of a kebab or a meat barbecue. The suya is served in skewers for easy eating.

What to eat with Nigerian suya?

There are so many dishes you can serve with Nigerian Suya. For instance, it’s going to taste well with salad, rice, plantains, yams, pap, bread, and more.

Is Nigerian suya healthy?

According to Health Guide, Nigerian Suya is good for you as long as you eat it in moderation and with caution. Meat can help with your bones, energy, heart, joints, and overall health. If you add vegetables, then you will also gain more health benefits!