Get ready to experience one of the best Nigerian street food – the Nigerian Suya recipe!
In this recipe, the assorted beef will be marinated in the best healthy suya spices for a meaty, smoky, savory, and spicy flavor. The ingredients may be simple, but the flavors are complex and rich.
The meat is prepared in skewers for easy and quick cooking. Nigerian Suya’s kebab-style serving also makes it fun to eat and enjoy.
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Who knew a simple dish could be this hearty, satisfying, and delicious?
How to Make Nigerian Suya
The Nigerian Suya recipe is so effortless that you can prepare it on a restful weekend or for celebrations. You just need to marinate the meat, grill it, and love every bite of it!
Ingredients
When I used these ingredients, the Nigerian Suya recipe became a crowd favorite in my home!
Assorted meat
Instead of just one kind of meat, why not use assorted meat for Nigerian Suya? My go-to meat options include beef, abodi, and tripe because of how well their flavors and textures pair well together.
Beef has a naturally meaty, savory, and rich flavor with a tender texture once cooked. Meanwhile, the abodi is used in Nigerian recipes for soups and stews. On the other hand, tripe has a chewy and liver-like quality for a lovely meal.
According to Better Health, meat is good for your immunity, skin, nervous system, brain, bones, and thyroid. Aside from being healthy, meat is also easy to prepare.
I love using assorted meat for Assorted Meat Stew, Egusi Soup, and Beef Liquid Stock. How do you usually use meat?
Suya spice
Why is suya spice one of the best spices in Africa? It’s a yummy, savory, smoky, spicy, nutty, umami, peppery, and exciting flavor that can change the quality of meat dishes.
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. Try it for chicken, turkey, and fish for an enjoyable meal. 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 flavorful? Groundnut 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.
Seasoning
Just when you think it can’t get better, add salt and garlic powder for better flavor and aroma. These complement 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 prepare a Nigerian Suya recipe at home:
- Rinse the thinly sliced assorted meat.
- Soak the skewers in water.
- Arrange the meat on the skewers.
- Mix groundnut oil, salt, and garlic powder in a small glass bowl.
- Then, brush the meat with the oil mixture.
- Distribute the suya spice on a flat surface.
- Rub the meat skewers on the suya spice.
- Place the skewers on a tray lined with aluminum foil.
- Wrap the tray with cling film and marinate for about 45 minutes.
- Then, preheat the oven between 120°C to 150°C.
- Oven-grill one side of the assorted meat in the oven for 20 minutes.
- Next, cook the other side for another 15 minutes.
- 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 for suya recipe
- 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 of well-stored meat.
- The texture should also be firm and plump.
- Ensure that the packaging does not have moisture or water inside.
- Get your meat from the butcher or refrigerated 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 unwashed 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.
Homemade Suya Spice for Suya Recipe
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 nutmilk 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 homemade suya spice in a jar to keep it for a long time.
How to Make Peanut Oil
While you can use other kinds of oil, you will love how the peanut oil complements 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 Recipe 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 assorted meat with chicken or 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 groundnut oil to glaze the Nigerian Suya, you may also use Garlic-Infused Oil or Almond Oil.
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 marinated 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 flavorful. 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 colorful and fun to eat. Here are some of the best side dishes that you will love with this meal:
Balance the smoky and meaty flavors with sweet and refreshing drinks such as:
Storage Tips
- At room temperature: Nigerian Suya is best eaten within two hours of making it.
Suya Recipe: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 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 for seasoning for better flavor.
What is Nigerian suya made of?
Nigerian Suya is made of assorted meat, suya spice, and roasted vegetables. These balance the beefy and umami flavors of the meat for the best-tasting suya yet. You can use any vegetable or meat you want!
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!
What is suya called in English?
In English, suya is called “kebab” or “meatstick” because of how it is usually prepared. The meat is arranged in skewers for easy and thorough cooking in the oven or grill.
Nigerian Suya (VIDEO)
Ingredients
- 600 g assorted meat (beef, abodi, tripe)
- 5 tbsp suya spice (contains salt)
- 1 pinch peanut oil
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 pinch ogarlic powder
Instructions
- Rinse the thinly sliced assorted meat.
- Soak the skewers in water.
- Arrange the meat on the skewers.
- Mix groundnut oil, salt, and garlic powder in a small glass bowl.
- Brush the meat with the oil mixture.
- Distribute the suya spice on a flat surface.
- Rub the meat skewers on the suya spice.
- Place the skewers on a tray lined with aluminum foil.
- Wrap the tray with cling film and marinate for about 45 minutes.
- Preheat the oven between 120°C to 150°C.
- Cook one side of the assorted meat in the oven for 20 minutes.
- Cook the other side for another 15 minutes.
- Garnish the dish with onions and suya spice!
Video
Notes
- Soak the skewers in water for 30 minutes to 1 hour to prevent them from burning in the oven.
- Brushing the oil with the oil mixture helps the suya spice stick to the meat properly.
- Reheat the suya by steaming it to keep it moist, soft, and TASTY. Boil water in a pot over medium heat. Place the suya across the pot with the skewers. Steam for 10 minutes on one side and 5 minutes on the other.
Nutrition
