Nigerian Recipes
Nigerian cooking is built on a few foundations: a well-reduced pepper and tomato base, scotch bonnet heat, and staples like rice, beans, yam and plantain.
The recipes below cover party favourites like jollof and fried rice, everyday meals like rice and beans, and snacks like puff puff and dodo.
11 Nigerian recipes
Jollof Rice
Nigerian Favourite
1 hr 5 minsMedium
Jollof Rice with Chicken
Quick & Easy
45 minsMedium
Nigerian Fried Rice
Party Classic
1 hrMedium
Moi Moi
Nigerian Favourite
1 hr 30 minsMedium
Puff Puff
Street Snack
1 hr 30 mins (incl. rising)Easy
Nigerian Chicken Stew
Comfort Food
1 hr 20 minsMedium
Pepper Soup
Nigerian Favourite
1 hrMedium
Beans and Plantain (Beans Porridge)
Budget Friendly
1 hr 25 minsEasy
Coconut Rice
Nigerian Favourite
50 minsEasy
Rice and Beans
Budget Friendly
1 hr 5 minsEasy
Fried Plantain (Dodo)
Quick & Easy
15 minsEasy
Cooking tips
- Reduce your blended pepper base before frying it — it removes the sour, raw tomato taste.
- Parboiled long-grain rice holds up best for jollof and fried rice.
- Palm oil, crayfish and scent leaves are worth finding at an African grocer for authentic flavour.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular Nigerian dish?
Jollof rice is the best-known Nigerian dish and a fixture at parties, often served with fried plantain and chicken stew.
Is Nigerian food very spicy?
It often uses scotch bonnet peppers, but you control the heat. Use half a pepper, or remove the seeds, for a milder result.