Nigerian Egusi Soup
Rich melon-seed stew with leafy greens, smoked fish, and palm oil. the Sunday afternoon soup that anchors a Nigerian table. Serve with pounded yam or fufu.
- Total time:
- 1 hr 10 min
- Servings:
- 6
- Per serving:
- 520 kcal
- Cost per serving:
- $4.20
- Difficulty:
- medium
Step-by-step
Season meat with salt, pepper, half the onion, 1 stock cube. Simmer covered with 2 cups water for 45 minutes until tender.
Mix ground egusi with ½ cup water to form a stiff paste. Set aside.
Heat palm oil in a heavy pot. Add remaining onion, cook 3 minutes.
Drop spoonfuls of egusi paste into oil. Do not stir for 4 minutes. let it crust.
Stir in tomato paste, scotch bonnet, crayfish, and remaining stock cube.
Add cooked meat with its stock and the smoked fish. Simmer 15 minutes.
15 min timer
Fold in greens, cook 3 minutes until just wilted. Taste and adjust salt.
Cook's tip
Let the egusi caramelize undisturbed for 4 minutes. That toasted layer is the soul of the soup.
Storage
Refrigerate 4 days. Flavor improves overnight.
Freezer: Freezes 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 520
- Protein
- 32g
- Carbs
- 12g
- Fat
- 38g
- Fiber
- 5g
- Sugar
- 4g
- Sat Fat
- 12g
- Sodium
- 920mg
Estimates based on USDA FoodData Central. See our nutrition disclaimer.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find egusi?
African grocery stores or online. Look for ground egusi seeds. Substitute pumpkin seed flour as a last resort.
Can I make this without smoked fish?
Yes, add an extra tablespoon of crayfish powder for depth, or use stockfish.
Reviews
Marcus B.
1 week ago
First time cooking this and the timing notes saved me. Did not lift the lid once. The crust at the bottom was the best part.
✓ Would make again
Aisha K.
2 weeks ago
Loved it but added an extra scotch bonnet — we like it spicy. Recipe scales well, made a double batch.
✓ Would make again
Tola O.
3 days ago
Made this for Sunday lunch — the smoky bottom turned out perfect. Family demolished the pot in twenty minutes.
✓ Would make again
Reviews shown are illustrative pre-launch. Real user reviews appear here as the community grows.
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