Nigerian Jollof Rice Recipe
Introduction
Nigerian Jollof Rice is a vibrant and flavorful one-pot dish loved across West Africa. Made with a rich tomato and pepper sauce, fragrant spices, and perfectly cooked rice, it’s a comforting meal that’s both easy to prepare and delicious to enjoy.
Ingredients
- 2 Roma tomatoes (quartered)
- 2 red bell peppers (diced)
- ½ red onion
- 1-3 habanero peppers (diced, adjust to taste)
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- ½ onion (diced)
- 2-3 bay leaves
- ½ tsp thyme (substitute thyme powder as needed)
- 2 bouillon cubes (make sure to buy a vegan version!)
- 1 tbsp tomato paste (for the color – optional)
- 1 ¾ cups stock
- 2 cups long grain rice (wash and drain to get rid of excess starch)
- 1 tsp salt (add more to taste as needed)
Instructions
- Step 1: Blend tomatoes, red peppers, ½ red onion, and habanero peppers in a blender until you get a smooth puree. This will be the base of your pepper sauce.
- Step 2: In a deep pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add diced ½ onion and bay leaves, frying for 2-3 minutes until the onions are translucent.
- Step 3: Add the pepper sauce, thyme, bouillon cubes, and tomato paste (if using). Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the raw smell of the sauce disappears.
- Step 4: Pour in the stock, cover the pot, and bring it to a boil over medium heat.
- Step 5: Add the washed and drained rice to the pot, mix it gently with the sauce, and reduce the heat to low-medium.
- Step 6: Cover the pot tightly (using foil or a tight-fitting lid) and let the rice simmer for 10 minutes.
- Step 7: After 10 minutes, carefully stir the rice to prevent sticking and check for doneness. Cook for another 2 to 4 minutes until the rice is tender and cooked through.
- Step 8: For a crispy bottom, increase the heat to medium-high for 1 minute once the rice is cooked.
- Step 9: Remove the pot from heat, stir the crispy bottom layer into the rice, add a few slices of onion if desired, and serve hot.
Tips & Variations
- Adjust the number of habanero peppers based on your preferred spice level.
- Use tomato paste for a richer color, but it can be omitted if unavailable.
- Try adding vegetables like peas or carrots for extra texture and nutrition.
- Vegetable or mushroom stock works well to keep this dish vegan-friendly.
Storage
Store leftover Jollof rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of water to keep the rice moist. Avoid reheating multiple times for best flavor and texture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of rice for Jollof?
Long grain rice is preferred for its texture and ability to absorb flavors, but jasmine or basmati rice can also be used with good results.
How do I get the signature smoky flavor in Nigerian Jollof?
The smoky flavor often comes from allowing the rice to slightly burn at the bottom of the pot, creating the crispy “party rice” layer. Be careful to increase heat only briefly to avoid burning the entire dish.
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Nigerian Jollof Rice Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Nigerian Jollof rice is a vibrant and flavorful one-pot dish featuring a rich tomato and pepper sauce simmered with long grain rice, infused with aromatic spices and herbs. This classic West African recipe delivers a perfect balance of spicy, savory, and smoky flavors and can be enjoyed as a hearty main or side dish.
Ingredients
Pepper Sauce
- 2 Roma tomatoes (quartered)
- 2 red bell peppers (diced)
- ½ red onion
- 1–3 habanero peppers (diced, adjust to taste)
Jollof Rice
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- ½ onion (diced)
- 2–3 bay leaves
- ½ tsp thyme (substitute thyme powder as needed)
- 2 bouillon cubes (vegan version recommended)
- 1 tbsp tomato paste (for color, optional)
- 1 ¾ cups stock (vegetable or chicken)
- 2 cups long grain rice (washed and drained)
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Make Pepper Sauce: Blend the quartered Roma tomatoes, diced red bell peppers, ½ red onion, and habanero peppers together in a blender until you achieve a smooth puree. This forms the flavorful base of the Jollof rice.
- Sauté Onions: Heat ⅓ cup of vegetable oil in a deep pot over medium heat. Add the diced ½ onion and 2-3 bay leaves, frying for 2-3 minutes until the onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Cook Pepper Sauce: Add the blended pepper sauce to the pot along with ½ tsp thyme, 2 vegan bouillon cubes, and 1 tbsp tomato paste for color if using. Cook this mixture for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the raw smell of the sauce dissipates.
- Add Stock and Rice: Pour in 1 ¾ cups of stock, cover the pot, and bring to a boil. Then add the washed and drained 2 cups long grain rice, stir to combine well with the sauce, and reduce the heat to low-medium.
- Simmer Covered: Cover the pot tightly, using foil if necessary, and let it simmer for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, stir the rice gently to prevent sticking and check the rice’s doneness. Continue to cook covered for an additional 2-4 minutes until the rice is fully cooked.
- Create Optional Crispy Bottom: If desired, increase the heat to medium-high and cook for 1 more minute to form a crispy layer at the bottom of the pot, a prized texture in authentic Jollof rice.
- Serve: Remove the pot from heat, stir to mix up the crispy bottom layer with the rest of the rice, garnish with additional onion slices, and serve hot.
Notes
- Adjust habanero pepper quantity to control spiciness according to your preference.
- Washing and draining rice helps remove excess starch for better texture.
- You can use vegetable or chicken stock depending on dietary needs.
- Using tomato paste enhances the vibrant color of the dish but is optional.
- Covering the pot tightly during simmering is key to evenly cooking the rice and trapping steam.
- The crispy bottom, known as “party rice,” is a cherished feature and can be achieved by briefly increasing heat at the end.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Nigerian, West African
Keywords: Nigerian Jollof, Jollof Rice, West African Rice Dish, Spicy Rice, Vegan Jollof, One-Pot Meal
