Nigerian Jollof Rice Recipe: Foolproof How-To - Sims Home Kitchen (2024)

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

Exotic and flavorful, Nigerian Jollof Rice is a one-pot meal that hails from Africa and is now popular worldwide. Made from scratch, this incredibly delicious jollof rice is bursting with fresh flavors of tomatoes, bell peppers, and bay leaf, slowly simmered in tomato sauce!

Nigerian Jollof Rice Recipe: Foolproof How-To - Sims Home Kitchen (1)

This authentic Nigerian Jollof Rice Recipe is easy to make for a hearty dish or dinner. It includes red bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, and spicy peppers.

Serve this Jollof rice with chicken, or your favorite protein.

Table of Contents

What I Love About This Recipe?

This gluten-free recipe of Nigerian Jollof Rice is a blend of spicy and savory flavors!

Toddlers love Jollof Rice’s typical orange color. Most children of West African descent who live in Europe and North America are raised on a diet of Jollof rice.

Jollof rice is the highlight of the menu at Nigerian parties and restaurants. And for good reason: this rice dish is delicious and bursting with tropical flavors and aroma.

Jollof Rice is an excellent way to introduce people from around the world to the exotic tastes of Africa. They’re sure to fall in love!

What is Jollof Rice?

Nigerian Jollof Rice is a popular easy-to-cook dish well-loved in West Africa. It's also a big hit among members of the African diaspora worldwide. It's served as a main course for lunch or dinner in Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Senegal, and Mali. The dish is packed with flavor, color and vegetables.

Jollof rice originates from West Africa, where it's a prominent staple food. Rice (Oryza sativa) itself originated from Asia. Jollof Rice has several different names, such benachin in Senegal or as riz au gras in other French-speaking countries. Jollof rice comes in a range of flavour variations depending on the country.

In many parts of West Africa, people enjoy rice almost daily with simpler dishes like stew. However, Jollof rice is usually served on special occasions, such as christenings, birthdays, Christmas, and weddings.

Nigerian Jollof rice is not to be confused with Nigerian fried rice, which is cooked without tomato but with shrimps, green peas, and other additions.

Nigerian Jollof Rice Recipe: Foolproof How-To - Sims Home Kitchen (2)

Nigerian Jollof Rice

All Jollof Rice variations have a tomato base. However, due to variations in recipes, you can find different flavors in different countries. For example, Nigerian Jollof Rice features bay leaves. Ghanaians include shito and ginger, while Liberian Jollof, influenced by Creole techniques, has beef, chicken, and ham.

Traditional Nigerian Jollof Rice does not include vegetables or any other type of protein. Instead, we like to serve vegetables and proteins separately as side dishes.

Roasting the red bell peppers and fresh tomatoes gives the jollof rice a smoky flavor. If you like spicy jollof rice then increase the number of scotch bonnets included in the blended mixture to turn up the heat!

Ingredients

This recipe uses easy-to-find ingredients that can be bought from a local store if you don’t already have them in your pantry. Read the Recipe Card for the measurements.

For Nigerian Jollof Rice

  • White rice - I have used long grain white rice for this recipe because it stays firm and maintains its shape. Basmati rice tends to become quite soft and mushy quickly so should be avoided.
  • Plum Tomatoes - are slightly sweeter and are perfect for pureeing. They add a nice red color to this rice. You may also use cherry tomatoes, canned tomatoes or tomato paste as well. Fresh Tomatoes work best, though.
  • Bell Peppers - I have used red bell pepper as this recipe needs to impart a red color to the rice. Roasting the bell pepper adds a smoky flavor!
  • Scotch Bonnet - is a Caribbean chili pepper that adds spicy depth to this rice dish. If you don’t like the heat, feel free to adjust its quantity.
  • Tomato Puree/Paste - Add more color and flavor to this rice by adding the tomato puree.
  • Chicken Stock- makes protein-rich flavorful rice. If you wish to make vegetarian or vegan rice, replace the chicken stock with veg stock or water.
  • Onion- adds mild sweet flavors. I have used red onions. You may use white onions instead.
  • Sunflower oil- I have used sunflower oil as its light. You may use coconut oil or vegetable oil as well.
  • Knorr Cubes- Add these crisp from out and soft within, knorr cubes. Blend of flavors of chicken, onion and spices, these cubes surely enhance the aroma and taste of rice. For vegetarian/vegan options, you may add fried chunks of Tofu or broccoli.
  • Thyme- Adds earthy and nutty flavor.
  • Bayleaf- I have used dried bay leaf to make aromatic and flavorful rice. One large is sufficient for this recipe.
  • Curry Powder- adds a spicy touch to this recipe. You may adjust the quantity.
  • Salt- Table salt works well. You may also use Kosher salt.

Equipment

Variations

Jollof allows you to have a go and be creative. Feel free to add a variety of vegetables and spices to make vibrant yet flavorful rice!

  • Nigerian Fried Rice- Made with shrimps, peas and without tomatoes, this fried rice is another popular Nigerian recipe.
  • Vegetarian/Vegan Jollof Rice- You can easily make vegan or vegetarian Jollof rice. Simply replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock. If you’re using tomato paste, then make sure it’s plant-based as some include fish sauce.
  • Nigerian Coconut Rice- Coconut Jollof rice is another delicious alternative recipe. To make it, add coconut milk to the tomato base for a creamy, tropical twist.
  • Add another topping- Add chicken or vegetables.

Storage Instructions

Leftover Jollof Rice can be stored in a dry container with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

You can freeze Jollof rice for up to three months in an airtight container. To defrost, thaw the rice on the counter and reheat it in the microwave before serving.

Nigerian Jollof Rice Recipe: Foolproof How-To - Sims Home Kitchen (3)

What to Serve with This Jollof Rice

The possibilities are pretty endless when it comes to dishes that pair well with homemade Nigerian Jollof Rice. My family loves:

  • Chicken
  • Meat
  • Fish
  • Coleslaw
  • Salad
  • Fried plantains

How to Make Jollof Rice

Here is my signature Simple Jollof Rice Recipe that I prepare for friends and family:

Prep the Oven

  • Preheat the oven to roast red bell peppers. This step is optional. Only do it if you like extra smoky party-style Jollof rice.

Blend Ingredients

  • Take a blender and add plum tomatoes, roasted red bell peppers, onion, and a scotch bonnet pepper. Blend until you have a smooth, spicy paste.

Saute The Sauce

  • In a large saucepan, add sunflower oil and heat over high heat. Once the oil is hot, pour in the blended sauce and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring.
  • To the cooked sauce, add salt, thyme, knorr cubes, curry powder (optional), tomato paste (purée), and chicken stock. Stir and cook for another 15 minutes.

Add Rice

  • To the saucepan, add rinsed long grain white rice to the saucepan and stir. Add water to cover the rice and cook over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • You may need to check the rice, add an additional cup of water, and stir every few minutes to prevent burning.

Flavor Rice

  • Flavor the rice with bay leaves and half of a thinly sliced onion (optional), stir and cook over low heat until the rice is tender and flavor-packed.

Serve It

The delicious Jollof Rice was ready! Serve it with curd or curry!

Nigerian Jollof Rice Recipe: Foolproof How-To - Sims Home Kitchen (4)

Top Tips

  • Stirring: Jollof rice burns when it is stirred too much during cooking on the stove. It also burns when there is not enough water. You should monitor your rice as it cooks, adding more water as necessary to keep the rice grains moist.
  • Water: Adding too much water can result in soft mushy jollof rice. It’s a careful balance! With a bit of practice, you’ll get a feel for the exact right amount of water and rice to combine for the dish.
  • Rice: If your rice is hard, the grains are probably undercooked. Add more water, bring to a simmer, and continue cooking until the grains are soft and chewy.
  • Flavor: For a stronger bay leaf flavor add bay leaf to the mixed pepper sauce instead of in the last ten minutes.

FAQs

Q1. What Rice is best for Jollof Rice?

It is best to use long-grain white rice for this recipe because it stays firm and maintains its shape. Basmati rice tends to become quite soft and mushy quickly so should be avoided.

Q2. What makes Nigerian Jollof Rice red?

The base of jollof rice includes tomatoes, red bell peppers, scotch bonnets and tomato purée. These ingredients give jollof rice its notorious red color!

Q3. What are the best spices for jollof rice?

Curry powder, thyme, scotch bonnet, and bay leaf are the best spices to make a flavorful Jollof rice.

Q4. Why did my Jollof Rice burn?

Jollof rice burns when it is stirred too much during cooking on the stove. It also burns when there is not enough water. You should monitor your rice as it cooks, adding more water as necessary to keep the rice grains moist.

Nigerian Jollof Rice Recipe: Foolproof How-To - Sims Home Kitchen (5)

More Nigerian Recipes

  • Nigerian Meat Pie
  • Nigerian Fried Rice
  • Nigerian Beans
  • Nigerian Puff Puff

Thanks for reading this recipe,comment below if you made this and let me know how it went! Follow@simshomekitchenonInstagram, take a photo, tag and hashtag it with @simshomekitchen.

Stay connected and follow me for more recipes onFacebook,Pinterest, andInstagramfor all of my latest recipes!

Nigerian Jollof Rice Recipe: Foolproof How-To - Sims Home Kitchen (6)

Nigerian Jollof Rice Recipe

Jen Sim

Exotic and flavorful, Nigerian Jollof Rice is a one-pot meal that hails from Africa and is now popular worldwide. Made from scratch, this incredibly delicious jollof rice is bursting with fresh flavors of tomatoes, bell peppers, and bay leaf, slowly simmered in tomato sauce!

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Nigerian

Keyword: jollof, jollof rice, nigerian, rice

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 5 people

Calories: 206kcal

Author: Jen Sim

Equipment

  • Saucepan

  • Blender

Ingredients

  • 3 cups of washed long grain white rice
  • 1 cans of plum tomatoes
  • 2 roasted red bell peppers
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 scotch bonnet
  • 3 knorr cubes
  • 1-2 bay leaves
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 teaspoon of thyme
  • ¼ cup of tomato puree/paste
  • 2 teaspoon curry powder optional
  • 1-2 cup of chicken stock
  • Water as necessary
  • A splash of vegetable/sunflower oil

Instructions

  • Preheat oven at 200C and roast red bell peppers for 20-25 minutes (optional step for extra smoky jollof rice)

  • Add 1 can of plum tomatoes, 2 red bell peppers, 1 large onion and 1 scotch bonnet to blender and blend until smooth.

  • Add vegetable oil to cover the base of a large saucepan. Once the oil is hot pour in the blended mixture and cook on a medium heat for 10 minutes.

  • Add salt to taste, 1 teaspoon of thyme, 3 knorr cubes, 2 teaspoon of curry powder (optional), 4 tablespoon or ¼ cup of tomato paste (purée) and 1-2 cups of chicken stock. Stir and cook for another 15 minutes (see notes).

  • Add the rinsed white rice to the saucepan and stir. Then add 3 cups of water to cover the rice and leave to cook on a low/medium heat for 10-15 minutes (you may need to check the rice, add one more cup of water and turn the rice every 7 minutes to prevent burning).

  • Finally add bay leaves and ½ a thinly sliced onion (optional), stir and leave to cook on a low heat until done.

Video

Notes

  • Jollof rice burns when it is stirred too much during cooking on the stove. It also burns when there is not enough water. You should monitor your rice as it cooks, adding more water as necessary to keep the rice grains moist.
  • Adding too much water can result in soft mushy jollof rice. It’s a careful balance! With a bit of practice, you’ll get a feel for the exact right amount of water and rice to combine for the dish.
  • If your rice is hard, the grains are probably undercooked. Add more water, bring to a simmer, and continue cooking until the grains are soft and chewy.
  • For a stronger bay leaf flavor add bay leaf to the mixed pepper sauce (step 4) instead of in the last ten minutes (step 6).

Nutrition

Calories: 206kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 3.6g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 0.9g | Sodium: 276mg | Potassium: 76mg | Fiber: 2.4g | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutrition Facts

Nigerian Jollof Rice Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 206Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Fat 12g18%

Saturated Fat 0.9g6%

Sodium 276mg12%

Potassium 76mg2%

Carbohydrates 26g9%

Fiber 2.4g10%

Protein 3.6g7%

Calcium 32mg3%

Iron 5mg28%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

More Delicious Recipes:

  • Easy Coconut Jollof Rice
  • Must-Try Nigerian Food Recipes
  • Coconut Fried Rice with Shrimp
  • Shrimp Pineapple Fried Rice
Nigerian Jollof Rice Recipe: Foolproof How-To - Sims Home Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

What's the secret to great jollof rice? ›

Heat & Steam

When you check on the texture of the rice and it is not soft enough to your liking, cover tightly and leave to steam further. The steam is all that is needed to soften the rice. When ready, you can cook on high heat for a few minutes to infuse that smokey flavour jollof rice is known for.

When should I add bay leaf to my jollof rice? ›

Bay leaf is very fragrant and it tantalises your nostrils. Too much of it will not make the Jollof rice nice, so find the balance. To really get the most of it, I fry it in the oil before I pour in the tomato paste so that it really comes alive.

What gives jollof rice its Colour? ›

Tomatoes give jollof rice its unique reddish colour. Fresh tomatoes are best used to prepare large quantities of jollof rice as they are cheaper than processed purees. Along with tomatoes, scotch bonnet also contributes to the colour of the rice.

What is the secret ingredient in jollof rice in Nigeria? ›

Jollof Rice Secret Ingredients

1000ml of Ground Fresh red tomatoes. fresh red pepper to taste. salt to taste.

How do you get the bitter taste out of jollof rice? ›

Try a pinch of baking soda.

Sprinkle just a pinch into your food and mix it in well to see if that helps. This is a good trick for if you're cooking and realize that you added too much of a bitter ingredient. Mix in a pinch of baking soda before the dish is done to fix that.

Which spice is good for jollof rice? ›

Some of my favourite seasonings to use are:
  • Tumeric.
  • Nutmeg.
  • Paprika powder.
  • Herbs other than just thyme which is great, but oregano and bay leaf are special.
  • Ginger and garlic powder (in addition to or as a substitute for fresh ginger and garlic)
Sep 26, 2019

What does butter do in jollof rice? ›

White pepper and Bay leaves are added alongside spices and seasonings when frying the tomato puree, while butter is added at the end; a few minutes before the rice is ready. While the white pepper and bay leaf give your Jollof rice a prominent flavour and taste, butter gives it a rich look and taste.

What are the 2 types of jollof rice? ›

Two other kinds of Jollof are popular, Party and Native Jollof. Party Jollof, also called Party rice, is imbued with smoky flavors and commonly cooked outdoors, over firewood.

Why is my jollof rice not red? ›

A tip is to make sure the pepper is more than raw tomatoes used. Using more raw tomatoes will water down the colour of your Jollof rice. Tomato purée is the secret to the signature red Jollof colour. Substitute the rest of the needed tomatoes for tomato purée.

Should jollof rice be wet or dry? ›

It takes time to get the right consistency of the fried stew for Jollof rice. After frying your stew, it should look a little dark and dry before adding your rice to the mix. Errm I cannot stress it any more than I do already. Your rice should not come out dripping with water or stew.

Why is my jollof rice burning? ›

When you stir rice during cooking, you introduce the oil which was ejected back to the bottom of the pot. This causes intense heat build up around the base of the pot leading to the burning of the rice.

How do you get the smoky flavor in jollof rice? ›

Lerato's tips: “The smoked paprika is a cheat to add the smoky flavour that is typically achieved through cooking on firewood or coals. I love adding vegetables to jollof – raid your fridge for leftovers.” “Jollof rice is at its best cooked low and slow for perfectly plumped grains.

Why do you cover jollof rice with foil? ›

Cover the pot with a sheet of foil paper. This will allow the rice to cook to steam cook without needing to add any water. Lower the heat and cook for about 20 minutes or until cooked, checking regularly.

What do Nigerians eat with jollof rice? ›

This traditional Nigerian dish brings out the best possible flavor of rice and chicken. Chicken is first sauteed on the stove top to produce a wonderful aromatic base for the rice. For an extra special and authentic touch, serve jollof rice with fried plantains.

Why do people add butter to jollof? ›

The butter adds a special flavor and also “greases” the rice so they don't stick together. The onions sweat and create steam to further cook and flavor the rice.

Why is my jollof rice always soggy? ›

Too Much Water and Soggy: If your rice looks like it might get soggy, DON'T leave it in the pot. You want to cool it down as fast as possible in order to stop the cooking process.

Why do we add butter to jollof rice? ›

Use butter

Butter adds flavour to jollof rice, instead of using only vegetable oil, add butter when frying your onions, bay leaves, seasoning, tomato puree and pepper.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Kareem Mueller DO

Last Updated:

Views: 6008

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (46 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kareem Mueller DO

Birthday: 1997-01-04

Address: Apt. 156 12935 Runolfsdottir Mission, Greenfort, MN 74384-6749

Phone: +16704982844747

Job: Corporate Administration Planner

Hobby: Mountain biking, Jewelry making, Stone skipping, Lacemaking, Knife making, Scrapbooking, Letterboxing

Introduction: My name is Kareem Mueller DO, I am a vivacious, super, thoughtful, excited, handsome, beautiful, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.