Nigerian Jollof Rice Recipe

Are you a fan of exotic cuisine but have never had the courage to make it at home? This Nigerian Jollof Rice Recipe is based on the traditional Nigerian dish, but made easily with pretty common ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen cabinets.

What Is Jollof Rice

Jollof is a type of rice that is popular in West Africa. It's traditionally made with long-grain rice, tomatoes, vegetables, onions, spices, and meat. It's a one-dish meal!

Just like other types of food, you'll find that the recipe for Jollof changes depending on where the chef is from.

In my recipe, I tried to stay as close to the traditional recipe as a could, while also making it easy for American cooks (like myself) to make!

Nigerian Jollof Rice Recipe

While I have never had Nigerian food myself, I do love to try new things and I definitely would give it a try if I were to come across their offerings on a menu!

I have been to South Africa and I really loved their dishes, and I have enjoyed Ethiopian food a time or two in a restaurant here in Miami - and of course I just love trying all sorts of cuisines!

One of the best things about living in Miami is that we have such a wide array of international cuisines available to us!

If you love making new and different recipes, try a cauliflower Spanish rice recipe next!

Where can I find the recipe card?

If you’d rather skip all of my cooking tips and similar recipe ideas, hit the Jump to Recipe button for the printable recipe card.

Jump to Recipe

More Easy Side Dishes

Check out these super delicious side dish recipes that I have shared over the years. They are all tried and true recipes that I have made over the years, or my trusty food writers have made.

I think you will love them all! Of course, this is just a small selection of side dish recipes, but we have LOTS and lots of recipes on the blog that are perfect for your side dish needs – just browse my collection of easy side dish recipes! Here are some of my favorites:  

• Summertime Kiwi Salad Recipe
• Apple Walnut Salad Recipe
• Roasted Red Pepper Salad Recipe
• Buttery Dill Potatoes Recipe
• Spicy Black Beans Recipe
• Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan Recipe
• Herbed Basmati Rice Pilaf Recipe
• Tangy Potato Salad Recipe
• Stuffed Green Peppers Recipe
• Slow Cooker Cinnamon Apples Recipe
• Corn and Feta Salad Recipe
• BLT Pasta Salad Recipe
• Watermelon Mandarin Mint Salad Recipe
• Bean Salad with Fried Kalamata Olives Recipe

How to make this Nigerian Jollof Rice Recipe

Nigerian rice is so easy to make! Keep reading and I will share some tips along with the easy recipe (and some step-by-step pictures so you can see how I did it).

Ingredients

All of the exact amounts are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. First, here is what you'll need from the store.

• White rice (I used Basmati)
• Vegetable or chicken stock
• Maggie cubes (chicken or vegetable)
• Frozen mixed vegetables 
• Yellow onions
• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato paste
• Vegetable oil (plus a few extra tablespoons for cooking)
• Fresh ginger
• Habanero pepper
• Garlic powder
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

Instructions for making this Nigerian Jollof Rice Recipe

Start by blending 1 ½ of your onions, vegetable oil, ginger, and habanero pepper until everything is a smooth paste.

Transfer to a medium size bowl.

Then blend your diced tomatoes until smooth and transfer to the bowl with onion paste.

You can mix until well combined.

Dice the remaining onion.

Bring a pot to medium-high heat, add your remaining vegetable oil and sauté the onions for a few minutes, until it gets fragrant.

Then add the blended tomato/onion mix and cook until it starts cooking. Add the rice and vegetable stock and cook on high, until it starts cooking.

Bring the heat as low as possible and cover with a lid. Cook for a total of 20-25 minutes.

After simmering for about 10 minutes, you can add the vegetables. Stir in well, until well combined and cover again, and cook for 15 more minutes.

Remove from heat and serve while hot.

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover Nigerian rice in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Maggie Cubes Substitute

You can add shredded chicken or cubed tofu to the rice instead of Maggie cubes. This is also a wonderful way to use leftover porkchops.

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To print this Nigerian Jollof Rice Recipe, simply click the recipe card below!

I know that many people still like to print out recipes and keep them in a recipe binder, or simply have the printed recipe sitting in front of them when it comes time to cook! You can also email this recipe!