Nigerian Suya Wrap

About This Recipe

Suya, thin strips of meat coated in a spiced peanut blend called yaji and grilled over open flame, is one of Nigeria's most recognizable street foods, traditionally served on skewers straight from a roadside grill. This wrap takes that same bold, smoky-spicy flavor and turns it into an easy, portable lunch. The technique centers on the sear: a very hot pan or grill gives the beef real char in just a couple of minutes per side, mimicking the intense heat of a street vendor's open grill. Slicing the beef against the grain after a short rest keeps every bite tender despite the quick, high-heat cooking. Wrapped with fresh cabbage, onion and tomato, and finished with a scatter of crushed peanuts, this version keeps suya's signature flavor while making it easy to eat on the go — a lunchbox-friendly nod to a beloved street food.

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 500 gbeef sirloin(thinly sliced)
• 3 tbspsuya spice (yaji)
• 2 tbspvegetable oil
• 4flatbreads or large tortillas
• 1onion(thinly sliced)
• 1tomato(sliced)
• 1 cupshredded cabbage
• 2 tbsppeanuts(crushed)
• 2 tbspmayonnaise or yogurt sauce
• 1lime(cut into wedges)

Instructions

1. 1

   Season the beef

   Toss the sliced beef with suya spice and oil, coating evenly. Let sit 15 minutes.

2. 2

   Heat the pan

   Heat a grill pan or skillet over high heat until very hot.

3. 3

   Cook the beef

   Sear the beef in a single layer, 2-3 minutes per side, until well charred on the outside and cooked to your preference. Remove and let rest 3 minutes, then slice into strips if needed.

4. 4

   Warm the flatbreads

   Warm the flatbreads briefly in a dry pan or over a low flame, about 20 seconds per side.

5. 5

   Assemble the wraps

   Spread each flatbread with mayonnaise or yogurt sauce, layer with cabbage, onion, tomato and the suya beef, then sprinkle with crushed peanuts. Roll tightly and serve with lime wedges.

   Slice the beef against the grain for the most tender bite in each wrap.

Variations

• •

  Use chicken instead of beef for a lighter version of the wrap.

• •

  Add sliced cucumber for extra crunch and freshness.

• •

  Skip the wrap format and serve the suya beef on skewers with the vegetables on the side, closer to the traditional presentation.

Storage

Refrigerate cooked beef separately from assembled wraps up to 3 days. Reheat the beef in a hot skillet before assembling fresh wraps rather than reheating a fully built wrap.

Frequently Asked Questions