Nigerian Suya

About This Recipe

Suya is the street food soul of northern Nigeria, now beloved across the entire country and in the diaspora worldwide. Thin strips of beef are coated in yaji — a complex spice blend of ground peanuts, ginger, garlic, and paprika — then grilled over open coals until caramelized and smoky. Served with raw onions and tomatoes, it's eaten any time of day.

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 500 gbeef sirloin or flank, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cupground roasted peanuts
• 2 tsppaprika
• 1 tspground ginger
• 1 tspgarlic powder
• 1 tsponion powder
• 1/2 tspcayenne pepper
• 1/2 tspsalt
• 2 tbspvegetable oil
• 1 mediumonion, sliced (to serve)
• 2 mediumtomatoes, sliced (to serve)

Instructions

1. 1

   Make yaji spice

   Mix ground peanuts, paprika, ginger, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and salt together to form the yaji spice blend.

2. 2

   Prepare the beef

   Slice beef into thin strips (about 3mm thick). Partially freeze first for easier slicing.

3. 3

   Coat the beef

   Brush beef strips with oil, then press yaji spice mix onto both sides generously. Thread onto skewers.

4. 4

   Grill

   Grill over high heat (or on a very hot grill pan) for 3–4 minutes per side until nicely charred and cooked through.

5. 5

   Serve

   Serve immediately with sliced raw onions, tomatoes, and extra yaji sprinkled on top.

Variations

• •

  Make with chicken instead of beef

• •

  Use lamb for a richer flavor

• •

  Add kuli kuli (peanut cake) to the spice mix for authenticity

• •

  Vegetarian: swap the protein for roasted king oyster mushrooms, smoked tofu or cooked chickpeas — adjust seasoning slightly upward to compensate.

Storage

Best eaten immediately. Leftovers keep 2 days refrigerated; reheat on a hot pan.

Frequently Asked Questions