West African

Egusi Soup

Name: Egusi Soup
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 3 servings
Cuisine: West African
Ingredients: 1.5 cups ground egusi (melon seeds); 1 bunch fresh spinach or bitterleaf (washed and chopped); 500g assorted meat (beef; tripe); 1/2 cup palm oil; 2 tbsp ground crayfish; 1 medium onion (chopped); 2 scotch bonnet peppers (blended); salt and bouillon cubes

Ground melon seeds simmered with palm oil, leafy greens, and bold spices into a rich, nutty stew that's a cornerstone of Nigerian home cooking.

70 minutes

Serves 3

Main

Contains common allergens

Seafood Shellfish

In the app, Listahan checks these against your household automatically.

Instructions

5 steps

1
Boil the Meat: In a pot, boil the assorted meat with half the chopped onion, salt, and bouillon until tender. Reserve the rich meat stock.

2
Make Egusi Paste: Mix the ground egusi seeds with a little water to form a thick, cohesive paste.
3
Fry the Egusi: Heat the palm oil in a large pot over medium heat until it turns translucent (do not bleach). Add the remaining onions and the egusi paste. Fry, stirring constantly, for 10 minutes until the egusi looks crumbly.
4
Build the Soup: Stir in the blended scotch bonnet peppers, crayfish, and the reserved meat stock. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes until the oil surfaces.
5
Add Meat and Greens: Return the cooked meat to the pot. Stir in the chopped spinach, let it wilt for 3-5 minutes, then remove from heat to keep the greens vibrant.

Unlock the full recipe

Get every step for Egusi Soup — plus exact amounts and 2,000+ more recipes — with Listahan Pro.

Unlock in app Get Listahan free

30-day free trial · cancel anytime

Plan it in Listahan

Add Egusi Soup to your week, check it against your household's allergens, and build the shopping list automatically.

Open in app iOS (Beta) Android (Beta)

More West African recipes

West African

Jollof Rice

West Africa's most beloved rice dish — tomatoes, peppers, and spices slow-cooked until every grain is deeply flavored and kissed with a smoky bottom crust.

65 min Serves 4

No common allergens

West African

Pounded Yam

Silky, stretchy, and pillowy-soft, this hand-pounded West African staple is the perfect vehicle for scooping up rich, hearty soups and stews.

30 min Serves 4

No common allergens

West African

Suya

Nigeria's iconic street food — thin-sliced beef rubbed in a fiery yaji spice blend of ginger, peanuts, and paprika, then chargrilled over open flame.

35 min Serves 3

Peanut

Browse all West African recipes