Suya

Suya is generally made by grilling spiced meat over red-hot coal in Nigeria, but you can get the same result if you have a simple griller or oven with a grill compartment.

I will show you how to make suya in the oven.

It is actually the most popular Hausa snack. I have been enjoying it since my 14th birthday, right before I learned what zo meant in the Hausa language.

Suya is Hausa Snack.

In the last few weeks, we have been talking about Hausa foods, and it will continue for another couple of days before we switch to popular Yoruba recipes and how to make them.

Suya is actually easy to make, as long as you can lay your hands on the spice and any meat of choice. Usually, I made this with beef, but in recent times I have seen chicken suya and even that from bush meat. 😀

This recipe is for both the beef and chicken version of suya.

Here is what it really looks like. I made this some days back in my kitchen. It is really easy; as long as you can find the ingredients.

Suya

Ingredients For Nigerian Beef Suya.

Beef (1KG)
Suya Spice (Suya powder)
2 seasoning cubes
Salt to Taste
Ground dried pepper (optional)
Suya sticks (optional)
vegetable oil (100ml)
Griller

Preparation.

It is actually possible to mix your own suya spice (powder), but it is unnecessary if you live in Nigeria. If you don’t live in Nigeria, you can still purchase the spice from most online shops.
Suya spice

I live in Port Harcourt, Nigeria and I purchased mine from Hausa suya makers at Okija/Ikwerre road, mile 1, Portharcourt. You can always ask a friendly ABOKI for directions.

How to Make Suya in the Oven.

Step 1

Wash the beef properly and slice into thin fillets. You can easily do this with a kitchen knife.

Step 2

Transfer 5 spoons of the suya (spice) to a clean dry plate and add 2 seasoning cubes plus a half teaspoon of salt to it, mix them properly together, and set aside. You will need to taste it to find out that it actually tastes like what you get from the mallam.

Step 3

Stake the beef on the sticks and sprinkle the mixed spice all around it, sprinkle evenly on both sides, and begin with the grilling part.
Beef

Use a kitchen brush to rob the vegetable oil on the beef before grilling; this actually helps the grilling process.
Apply more of the spices.

Step 4

Grill your suya using the local or electric grill. You can also use your kitchen oven if it has a grill compartment. I used my kitchen oven.
Grilling Suya

Step 5

Turn every ten minutes while it grills. After twenty minutes, you will need to apply more of the spices/vegetable oil again. Grill for another 20 minutes, and you just made Suya!

Serve with onions, pepper, cabbage, tomatoes, etc.

That is how to make suya in Nigeria. I believe you can be able to prepare yours with this recipe. I would be delighted to learn how it turns out.

Chicken Suya Recipe.

The popular Nigerian suya can be made of almost any kind of meat. Chicken is second on the list, second only to plain red beef.

Chicken suya is becoming quite popular in my neighborhood. I can’t remember buying any other type in the last six months. It has all been made with chicken.

Recipe for Chicken Suya.

You will use the same recipe you used for beef above, the only difference is the chicken legs so this is going to be a short one.

Use 3 chicken legs.
Step 1
Use a sharp knife to make incisions on the chicken legs.

Step 2
Go ahead and sprinkle the suya spice all over the chicken legs, let it soak in.

Step 3
Sprinkle some vegetable oil on it and grill. Keep turning every few minutes to stop it from getting burned.
Add the spice and vegetable oil occasionally to keep it cooking.

Once you are done grilling, cut to tiny bits and serve with onions, cucumber, and cabbage as seen in the video below

Here is the video for chicken suya. Enjoy.

Suya

Beef Suya Recipe

Chef Chidi
When you apply some suya spice on plain read beef, what you get is a popular Nigerian evening snack. This recipe shows you how to make beef suya in 7 simple steps.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Dessert, Nigerian snack
Cuisine Nigerian Cuisine
Servings 4 People
Calories 598 kcal

Equipment

  • Griller

Ingredients
  

  • 1 KG Plain red Beef
  • 1 Cup Suya Spice
  • 2 seasoning cubes
  • Salt to Taste
  • 1 tbsp Ground dried pepper
  • 20 Suya sticks optional
  • 100 ml vegetable oil

Instructions
 

  • Start by washing the beef properly, then slice into thin fillets using a kitchen knife.
  • In a bowl, mix 5 spoons of suya spice and 2 seasoning cubes (Nigerian brands)
  • Stake the beef fillets on the sticks and sprinkle the mixed spice all around it and allow it to soak in for few minutes.
  • To help the grilling process, apply vegetable oil using a kitchen brush.
  • Apply more of the spices.
  • Grill your suya, remember to turn every now and then so you don't end up with burned beef
  • Serve with onions, pepper, cabbage, tomatoes, etc.

Video

Keyword Aboki styled beef, Suya, Suya spice recipe

48 Comments

Lucienne
Reply

5 stars
Truly no matter if someone doesn’t understand then its up to other viewers that they
will help, so this is well written.

February 2, 2024
Oluwafemi
Reply

5 stars
I just feelling pulling out the suya out of the phone for a taste. Lol. Real thumbs up for a very well articulated detailed and incisive article on preparing suya. Even if the creators of suya would be jealous of this. This is the blog lovers of good food really should be a digest reader of. Definitely a 5- star for these.

January 7, 2020
Queendy
Reply

This is nice. will try it out cos I enjoy suya so much. I pray it comes out well

July 19, 2018
Queen
Reply

Great lesson, tanx

October 15, 2016

I wish there was a video!

September 20, 2016
Chidi Anegbu
Reply

The video for suya is coming soon.

September 21, 2016
aysha
Reply

chy dts a vry wondaful dishe, am happy 2 b wt u guys. tnx.

September 18, 2016
veejay
Reply

wow interesting tanks for the recipe its helping a lot

September 1, 2016
joy
Reply

Chidi, this is superb. Tanx

August 11, 2016
khadeejah
Reply

ur blog is really helpful, we r really proud of u. keep up d good work. Thanks for the suya recipe.

July 28, 2016
chitoo
Reply

Thanks for ur excellent good work. God will bless u with the greatest wisdom u have ever wish. Thanks for showing me how to make suya. Luv u

July 25, 2016
Barbie Franca
Reply

Thanks Bae….God bless you for this…

July 22, 2016
Babatunji bolanle
Reply

Chidi, u mentioned I can possibly mix my own suya spice.so pls what are d ingredients in order for me to mix my suya spice at home please?

July 20, 2016
Babatunji bolanle
Reply

Wow.! Chidi, u have really taught me what have been longing to learn over 5 yearyears ago. I’m so glad and grateful to u. God bless u. Pls keep up d good work. U really a channel of blessings all around. Love u!

July 20, 2016
temitope
Reply

Nice one

July 18, 2016
ONYEKACHI
Reply

Thank, Hope There Won’t Health Problems Using That Spice.

July 8, 2016
Adewale Atinuke
Reply

Chidi,u are the best.

July 5, 2016
Mustaf
Reply

Nice that one can make their own. Before Boko Haram will take over suya market and poison people. If they can use Fulani Herdsmen, they can use Suya means 🙂

June 29, 2016
Omobola
Reply

That’s gr8 Chidi thanks 4 d gud job, it so amazing I Cann’t wait to try it.

June 27, 2016
Viv
Reply

Tnx Chi baby. This is lovely. Keep living.

June 23, 2016
amaka
Reply

Chidi dearie. I appreciate ur efforts. Tnx a million.

May 30, 2016
Yinka
Reply

Wow! This is great, i will try this very soon. God bless you real good.

May 30, 2016
joy
Reply

Well detailed. Good job.

May 25, 2016
FAVOUR
Reply

my Tutor, You are doing a great job.

please can you teach me how to make pepper meat.

May 24, 2016
Mina
Reply

Fantastic! Thank you for the knowledge shared. I just learned how to make suya.

May 22, 2016
Nkemdirim
Reply

Wow…I’m going to try mine. Keep up the good work. Tnx a lot.

May 17, 2016
Adewale Atinuke
Reply

Thanks for the gud job.I ll give it a trial dis weekend.

May 10, 2016
suzzy
Reply

Nice one chy baby u are really God sent. I wiil try dis by weekend. Luv u.

April 29, 2016
Bolanle
Reply

Nice one.

April 27, 2016
Kelly
Reply

Chidi,You are wonderful .thanks a lot.how do I introduce someone to your blog?

April 27, 2016
MUBO
Reply

Wao tnx so very much cos i lv suya

April 20, 2016
Favour
Reply

Bravo! Can’t wait to try this

April 3, 2016
Ozioma
Reply

Chidi u are a God sent! God bless you cos you have been a blessing to many.

April 1, 2016
Abi
Reply

God bless you big,i will try this very soon.

March 24, 2016
Jane
Reply

This is really nice my namesake. I appreciate dis alots. May God bless u more.

March 22, 2016
Dearly
Reply

How do I prepare the soya spice myself?

March 15, 2016
Chidi Anegbu
Reply

Making the suya spice is a bit complicating. If you can find the needed ingredients for suya spice, I believe you can also find the already made (spice). However, I did try this combination from Flo and it tasted nice.
3 tablespoons crushed Kuli Kuli
3 tablespoons ginger powder
1 tablespoons cayenne pepper flakes
5 strands of African Negro Pepper (uda)
1 cube of knorr
Half teaspoon salt

Blend them neatly to achieve the same result. You can adjust the ingredients to find your taste. Send me my own suya when you are done o!

March 15, 2016
ADAMS
Reply

Ma you’re wonderful thanks.

March 15, 2016
Bussy
Reply

Nice recipe,will try it this weekend,thanks a lot

March 14, 2016
Nyinye
Reply

Thank you, Chidi.

March 14, 2016
Udo ibe
Reply

I love suya, thanks for showing me how to make suya. please where can I buy the ingredients in Aba? I live in Aba, Abia state.

March 13, 2016
Uzioma igwe
Reply

So adorable Chidi please can I have some.

March 13, 2016
Mercy udoka
Reply

Wow!!! I love this Chidi you are too much, your blog have been a saviour to me, in fact since I started following this your blog I can cook more better and my husband and children said that I am the best, thanks so much. I wish I can open the eye of other so there can see what I am seeing. God bless you.

March 13, 2016
Jennifer
Reply

This page is so adorable my follow women please join me and make your husband stop looking outside tell him you can cook more than that chewing gum girls outside there. Lol. Just kidding. But try it and win your husbands hearts.

March 13, 2016
Joy aEgua
Reply

Interesting

March 13, 2016
Linus
Reply

Wow! this is comprehensive and well written. Chidi you have saved me a lot of money. I will now make suya in my own house. bad market for aboki them. lol

March 13, 2016
grace
Reply

Thanks for the recipe. I also live in portharcourt Nigeria. My husband usually buy suya when coming back from work. I think I am going to surprise by making it this weekend.

March 13, 2016
Patience
Reply

Wow thank you sir

July 9, 2019

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