Yoruba Foods

Yoruba foods are just as popular as foods by other Nigerian ethnic groups. Yoruba is one of the three major Nigerian ethnic groups aside from Hausa and Igbo.

Most Yoruba foods are usually a blend of different colored food elements, it is always a pleasant sight to behold, that’s the way the Yorubas like to eat, they like a combination of soups/stew/ assorted meat plus eba or pounded yam.

Pounded yam is one of the ‘swallows’ in Nigeria, it is a favorite Yoruba swallow but is usually reserved for the rich.
Here is more on Pounded Yam, it can combine perfectly with any Yoruba soup.

If you haven’t tried it yet, please do. What you find below is a typical Yoruba food, a combination of gbegiri, ewedu, and stew; served with fufu.

Yoruba Foods

If you are an African/American but married to a Yoruba person, you can start with these recipes below.

Most Nigerians eat almost the same set of foods. Take jollof rice or porridge yam, for instance, they are all the same across all Nigerian states except the slim difference in the style of preparation and ingredients used; especially for the soups. So any Yoruba person can accept virtually all the regular Nigerian foods but if you are looking to surprise him with a special treat then you might wanna try some of the Yoruba recipes on this page.

This is all about the foods eaten by the Yorubas, a very popular Nigerian major ethnic group. Some of them are easy to prepare while a whole lot of them would require some traditional cooking utensils, don’t worry, I will be here with you every step of the way.

Names of Yoruba Soups/foods.

Ewedu

Gbegiri

Efo Riro

Amala

Iyan – Pounded yam

Other Yoruba Foods

There are over a hundred different foods eaten by the Yorubas so we are going to take them one after the other. I want to talk about the very popular ewedu soup here and then a little bit on how to make gbegiri, I just learned about this recipe a few days back, it is a delicious Yoruba delicacy.

Yoruba Ewedu Soup
Ewedu Soup
This green soup is likely the most popular Yoruba soup from what I have seen during most Yoruba parties but I noticed that it is never served alone, wondering if I have tasted ewedu soup? Of course, I have or how else do you think I learned to prepare this delicacy.

I will tell you my experience with ewedu soup on the main page and also why different Nigerian ethnic groups seem to have different recipes that are special to them.
This way –> For Yoruba Ewedu Soup.

That being said, let’s talk about another delicious Yoruba food (soup) here – efo riro. I made this soup a couple of days back and it is super delicious.
Efo Riro Soup/Stew

You can also learn how I made a delicious plate of efo riro soup here, the popular Yoruba rich vegetable soup.
This way for Efo Riro Vegetable Soup

This page is entirely about the foods eaten by the Yorubas and here you are going to learn about making gbegiri soup; a very popular Yoruba “bean soup”. You can find the image of gbegiri soup below.

Gbegiri Soup

Ingredients for making gbegiri soup.

1 cups Beans (white or brown)
Potash
Onions (2 balls)
Pepper
Palm oil
Seasoning (knorr cube, salt etc)
900g fish/meat – optional

Preparation

Step 1

We start by removing the seed coat; just transfer a cup of beans to a bowl, sprinkle a handful of water and start robbing and squeezing hard, as you progress the outer coat starts wearing off. This is actually the easiest beans de-coating method. Add water, wash, and strain (leaving the white split cotyledons). you should be done with this in about 10 minutes.

Then pour into a pot and start cooking with just water and about a half teaspoon of powdered potash, the potash act as a catalyst, most people use potash to hasten the cooking process while others avoid it for health or personal reasons.

Step 2
Cook for twenty to fifty minutes until it is very soft and ready for mashing. After that use a short strong neat broom to mash it till soft (there is often a broom kept for this purpose, the same that is used for ewedu soup). The reason for this is just to ground the already cooked beans to a seedless soft pudding.

There are different methods to making Yoruba foods, the gbegiri soup is not an exception. Some Yoruba uses a strong spoon and a plastic sifter for this purpose. They achieve the same end by pressing the soft seeds against the sieve with a spoon, it is that simple for most Yoruba foods. Alternatively, use an electric blender! πŸ˜€

Set the mashed beans apart in a clean bowl.

Step 3

How to make gbegiri

At this point most people just transfer into a pot then add the already cooked meat/fish, onions, seasoning (1 knorr cube), pepper, salt, 100ml palm oil and allow it to steam for 10 minutes then a delicious pot of gbegiri soup is made, or you can follow.

Step 3B
After following step 2 to a T, set your cooking pot on the burner, use about 10 to 15cl of palm oil, allow heating then add sliced onions, mashed beans, pepper, other seasonings of choice (a cube of knorr or maggi), iru (locust bean), salt to taste, allow to cook for five minutes, and you just made a delicious pot of gbegiri soup, one of my favorite Yoruba soup.

You can serve gbegiri with amala, fufu or eba.

There are so many Other Yoruba foods that we are yet to talk about. We are also making videos.

Ofada Sauce/Stew is my favorite

Someone asked me recently,
Do you think Moi moi is a Yoruba food, See My Answer.

Are You a Big Man? Cook Onugbu soup πŸ˜€

Ewa Agoyin is super delicious and super yummy.

63 Comments

Temitope Olaitan
Reply

Fantastic!I love the soup so much with AmalaπŸ˜‹

September 16, 2023
Awelewa MARY OLUWAYEMISI
Reply

I’m enjoying your book, especially those ones from other tribe,i tried EDIKANKONG soup and I love it.Kudos to you.

May 20, 2023
Sophia
Reply

Thank you so much for this recipe I am not a yourba but i live in Lagos and the first time i tried efo riro I really enjoyed it and have been looking for how to prepare it

October 18, 2022
Tim
Reply

Hi everyone.. Plz who know dis Yoruba food and how to prepare it..Feregede

May 12, 2020
Agbesusi Oluwasola.F
Reply

Hi,tnx a lot 4 dis tips,proudly Nigerian,Yoruba & an Ondo man;my faverite above all is pounded yam & super swt Efo riro,However,am looking 4wrd 2 hear 4rm u quickly concerning yoruba (& other Nigerian ethnic groups)medicinal soups..Kudos 2 U..Thanks.

November 24, 2019
Festus
Reply

I love the way you presented the cooking of gbegiri soup. It reminded me of my village days, and the nice delicacy.

August 12, 2019
Neliew
Reply

You are awesome Chidi. Keep it up

April 1, 2019
Wisdom howells
Reply

Why is yoruba food based on beans majority of them pls i want to know

January 1, 2019
Ola
Reply

Good job. keep it up.

November 12, 2018
Josdy
Reply

Thank U very much for the receipt i love ewedu. Need more receipt

September 29, 2018
PATIENCE
Reply

PLS HOW DO I PREPARE OMIOBE

March 28, 2018
jumoke
Reply

Hi can u give me a proper balance diet with strikly Yoruba local meals

March 10, 2017
Boscehdey
Reply

Hi. I would like to know what to prepare for a new mom. Yoruba woman. I’m out of ideas plus I only have limited resources. I however have chicken, a tuber of yam and some grains of rice. Pls help. Happy holidays

December 29, 2016
ASHER
Reply

ISAPA MEANS ZOBO IN YORUBA

October 27, 2016
Royal
Reply

Isapa is a vegetable while zobo is an example of healthy drink don’t mix it up,πŸ˜†πŸ˜…πŸ˜‚πŸ€£

April 18, 2022
Sam
Reply

Hello,
There are some Yoruba food that are not only healthy and nutricious, but also very delicious and appealing to the palate. Unfortunately, however, these food are all but nearly extinct, with few to no interest in them . It will be great if you can provide the recipes for some of these food. Specifically, I am referring to food like “egbo “, a breakfast food made from corn; Jogi, a moi moi like food, but I think usually made from egusi; Ojulofun, Ekuru, etc. If you have not heard of any of these, you can please, make inquiries.

Thanks!

September 17, 2016
Chidi Anegbu
Reply

Uncle Sam, Thank you. I will surely make inquiries.

September 21, 2016
primrose
Reply

Hi I’m a lady from South africa who is dating a yoruba guy. I’ve learn a lot in this page. Thank you very much. Where can I get a recipe book I would love to have one. Thanks again

September 10, 2016
Juwon
Reply

What is the name of isapa in English-language

August 27, 2016
habibat Akande
Reply

Am really learning here, thanks for the yoruba food recipes.

July 27, 2016
Sandra Adler
Reply

recipe for amala, please

July 10, 2016
Emeka
Reply

Can gbegiri be served along with ewedu soup?

July 5, 2016
Chidi Anegbu
Reply

sure, you can see it here.

July 6, 2016
Davies Abiodun
Reply

Yes

January 23, 2021
Olayinka
Reply

Nice site. Thanks for all the dishes. You are making a better person out of me.

June 18, 2016
morayo
Reply

Keep up the good work

May 29, 2016
BimJESU
Reply

This is a very good site. Yoruba’s has a whole lot of delicacies. One of such is ekuru and eko which is served with its own sauce, how about shanpala, adalu, luru soup, orunla etc. These are native Yoruba dishes. Yorubas also has snacks like kokoro, this kokoro can be made in different ways and with different ingredients. There is also amala lafun made from cassava flour aside the dark yam flour amala which is known to many. Each tribe has salient meals. Yoruba is one of such.

April 22, 2016
Grace
Reply

i love it

April 18, 2016
Blessing Benjamin.
Reply

Chidi, you are one in million, since I bought your cookbook my cooking have really improved. My husband is wondering how i recently fell in love with cooking, every day I just want to make one delicious food from your cookbook. Thanks Chidi for bringing back my honor. Blessing.

April 14, 2016
justice ibe
Reply

O my goodness!!!! This food is so adorable, fantastic, and delicious good looking food ooooooooo. Can’t wait to make this in my kitchen.

April 14, 2016
Amarachi Obi
Reply

Chidi, you website is Another thing entirely, pls where can I get a copy of your cookbook. I think I really want to get serious with cooking. I am a fairly good cook and recently got married. I just want to do better.

April 14, 2016
Oyinkansola
Reply

Thanks for sharing sis…. but at what point wld I add pepper to it. As it is in the ingredients. thanks

April 8, 2016
tommi
Reply

Whoa this a lesson site.

April 2, 2016
Ahmed
Reply

U are the best thanks for this recipe

March 30, 2016
Ezekiel Temidayo
Reply

I love this 4 me am from Edo State but i was born and brought up at Osun State, i cann’t cook Edo Soup but but but Yoruba Soup am Perfect on that

February 20, 2016
Mavis Stowe
Reply

Hi am very happy 4 ur assistance 2 me in preparing Nigerian meals,u r a darling keep it up.

February 19, 2016
laure
Reply

Can i get a recipe for shawarma chicken.Thanks

February 18, 2016
taiwo
Reply

Nice site, good recipe

February 18, 2016
aijay
Reply

Thanks for the dishes..

February 18, 2016
esther
Reply

Am happy to be here

February 18, 2016
Adama Sufyan
Reply

Hi, i am very new ,i am from northern Nigeria. I believe i would learn a lot from you. Thanks

January 23, 2016
Unique
Reply

Hi Chidi, I’m from the north and my fiance is a yoruba guy, I once asked him what his favourite dish is n he mentioned Amala and Akuku soup and I really don’t know how to make Akuku. can you pls send the recipe to my email

December 2, 2015
Yemisi
Reply

Kudos to you. Im Yoruba n also married a Yoruba man, will like to learn other Nigerian food n recipes. Yoruba doesn’t have much recipes. Thanks in anticipation

October 3, 2015
ada
Reply

Hi, i already know a lot to cook but not all my man is ibo but yesterday i eat amala i loved it so i want to cook it myself
I love to cook and learn more and i believe this is the right site for it
thanks for charing

September 20, 2015
Cynthia Lawrence
Reply

How do I get the ultimate Nigerian cookbook?

September 19, 2015
dapo
Reply

ask the master teacher google,i trust u could find the app

September 22, 2016
Olori
Reply

I always appreciate your cooking.

September 17, 2015
faith
Reply

I love this site. pls keep up the good work

August 27, 2015
Amina
Reply

I am from hausa Nigeria but looking to learn how to make foods by other Nigerian ethic groups, thanks for the Yoruba recipes, I love your emails too. Thanks

July 27, 2015
Oladokun Moses. R
Reply

Am a Yoruba guy and I love your comments nice, you will learn and get it am a caterer you can hint me on whatsapp I will like to teach you
+2348096601708

September 17, 2018
Helen
Reply

Wow, this site is great and lovely, I am dating a yoruba guy and wondering if I would ever be able to make the kind of foods that he love to eat, thanks for the recipes, I can now make yoruba foods with confidence. I also tried your Efo riro and my boyfriend ate twice, lol. Thanks

July 27, 2015
halalkhichen
Reply

am proud to be a menber!

July 26, 2015
james joe
Reply

iam a chef and i love nigerian food

November 4, 2014
Thea Francis
Reply

Hi I married and am now divorced to a Igbo guy and have friends still who Are Yoruba and I am. Cook by trade. I’m interested in opening up my own small restaurant…..selling Nigerian food stock and take away. for low reasonable prices $11 ….would you be keen to buy from me and support my business??

August 29, 2014
Chidi Anegbu
Reply

OK, thanks for your comment.

September 3, 2014
Kemi
Reply

I’m interested in making Nigerian foods because I have realized that we don’t have so many recipes in Nigeria Especially,we the yorubas. So I need to learn more to be able to cook varieties of food for my family and my future family

August 1, 2013
olufemi
Reply

May be because,you have been living in Lagoos or outside yoruba Land, We have many recipe in Yoruba Land
1.Efo Riro- Spinach
2.Obe Olowonjeja—Conyza —good for Asthma
3.Obe Isapa
4.Obe Worowo–Solanecio Biafrae
6. Obe Ewuro
7. Obe Ebolo
8.Obe Ajapa
9. Obe Marugbo
10.Obe Ate
11. Obe Efinrin Scent Leave
12. Obe Gbure
13.Obe Amunutut
14.Obe Gbegiri
15.Obe Ewedu
16.Obe ata
17. Obe Egusi

and Many More.Search Google for all of these yoruba soup.They are maily yoruba recipie.Granish it wil orisiris and crayfish with any type of fish.you will know that we are simply the best.

May 23, 2018
Chidi
Reply

Lol, I agree.

May 24, 2018
Mike
Reply

Hello Philomena, I would suggest that you start with the simple Nigerian recipes, take jollof rice for instance, every Nigerian eats jollof rice. You might wanna start with that and then maybe, if you get it right you can graduate to other local yoruba recipes

July 27, 2013
philomena
Reply

Hello, I am very new to making Nigerian foods. I am getting married to a Nigerian person in few months time and I just want to know how to make some of the best yoruba foods. Actually I would like to start with the easy recipes and then graduate to the complex ones on the long run. He is from Yoruba while I am British, I am a kitchen kind of person and I have learned a lot about British recipes, I just hope that Nigerian recipes would be easy too

July 27, 2013
Tunde
Reply

Dont know how long this has been here but believe by now you would have found a way out. some the ones given above should help.

November 16, 2016
vanessa
Reply

its so easy even i can cook nigerian food and i am mixed race(half british and half nigerian )

March 18, 2020
Sarah
Reply

Thank you for teaching me how to cook moi moi, my husband love it and he doesn’t allow me to buy it outside. I will prepare it this weekend

May 21, 2020

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