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.
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.
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, it was made 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. As I said, it is really easy; as long as you can find the necessary ingredients.
Ingredients For Nigerian Beef Suya
Beef (1KG)
Suya Spice
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 but it is not necessary if you live in Nigeria. If you don’t live in Nigeria you can still purchase the spice from most online shops.
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 the friendly ABOKI for directions. If you get the main spice, you can be sure to make the exact kind of beef suya that you love.
How to Make Suya
Wash the beef properly and slice into thin fillets, you can easily do this with a kitchen knife. You can see the picture below. If you are using chicken, you just need to apply the spices to the chicken, you don’t need to slice into fillet as is the case with beef.
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 to ascertain that it actually tastes like what you get from the mallam.
Stake the beef on the sticks and sprinkle the mixed spice all around it, sprinkle evenly on both sides, and commence with the grilling part.
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.
Grill your suya using the local or electric griller. You can also use your kitchen oven if it have griling compartment. I used my kitchen oven
You have to 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 turn out.
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Here is the video for suya, enjoy.
Chicken Recipe
The popular Nigerian suya can be made out 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 the one made with chicken.
Recipe for Chicken Suya
You will be using the same exact 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

Beef Suya Recipe
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
47 Comments
Wow thank you sir
Wow! this is comprehensive and well written. Chy you have saved me a lot of money. I will now make suya in my own house. bad market for aboki them. lol
Interesting
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.
Wow!!! I love this Chy 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.
So adorable Chy please can I have some.
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.
Thank you, Chy.
Nice recipe,will try it this weekend,thanks a lot
Ma you’re wonderful thanks.
How do I prepare the soya spice myself?
This is really nice my namesake. I appreciate dis alots. May God bless u more.
God bless you big,i will try this very soon.
Chy u are a God sent! God bless you cos you have been a blessing to many.
Bravo! Can’t wait to try this
Wao tnx so very much cos i lv suya
Chy,You are wonderful .thanks a lot.how do I introduce someone to your blog?
Nice one.
Nice one chy baby u are really God sent. I wiil try dis by weekend. Luv u.
Thanks for the gud job.I ll give it a trial dis weekend.
Wow…I’m going to try mine. Keep up the good work. Tnx a lot.
Fantastic! Thank you for the knowledge shared. I just learned how to make suya.
my Tutor, You are doing a great job.
please can you teach me how to make pepper meat.
Well detailed. Good job.
Wow! This is great, i will try this very soon. God bless you real good.
Chy dearie. I appreciate ur efforts. Tnx a million.
Tnx Chi baby. This is lovely. Keep living.
That’s gr8 Chy thanks 4 d gud job, it so amazing I Cann’t wait to try it.
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 🙂
Chy,u are the best.
Thank, Hope There Won’t Health Problems Using That Spice.
Nice one
Wow.! Chy, 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!
Chy, 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?
Thanks Bae….God bless you for this…
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
ur blog is really helpful, we r really proud of u. keep up d good work. Thanks for the suya recipe.
Chy, this is superb. Tanx
wow interesting tanks for the recipe its helping a lot
chy dts a vry wondaful dishe, am happy 2 b wt u guys. tnx.
I wish there was a video!
Great lesson, tanx
This is nice. will try it out cos I enjoy suya so much. I pray it comes out well
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.
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.