Egusi Soup (Nigerian Melon Seed Soup)

Egusi soup is a flavorful, hearty West African dish, especially popular in
Nigerian cuisine. Made with ground melon seeds (egusi), it has a rich, nutty
flavor, enhanced by the addition of palm oil, meats, fish, and leafy vegetables
like spinach or bitterleaf. Egusi soup is typically enjoyed with fufu or pounded
yam, making it a filling and comforting main dish for any occasion.

Servings: 6 servings

Author:

Prep Time
20 minutes

Cook Time
45 minutes

Course:

Main Dish

Cuisine:

West African Nigerian

Keywords:

African Cousine Dish egusi soup Egusi (ground melon seeds)

Instructions

1 Prepare the Meat and Fish:In a large pot, add the meat (beef or goat), chopped
onions, and a pinch of salt. Add enough water to cover the meat and cook on
medium heat for about 25 minutes or until tender. Set aside. Add the smoked fish
and stockfish to the meat and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
2 Prepare the Egusi Paste:In a small bowl, mix the ground egusi seeds with a bit
of water to form a thick paste. Set aside.
3 Heat the Palm Oil:In a separate pot, heat the palm oil over medium heat. Once
hot, add the chopped onions and sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.

Cook the Egusi:Add the egusi paste to the pot with the palm oil and onions. Stir
continuously and fry the egusi for about 5 minutes, making sure it does not
burn. The egusi will start to clump together. Gently pour in the stock (water
from cooking the meat) and stir to loosen the egusi paste. Allow it to simmer
for about 10 minutes on medium heat.
4 Season the Soup:Add the ground crayfish, seasoning cubes, and ground dried
pepper. Stir well. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt or more pepper, if
desired.

Stir in the chopped bitterleaf or spinach, and cook for another 5 minutes until
the vegetables are tender. If the soup is too thick, you can add a little more
water to achieve your preferred consistency.
5 Combine Meat and Fish:Add the cooked meat, smoked fish, and stockfish back into
the pot. Stir gently to combine all ingredients. Let it simmer for another 10
minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
6 Final Taste Check:Check for seasoning and adjust as needed. Your Egusi soup is
now ready!

Egusi Soup (Nigerian Melon Seed Soup)

Course:

Cuisine:

Keywords:

🧂 Ingredients

Instructions

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