Nigerian Beef Suya (Spiced Grilled Skewers) By Serious Eats

RatingDifficultyBeginner

Prep Time2 hrsCook Time15 minsTotal Time2 hrs 15 mins

Suya is Nigerian street food at its finest—think nutty, spicy beef threaded onto skewers then grilled, the finished sticks cradled in paper or foil with a side of fresh tomatoes, sliced red onions, and a sprinkling of yajin kuli.

Yajin kuli is made from yaji—a blend of chiles, ginger, garlic, onions, salt and other spices—and ground kuli kuli, which is essentially dehydrated and defatted groundnut (peanut) paste.

Suya originated in the north of Nigeria, where the knowledge and mastery of meat is second to none.

½ cup (spooned) roasted groundnut/peanut butter powder (40g) (see note)

1 tbsp ground ginger(5g)

1 tbsp sweet paprika (8g)

1 tbsp onion powder (10g)

1 tbsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt (9g)if using table salt, use half as much by volume

1 tsp garlic powder(4g)

1 tsp cayenne pepper powder

½ tsp ground grains of selim or grains of paradise(optional)

½ tsp ground (African) cubeb pepper

¼ tsp ground cloves

For the Suya: