Suya is a popular West African street food, particularly in Nigeria, featuring tender beef marinated in a vibrant, nutty, and spicy peanut-based blend, then grilled to perfection. It’s a truly irresistible dish, perfect for sharing.
Homemade Suya: African Beef Skewers
Suya is a popular West African street food, particularly in Nigeria, featuring tender beef marinated in a vibrant, nutty, and spicy peanut-based blend, then grilled to perfection. It's a truly irresistible dish, perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb beef sirloin or top round cut into thin strips or cubes
- 0.5 cup roasted peanuts finely ground
- 2 tbsp sweet paprika
- 1 tbsp cayenne pepper or more to taste
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp salt or to taste
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil for brushing
- 10 wooden or metal skewers soaked if wooden
- 1 red onion sliced
- 1 tomato sliced
- 1 lime cut into wedges
- extra Suya spice for sprinkling
Instructions
- 1. Prepare beef: Slice beef into thin, even strips or small cubes, about 1/4-inch thick. Pat the beef dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure better spice adhesion.
- 2. Make Suya spice (Yaji): In a medium bowl, combine the finely ground roasted peanuts, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, ground ginger, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all spices are evenly distributed.
- 3. Marinate beef: In a large bowl, add the prepared beef. Toss the beef with 3-4 tablespoons of the Suya spice mix and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Use your hands to ensure every piece of beef is well coated with the spice mixture.
- 4. Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to deeply meld into the meat.
- 5. Preheat grill: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. Preheat your grill (charcoal or gas) to medium-high heat. The grill should be hot enough to get a good char.
- 6. Skewer the beef: Thread the marinated beef strips onto the soaked skewers, making sure not to pack them too tightly so they cook evenly.
- 7. Grill Suya: Lightly brush the grill grates with a little vegetable oil to prevent sticking. Place the skewers on the hot grill. Grill for 3-4 minutes per side, turning occasionally, until the beef is cooked to your desired doneness and has nice charred edges.
- 8. Serve: Remove the cooked Suya from the grill. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh slices of red onion, tomato, lime wedges, and a generous sprinkle of additional Suya spice mix. Enjoy hot!
Notes
For best flavor, marinate the beef for at least 4 hours, or overnight. Adjust cayenne pepper to your spice preference. Chicken, lamb, or even firm tofu can be substituted for beef. Serve with extra sliced onions, tomatoes, and a sprinkle of additional Suya spice.
