Nigerian Jollof Rice
The legendary party rice – a smoky, deeply flavored, tomato-based one-pot rice dish that is a cornerstone of Nigerian celebrations. This recipe aims to capture that authentic, slightly charred, and intensely delicious flavor.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500g Long grain parboiled rice(Crucial for texture; rinse thoroughly until water runs clear.)
- 800g Ripe plum tomatoes(Or 2 cans (400g each) of good quality plum tomatoes, drained.)
- 4 medium Red bell peppers (Tatashe)(Adds sweetness and color. Remove seeds and membranes.)
- 2-3 Scotch bonnet peppers(Adjust to your heat preference. Remove stems.)
- 100g (about 1/2 cup) Tomato paste(Use a good quality brand for intense flavor and color.)
- 3 large Onions(2 for blending, 1 large for frying.)
- 150ml (about 2/3 cup) Vegetable oil(Or other neutral cooking oil.)
- 600ml (about 2.5 cups) Chicken stock(Or vegetable stock. Ensure it's hot.)
- 2 tsp Dried thyme
- 1 tbsp Curry powder(Nigerian-style curry powder if available.)
- 3 Bay leaves
- 2 Seasoning cubes(Maggi or Knorr are commonly used.)
- to taste Salt
- 1/2 tsp (optional) Black pepper(Freshly ground preferred.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the base sauce: Roughly chop 2 large onions. Core and deseed the tomatoes, red bell peppers, and scotch bonnets. Place all these in a blender. Blend until you achieve a relatively smooth purée. If your blender struggles, add a tiny splash of water. Transfer the purée to a pot and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, for 30-45 minutes, or until the mixture has significantly reduced and thickened, and the raw tomato smell has dissipated. The color should deepen considerably.
⏱️ 45 minutes - 2
Fry the onions: Thinly slice the remaining 1 large onion. Heat the vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat (around 180°C / 350°F). Add the sliced onions and fry, stirring frequently, until they are deeply golden brown and caramelized, with some crispy edges. Be careful not to burn them. This step is crucial for flavor.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 3
Develop the sauce: Add the tomato paste to the pot with the fried onions and oil. Stir well and fry for about 5-7 minutes, stirring constantly. The paste should darken in color to a deep red and smell slightly sweet and roasted. This process cooks out the raw taste of the paste. Stir in the dried thyme, curry powder, and optional black pepper. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 8 minutes - 4
Combine and simmer: Pour the reduced tomato-pepper mixture from Step 1 into the pot. Stir everything together well. Add the crumbled seasoning cubes. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken further. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed, keeping in mind the stock and seasoning cubes are salty.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 5
Add rice and liquid: Rinse the parboiled rice under cold running water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and prevents mushiness. Drain the rice thoroughly. Add the rinsed rice to the sauce in the pot. Pour in the hot chicken stock and add the bay leaves. Stir everything gently to ensure the rice is evenly coated with the sauce and submerged in the liquid. The liquid level should be about 1-1.5 cm (about 1/2 inch) above the rice. If needed, add a little more hot water or stock.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 6
Cook the rice: Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to the absolute lowest setting. Cover the pot tightly with a lid. For best results, place a layer of foil or parchment paper between the pot and the lid to create a tight seal. Cook undisturbed for 30-40 minutes. Resist the urge to open the lid during this time, as this releases steam essential for cooking the rice.
⏱️ 40 minutes - 7
Achieve the 'bottom pot': After 30-40 minutes, check the rice. If it's tender and the liquid is absorbed, remove the lid. Increase the heat to medium-high for the last 5 minutes of cooking. This is the crucial step to develop the slightly smoky, charred 'bottom pot' – the most prized part of Nigerian Jollof. Stir the bottom gently to ensure even charring without burning the entire pot. You should smell a distinct smoky aroma.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 8
Rest and serve: Once the rice is cooked and slightly charred at the bottom, turn off the heat. Let the Jollof rice rest, covered, for about 5-10 minutes. This allows the grains to firm up. Gently fluff the rice with a fork, mixing the charred bits with the rest of the rice. Serve hot, traditionally accompanied by fried plantains, grilled chicken, or fish.
⏱️ 10 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Using long grain parboiled rice is essential for the correct texture; it holds its shape and doesn't get mushy.
- ✓The 'bottom pot' – the slightly charred layer at the bottom of the pot – is considered the best part by many. Achieving this requires careful heat control in the final stages.
- ✓Do not open the lid during the initial steaming phase (Step 6). The trapped steam is vital for cooking the rice evenly.
- ✓Every Nigerian family has its own secret variation and technique for Jollof rice, making it a dish with endless personal touches.
- ✓For extra smoky flavor, you can briefly grill or smoke the fresh tomatoes and peppers before blending.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Smoky Jollof: Enhance smokiness by grilling the peppers and tomatoes before blending, or by adding a tiny drop of liquid smoke (use sparingly).
- Baked Oven Jollof: After Step 5, transfer the mixture to an oven-safe dish, cover tightly with foil, and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 45-60 minutes, or until rice is cooked and liquid absorbed. Finish with a few minutes under the broiler for char.
- Coconut Jollof: Replace half of the chicken stock with coconut milk for a richer, creamier version.