What Is Suya Spice Made Of?
Suya spice, also called yaji, is the flavorful spice blend used to make Nigerian suya. Suya is a popular West African grilled meat street food, often made with beef, chicken, ram, or organ meats.
The spice is smoky, nutty, spicy, and savory.
Common Suya Spice Ingredients
Suya spice usually includes:
- Ground roasted peanuts or peanut powder
- Ground ginger
- Cayenne pepper
- Paprika
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- White pepper or black pepper
- Salt
- Seasoning powder
- Optional: cloves, alligator pepper, bouillon, chili flakes
Why Are Peanuts Used in Suya Spice?
Ground peanuts give suya spice its nutty flavor and help the seasoning stick to the meat. The peanut base is one of the things that makes suya different from ordinary grilled meat.
How to Use Suya Spice
You can use suya spice on:
- Beef skewers
- Chicken
- Grilled fish
- Roasted goat meat
- Turkey
- Plantain
- Fries
- Popcorn
- Roasted vegetables
Simple Suya Marinade
Mix suya spice with a little oil and rub it over thinly sliced meat. Let it marinate, then grill, roast, or pan-fry until cooked.
Where Can You Buy Suya Spice?
Suya spice is available at African grocery stores, Nigerian food markets, international grocery stores, and online spice shops.
FAQ
Is suya spice very hot? It can be spicy, but the heat depends on how much chili or cayenne is used.
Is suya spice the same as yaji? Yes. Yaji is another name for suya spice.
Does suya spice contain peanuts? Most traditional suya spice contains ground peanuts, so people with peanut allergies should avoid it unless it is clearly labeled peanut-free.