This Nigerian jollof rice recipe is built for families: a deep pepper base, tender parboiled rice, and just the right amount of heat.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy for busy families
- Budget-friendly
- Kid-approved
- Great for leftovers
- Flexible ingredients
How to Wash Rice
Rinse parboiled rice in warm water 2 to 3 times until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and helps each grain stay separate.
How to Make the Pepper Base
Blend tomatoes, red bell pepper, scotch bonnet, and onion until smooth. Cook it down with tomato paste in oil until thick and the raw smell disappears.
How to Build Flavor
- Use chicken stock instead of water
- Add curry, thyme, and bay leaves
- Cook on low so the rice steams evenly
- Let the pot sit on low at the end for a smoky bottom
How to Avoid Mushy Jollof
- Use parboiled long grain rice
- Get the stock-to-rice ratio right (1 cup rice : 1 cup liquid)
- Resist stirring while it cooks
What to Serve With Jollof Rice
- Grilled chicken
- Fried plantain (dodo)
- Coleslaw
- Moi moi
Nigerian Jollof Rice
A family-size, smoky, one-pot Nigerian jollof rice with simple ingredients.
Prep: 15 minutesCook: 45 minutesServes: 6Cuisine: Nigerian
Ingredients
- 3 cups long grain parboiled rice
- 4 large tomatoes, blended
- 1 red bell pepper, blended
- 1 scotch bonnet, blended (adjust to taste)
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 1/3 cup tomato paste
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bouillon cubes
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Wash rice in warm water until water runs clear, then drain.
- Heat oil in a heavy pot, sauté onions, then stir in tomato paste and fry 5 minutes.
- Add the blended tomato, pepper, and scotch bonnet. Cook 15 to 20 minutes until oil floats to the top.
- Stir in curry, thyme, bay leaves, bouillon, and salt. Pour in chicken stock and bring to a boil.
- Add rice, stir once, cover tightly, and cook on low 25 to 30 minutes until tender. Stir gently before serving.
Notes
- For smoky flavor, leave the pot on low heat 5 extra minutes without stirring.