Suya (Nigerian Peanut-Spiced Skewers)
Enjoy the bold flavors of Suya, Nigeria's signature street food, with these easy-to-make peanut-spiced beef skewers.
Contents (2 sections)▾
Ingredients
- 500 g thinly sliced beef
- 100 g roasted peanuts, ground
- 2 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 large onion, sliced (for garnish)
- skewers (soaked if wooden)
Steps
In a bowl, combine the ground peanuts, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and ground ginger to create the yaji spice rub.
Coat each slice of beef thoroughly in the yaji rub, ensuring each piece is well covered. This enhances flavor and creates a crust when grilled.
Preheat your grill or prepare open coals until they are glowing red and emit a light flame. This high heat is essential for charring the beef.
Thread the coated beef slices onto skewers, ensuring they are not packed too tightly, which allows for even cooking.
Grill the skewers over high heat for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally until the beef is charred and cooked through. The intense heat caramelizes the sugars in the peanuts, creating a savory crust.
Once cooked, remove the skewers from the grill and dust with additional yaji spice and garnish with sliced raw onion for added crunch and flavor.
Why this works
This recipe highlights the technique of dry-rubbing thin slices of beef with a fragrant blend of ground peanuts and spices, known as yaji. The peanut rub not only infuses the meat with rich flavors but also forms a delicious crust when grilled over high heat. The high-temperature grilling is crucial; it allows for the Maillard reaction, which develops complex flavors and a satisfying char. If the skewers seem too dry during grilling, brush them lightly with oil to maintain moisture without losing the spice coating. Proper preparation of the grill ensures that the skewers achieve a perfect balance of char and tenderness, making them irresistible. Dusting with extra yaji and adding raw onion at the end enhances the dish's complexity and provides a fresh contrast to the savory skewers.