This authentic Nigerian Egusi Soup recipe creates deliciously lumpy clusters similar to scrambled eggs, allowing you to control the size of the egusi lumps according to your preference.
This traditional West African dish combines ground melon seeds with meat, seafood, and vegetables to create a rich, savory soup that pairs perfectly with various Nigerian staples.
Ingredients
- 2 cups ground egusi (melon seeds)
- 500g beef
- 1 cup cow tripe
- 1 dried catfish
- 1 piece stockfish
- 2 cooking spoons red palm oil
- 2 sweet peppers
- Habanero pepper (to taste)
- 1¾ onions (divided: ¼ chopped, ½ blended for meat, 1 blended for egusi)
- 1 large beef-flavored seasoning cube
- 2 tablespoons ground crayfish
- Leafy vegetables (choice of uziza, ugu, or spinach)
- Prep time: 45 minutes
- Cook time: 1 hour
- Serves: 6-8
Steps to Follow
- Step 1: Soak dried fish in cool water and clean all meats thoroughly
- Step 2: Grind egusi seeds and crayfish separately until fine
- Step 3: Prepare vegetables by washing and chopping
- Step 4: Cook beef with seasoning cube and chopped onions until color changes
- Step 5: Add stockfish and tripe, cover with water, and cook until tender
- Step 6: Mix ground egusi with blended onion and form into small balls
- Step 7: Heat palm oil and fry chopped onions until translucent
- Step 8: Add peppers and carefully place egusi balls in the oil
- Step 9: Fry egusi balls until caked, then break into desired-sized lumps
- Step 10: Add crayfish and meat stock, simmer for 10 minutes
- Step 11: Add all cooked meats and remaining peppers
- Step 12: Finish with leafy vegetables and salt to taste
- Step 13: Transfer immediately to serving bowl once vegetables are heated through
Additional Instructions
- Use generous amounts of onion for authentic stew-like flavor
- Ensure egusi balls aren’t overcrowded when frying
- Maintain consistent heat to achieve proper lumping
- Store in refrigerator for up to 3 days
- Serve with fufu, boiled rice, or yam
- Allergy note: Contains fish and may contain traces of nuts
General Nutritional Values
- Approx. Calories: 450 kcal per serving
- Approx. Protein: 28g
- Approx. Carbohydrates: 15g
- Approx. Fat: 35g
