Suya (Nigerian Spicy Beef Skewers)
West Africa's street-grill classic. thinly sliced beef coated in yaji peanut spice mix, charred over fire. Serve with sliced onion, tomato, and lime.
- Total time:
- 37 min
- Servings:
- 4
- Per serving:
- 410 kcal
- Cost per serving:
- $5.10
- Difficulty:
- medium
Step-by-step
Pulse peanuts in a grinder until fine and dry but not buttery. Mix with all spices, stock cube, and salt to make yaji.
Rub beef slices with oil. Coat generously with half the yaji. Rest 15 minutes.
Thread onto soaked skewers, accordion-style.
Grill over high heat 3 minutes per side, or broil 4 minutes per side until charred at edges.
8 min timer
Sprinkle with remaining yaji while hot.
Serve with raw onion, tomato, and lime wedges.
Cook's tip
Slice beef partially-frozen for paper-thin pieces. Yaji loses heat fast. store in airtight jar.
Storage
Best eaten fresh. Leftover beef refrigerates 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze cooked suya 1 month.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 410
- Protein
- 38g
- Carbs
- 8g
- Fat
- 25g
- Fiber
- 2g
- Sugar
- 3g
- Sat Fat
- 7g
- Sodium
- 820mg
Estimates based on USDA FoodData Central. See our nutrition disclaimer.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make yaji without peanuts?
Sub roasted sunflower seeds 1:1. Different flavor but still excellent.
Can I make this in the oven?
Yes. broil 4 minutes per side. The char comes from high direct heat.
Reviews
Marcus B.
1 week ago
First time cooking this and the timing notes saved me. Did not lift the lid once. The crust at the bottom was the best part.
✓ Would make again
Aisha K.
2 weeks ago
Loved it but added an extra scotch bonnet — we like it spicy. Recipe scales well, made a double batch.
✓ Would make again
Tola O.
3 days ago
Made this for Sunday lunch — the smoky bottom turned out perfect. Family demolished the pot in twenty minutes.
✓ Would make again
Reviews shown are illustrative pre-launch. Real user reviews appear here as the community grows.
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