
How To Make Suya
🔥🇳🇬 Authentic Nigerian Beef Suya Recipe
Thinly sliced beef, coated in a spicy peanut-based rub, grilled to smoky perfection — Suya is Nigeria’s legendary street food, and now you can bring that same fire to your kitchen or backyard grill.
It’s juicy, spicy, nutty, smoky, and addictive. Once you taste it, there’s no going back.
📍 Serves: 4–6
⏱️ Prep Time: 20 mins + Marinate 2–4 hrs | Cook Time: 20–25 mins
🛒 Ingredients:
For the Suya Spice Mix (Yaji):
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1/2 cup ground roasted peanuts (peeled & skinless – or use store-bought groundnut powder)
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1 tablespoon ground ginger
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1 tablespoon garlic powder
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1 tablespoon onion powder
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1 tablespoon smoked paprika (or ground dry pepper)
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1–2 teaspoons cayenne pepper (adjust for spice)
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1 teaspoon ground chili flakes
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1 teaspoon salt
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1 stock cube (crumbled)
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Optional: pinch of nutmeg or cloves for added depth
For the Suya:
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1.5 to 2 lbs (700–900g) beef (sirloin or flank steak works great)
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2 tablespoons vegetable oil
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Skewers (wooden or metal)
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Sliced onions, cucumbers, tomatoes (for garnish)
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Extra yaji powder for dusting
🔥 Instructions:
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Prep the Meat
Slice the beef against the grain into thin, flat strips — about 1/4 inch thick. This helps it cook faster and soak up all the flavor. -
Make the Yaji (Suya Spice)
In a bowl, combine all the spice mix ingredients. Taste it — it should be spicy, savory, and slightly nutty. Adjust salt or pepper to your liking. -
Season & Marinate
Rub the beef strips with vegetable oil, then coat generously with the yaji spice blend. Make sure every piece is well covered. Cover the bowl and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours (overnight for best flavor). -
Skewer & Grill
Thread the marinated beef onto skewers. Grill over charcoal or a hot grill pan on medium-high heat for 5–7 minutes on each side, until browned and slightly charred. Baste with a little oil while grilling to keep it juicy. -
Serve Like a Suya Spot Boss
Sprinkle extra yaji over the hot suya, then serve with sliced onions, tomatoes, and cucumber. Wrap in foil or brown paper for the full street-food experience.
✨ Pro Tips:
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Add a splash of lemon juice to the beef before marinating for a slight tang.
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No grill? No problem. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes, then broil for 3–5 mins to char the edges.
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You can also make chicken suya using boneless chicken thighs — same spice, same steps.
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