How To Make Nigerian Beef Suya {recipe}

Experience the bold and fiery flavors of Nigeria with our beef suya recipe. Thinly sliced beef, marinated in a blend of spices, grilled to perfection, and served with a side of spicy peanut sauce. Perfect for a flavorful and satisfying meal that will transport you to the streets of Lagos.

Related Beef Recipes Post:

• Braised Beef Neck Bones
• Korean Style Flanken Beef Short Rib
• Cajun Rice and Gravy

As part of this year's Juneteenth celebration, I've collaborated with several other amazing black food bloggers for a Juneteenth Cookout Takeover.  My contribution is this easy to make West African beef suya skewers recipe seasoned with the most incredible peanut based spice mix for a show-off worthy party appetizer or insatiable main dish. 

Like all the contributions to the Cook-out, my dish is celebratory in recognition of Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery (June 19, 1865) two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation when word finally got to the last enslaved people in Texas.

This Cookout initiative was created to celebrate liberation as well as to amplify the food traditions of black culinary creatives.

It's summertime and that means grilling out! If you're looking for a new, delicious grilled dish to add to your repertoire, look no further than Nigerian beef suya skewers.

This African street food is easy to make and perfect for a summer BBQ. Plus, it's bound to impress your guests with its unique flavor profile. So fire up the grill and give these skewers a try!

These beef suya skewers are a delicious and easy way to enjoy Nigerian street food at home. The beef is marinated in a spicy peanut sauce, then grilled over high heat for a perfect char.

Beats and Eats (music to pair with Beef Suya)

The music of Fertile Ground is highly spiritual. I listen and immediately feel a connection that goes beyond the beat and melody. Such is also the experience to eating really really good beef suya. Enjoy a few skewers, crack open a cold one, and just "let the wind blow!"

What is Beef Suya?

If you are interested in developing Nigerian recipes, start with Beef suya. It is Nigerian street food featuring grilled beef skewers seasoned with ground peanuts and spices.

Suya actually refers to the seasoning mix which typically includes the aforementioned ground peanuts, brown sugar, salt, pepper, paprika, and chili pepper.

The flavor is complex and the aroma is strong but pleasant. Heat levels vary depending on the cook, but the depth of flavor is consistent and is the draw that will make you overeat if you're not careful.

It is often served with white rice or couscous, and sometimes topped with onions, tomatoes, and scotch bonnet peppers.

What Does Suya Taste Like

Suya boasts a distinctive taste profile that tantalizes the palate with its bold and savory flavors. The seasoning blend, often featuring ground peanuts, spices like ginger, garlic, and paprika, as well as chili peppers, delivers a complex and aromatic experience. The rich nuttiness of the peanuts harmonizes with the warmth of the spices, while the chili peppers add a gentle kick of heat.

Grilling the meat enhances its smokiness, further deepening the flavor profile. Together, these elements create a mouthwatering combination that is savory, slightly spicy, and utterly delicious.

What Beef Cut Is Best To Make Skewers

The best type of beef for beef suya is a lean and tender cut, such as flank or sirloin steak. These cuts are ideal for suya skewers as they offer a good balance of flavor and tenderness, making them perfect for grilling. Additionally, choosing a well-marbled cut of beef can add extra juiciness and flavor to the suya skewers.

It's important to thinly slice the beef against the grain to ensure that it remains tender and easy to bite into after grilling. Overall, selecting a high-quality and well-suited cut of beef is key to achieving delicious and succulent beef suya.

Key Flavor Ingredients In Suya Spice Mix

The ingredient list is a short one. The suya spice blend drives the dish. For the peanuts go for unsalted and non-roasted. For the spice mix that accompanies the peanut butter, I go with garlic powder, ground ginger, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Dial the cayenne up or down depending on your heat preference.

• DRY-ROASTED Peanuts unsalted - Using unsalted peanuts in a suya recipe allows for better control over the overall saltiness of the dish. Since suya seasoning typically contains various spices and salt, using unsalted peanuts ensures that the final seasoning blend isn't overly salty. This allows for a more balanced flavor profile, allowing the other spices and ingredients to shine without being overshadowed by excessive saltiness
• Smoked sweet paprika - adds a distinct smoky flavor to suya spice, enhancing its overall complexity and depth. Additionally, it contributes a rich reddish hue to the spice blend, adding visual appeal to the dish.
• Ground ginger - contributes a warm and aromatic flavor to suya spice, contributing to its overall depth and complexity. It provides a subtle spicy kick and a hint of sweetness, complementing the other spices in the blend.
• Garlic powder - provides a savory flavor to suya spice, enhancing its overall umami profile. It contributes depth and complexity to the seasoning blend, providing a rich and robust garlic flavor without the moisture content of fresh garlic. Additionally, garlic powder helps to round out the other spices in the blend, adding a subtle earthiness and enhancing the overall taste of the suya skewers.
• Onion powder - contributes a subtle onion flavor without the moisture content of fresh onions, allowing for a more concentrated taste. Additionally, onion powder helps to balance out the other spices in the blend, providing a savory base and enhancing the overall umami profile of the suya seasoning.
• Brown sugar - adds a touch of sweetness and caramelization to suya spice, balancing out the heat from the chili peppers and enhancing the overall flavor profile. It contributes depth and complexity to the seasoning blend, creating a well-rounded taste with a hint of molasses-like richness. Additionally, brown sugar helps to create a beautiful caramelized crust on the suya skewers when grilled, adding texture and visual appeal to the dish.
• Cayenne pepper - adds heat and a subtle earthy flavor enhancing its overall spiciness and complexity. It contributes a fiery kick that is characteristic of suya seasoning, providing a bold and invigorating taste experience.
• Chicken bouillon powder - imbues the seasoning blend with a rich chicken essence, enhancing the overall savory notes and providing a satisfying taste experience. Additionally, chicken bouillon powder contributes saltiness and a subtle hint of herbs and spices, further enhancing the flavor profile of the suya seasoning.

Tip: Use the lime after grilling the skewers. They brighten the dish and help bring out the flavors.

How to make beef suya skewers (step by step)?

step 1: Make the suya spice mix

Pulse peanuts in a food processor until finely chopped. Add garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, ginger, kosher salt, sugar, bouillon, and pepper; pulse to combine.

Place ¾ of the spice mix in a large mixing bowl. Reserve a quarter of the mixture and set aside for later.

step 2: make the suya paste

Add half the oil to the mixing bowl to create a paste. Mix thoroughly using your hands.

step 3: prepare the meat

Season beef with salt and let sit for half an hour

Combine beef with the peanut mixture and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours or up to overnight.

Soak the wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes.

Preheat a grill to medium-high (about 450°F). Using the remaining oil dampen a paper towels and brush the grate with it.

step 4: grill the beef

Thread beef onto skewers.

Grill, turning once or twice, until lightly charred and nearly cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a platter; squeeze lime juice onto skewers.

Optionally, add remaining suya spice mix to the skewers. Serve with sliced red onions, tomato, and cucumber.

What To Serve With Suya

1. Jollof Rice: A flavorful and vibrant one-pot rice dish cooked in a tomato-based sauce, perfect for soaking up the spices of the suya.
2. Fried Plantains: Sweet and caramelized plantains provide a delicious contrast to the savory and spicy flavors of the suya skewers.
3. Grilled Vegetables: Tender and smoky grilled vegetables, such as bell peppers, onions, and zucchini, add a refreshing and nutritious element to the meal.
4. Coleslaw: A crunchy and creamy coleslaw with a tangy dressing offers a cool and refreshing contrast to the bold flavors of the suya.
5. Garlic Roasted Potatoes: Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, roasted potatoes seasoned with garlic and herbs provide a hearty and satisfying accompaniment to the suya skewers.
6. Couscous Salad: Light and fluffy couscous mixed with fresh herbs, diced tomatoes, and cucumbers create a refreshing side dish that complements the spiciness of the suya.

Suya Cooking Considerations and Tips

• Soak the wooden skewers ahead of timeso that they don't burn when cooking
• Target beef slice sizes somewhere between a Greek kebab (chunky) and Vietnamese satay (thin)
• Salt the beef strips ahead of time to make them more receptive to the flavors from the spice mix
• Be sure to use unsalted roasted peanuts for your suya spice blend
• Some spice heat is required as you'll need it to balance against the peanut flavor. However, do adjust the seasoning to your preferred level.
• The brown sugar in the recipe helps achieve that caramelization on the beef slices when grilling. This is next-level flavor stuff and also adds that sexy visual appeal
• Dash the skewers with lime juice before serving
• These are in regular rotation at our family barbecues. The skewers make great appetizers or can be served over a bed of jollof rice for dinner. Cucumber salad and even Southern potato salad go well with suya also.
• Make these indoors by using a stovetop grill pan

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How easy is it to make beef suya?

This is an easy, no fuss recipe. It's actually fairly low involved. If you have a knife, blender, and grill you're good to go. Skewering the meat is the only real work involved in this recipe. Beyond that, you'll need to slice the beef and blend the seasoning mix, rub, grill and eat!

Tip: Slice you steak thinly. Thinner cuts will cook fast over high heat and remain tender.

What is the best beef for suya?

For this recipe I used sirloin steak. It's a great cut to use as it's easy to slice thinly. The key is to use a tender cut that can hold up to high heat grilling. Flat-iron and ribeyes are cuts that would do well also.

Does the suya spice work with other foods?

Traditional recipes call for beef skewers, but the seasoning works just as well with chicken as well as lamb and even duck. I'm currently entertaining ideas for my next suya recipe. Who knows, maybe it will be recipes for popcorn or lobster. Stay tuned!

How long will leftovers last?

Leftover suya can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Does the suya spice work with other foods?

Traditional recipes call for beef, but the seasoning works just as well with chicken as well as lamb. I'm currently entertaining ideas for my next suya recipe. Who knows, maybe it will be recipes for popcorn or lobster. Stay tuned!

For other similar recipes try:

Peruvian Chicken Skewers

Nigerian Shrimp Skewers

Blistered Shishito Peppers

Make This Beef Suya Recipe

Nigerian beef suya skewers offer a delectable and flavorful culinary experience that captivates the senses with their bold spices, savory peanut undertones, and smoky grilled goodness. Whether enjoyed as a street food delight or as a centerpiece at a gathering, suya never fails to satisfy with its irresistible taste and cultural significance.

With each bite, one is transported to the vibrant streets of Nigeria, where the aroma of grilling meat and the sound of sizzling spices fill the air. Embraced by both locals and enthusiasts worldwide, Nigerian beef suya skewers stand as a testament to the rich culinary heritage and diverse flavors of Nigerian cuisine.

This beef suya recipe is a delicious way to enjoy this dish from West Africa. The spice rub used in the recipe is common in many African countries, so you can experiment with different combinations to find your favorite flavor profile. We hope you enjoy this dish as much as we do!

If you make these delicious crowd-pleasing Nigerian beef suya skewers please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. Definitely take a photo of the dish and be sure to tag #foodfidelity so that I can see them.

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