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    Home » Recipes » Rice

    Published: Feb 13, 2023 · Modified: Mar 15, 2023 by Kelly Bloom · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    Jollof Rice Ghanaian

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Jollof rice Ghanaian style, molded in a small bowl on a plate.

    Let me introduce you to Jollof Rice, an iconic Ghanaian dish that is sure to satisfy. This hearty dish consists of rice cooked in seasoned tomato based sauce with local spices which give off a distinct flavor and aroma.

    Jollof rice Ghanaian style, molded in a small bowl on a plate.

    Why You Will Love This Recipe

    As soon as this flavorful Ghana jollof rice hits your plate, you will be transported directly to West Africa! With origins dating back centuries, Ghana Jollof rice has evolved into being one of the staples of Ghanaian cuisine and culture. I know you will love it!

    The best thing about this exciting recipe is that it can be easily made from everyday pantry ingredients - making it both delicious and convenient. Learn how to master this classic West African favorite today!

    Jump to:
    • Why You Will Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • How to Make Ghanaian Jollof Rice
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Tips for Success
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Food Safety
    • Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
    • Connect with Smells Like Delish!
    • 📖 Recipe

    Ingredients

    This flavorful Jollof rice Ghanaian style is one of the most popular dishes in West Africa, and has gained an international following. Bursting with spices, vegetables, it’s sure to tantalize your taste buds and make you wonder why it hasn't been on your dinner table sooner!

    Our Ghanaian jollof rice recipe is meatless, but Ghana jollof often has the addition of diced chicken or beef, and can be served as a one pot meal!

    Ingredients for jollof rice.

    What you Need for Jollof Rice Ghanaian style

    • Onion - for both the jollof rice seasoning paste, and to saute.
    • Vegetable oil - for both the jollof seasoning rice seasoning and to saute diced onion.
    • Ginger root - fresh.
    • Garlic - freshly peeled cloves.
    • Habanero chili pepper - or a milder chili pepper if you prefer. Hatch, Anaheim, or Jalapeno are milder options.
    • Diced tomatoes - a 28 oz can.
    • Rice - uncooked white, brown, Basmati, or Jasmine rice is fine.
    • Stock - vegetable, chicken, or beef liquid stock.
    • Bullion cubes - Wylers, Knorr, Maggi, or any brand.
    • Tomato paste - one 6 oz can.
    • Frozen Mixed Vegetables - a 12 oz bag.
    • Salt - to taste.
    • Pepper - ground black pepper to taste.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    How to Make Ghanaian Jollof Rice

    Don't let the thought of cooking authentic African food intimidate you; this dish is surprisingly easy to prepare and packed full of amazing flavors - perfect for any home cook's repertoire.

    Prepare the Onion Paste

    Any small food processor if perfect for this first part of making Jollof rice. You can use a regular size Cuisanart, but clean up is faster and easier with a mini Cuisanart processor.

    mini food processor of onion, ginger, and habanero pepper.
    1. Add the quartered onions to the mini food processor, as well as the vegetable oil, fresh ginger chunk, garlic cloves, and habanero pepper.
    pureed onion in a mini food processor.
    1. Pulse until you have a smooth paste. Transfer to a medium sized bowl to mix with the tomatoes in the next step.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Make the Tomato Puree

    diced tomatoes added to mini food processor.
    1. Empty the can of diced tomatoes into the mini food processor and blend until smooth.
    pureed tomatoes in a mini food processor.
    1. Transfer to bowl with the onion, garlic, habanero paste and mix with a spoon or spatula.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Saute the Remaining Onions

    diced onion on a chopping block.
    1. Dice the remaining ½ onion.
    onion sauteing in a dutch oven pot.
    1. Saute the diced onions with oil on medium high heat until fragrant.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Finish in a Dutch Oven on the Stove-top

    pureed tomatoes added to a dutch oven pot.
    1. Add the rice vegetable stock, tomato paste and bullion cubes to the Dutch oven.
    Rice added to pot with tomato puree.
    1. Stir ingredients, then cook on high until it starts to bubble. Reduce heat to very low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes.
    1. After 15 minutes, remove the lid and stir in the frozen mixed vegetables, adjust salt and pepper. Stir and replace the lid. Cook for another 10 minutes. Remove from heat and serve while hot.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Serving Suggestions

    Serve this delectable Ghanaian jollof rice as a side dish to our Ghanaian Meat Pies, Broiled Chicken Thighs, and Air Fryer Frozen Asaparagus. You can serve this jollof rice with our Ghana Meat Pies recipe.

    Add a few Challah rolls to sop up any juices, as our Challah rolls recipe is similar to the Ghana Sugar bread often served with this popular West African meal.

    Jollof rice Ghanaian style, molded in a small bowl on a plate.

    Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Substitutions

    Substitute the habanero chili pepper with any type of chili pepper you prefer, as habanero chilies are extremely HOT. If you use brown rice, you will need to allow for the longer cooking time that brown rice requires.

    Variations

    Here are a few scrumptious variations you can make using this jollof rice Ghanaian style recipe:

    • Ghana Jollof and Chicken - when making this Ghanaian jollof rice recipe, add some diced or shredded chicken at the same time you add the frozen mixed vegetables.
    • Ghana Jollof and Beef - add some shredded or cubed beef, or cooked ground beef, when adding the frozen mixed vegetables to this Ghanaian jollof rice recipe.

    Equipment

    Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this jollof rice, Ghanaian style.

    • Mini Cuisinart Food Processor - to make the onion and tomato paste.
    • 6 qt Cast Iron Dutch Oven - large enough to easily cook this one pot dish.
    • Nitrile Gloves - for handling chili peppers safely.

    Storage

    Store any leftover Ghana jollof in covered plastic or glass storage containers. Keep refrigerated until ready to reheat. This Ghanaian jollof rice easily reheats in the microwave.

    Tips for Success

    • For less spicy heat, remove the habanero seeds from the pepper, or use ½ of a jalapeno pepper instead, or even a teaspoon of canned Hatch chili peppers.
    • Be sure to use Nitrile gloves when handling any type of chili peppers, as even mild ones will burn your eyes simply brushing hair out of your face.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I freeze leftover Ghanaian jollof rice?

    Yes, cover in plastic or glass freezer safe containers. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator and then microwave to reheat.

    What is Ghanaian jollof rice?

    Jollof is rice cooked in a spicy, well-seasoned tomato stew. It is a dish enjoyed in several West African countries.

    What is the difference between Ghanaian or Nigerian Jollof?

    Jollof is considered a Ghanaian or Nigerian recipe, but is also common in Mali, Senegal, Gambia, Liberia, and many other countries in the West Africa region. Each country and tribe has its own variations, with Nigerian jollof using a great deal more chilies and less tomato base.

    Food Safety

    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat
    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

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    📖 Recipe

    Jollof rice Ghanaian style, molded in a small bowl on a plate.
    Print Recipe SaveSaved!
    5 from 2 votes

    Jollof Rice Ghanaian style

    Let me introduce you to Jollof Rice, an iconic Ghanaian dish that is sure to satisfy. This hearty dish consists of rice cooked in seasoned tomato based sauce with local spices which give off a distinct flavor and aroma.
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time25 mins
    Total Time45 mins
    Course: Main Dishes, Side Dishes
    Cuisine: African, Ghanaian, West African
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 369kcal
    Author: Kelly Bloom

    Equipment

    • 6 qt Enameled Dutch Oven
    • Nitrile Gloves
    • Mini Food Processor

    Ingredients

    • 1½ large onions quartered
    • ¼ cup vegetable oil
    • 1 inch ginger root fresh
    • 3 cloves garlic peeled
    • 1 Habanero pepper or any chili pepper you prefer
    • 28 oz diced tomatoes one 28 oz can
    • ½ onion diced
    • 2 teaspoon vegetable oil to saute diced onions
    • 2½ cups dry rice
    • 1½ cups stock chicken, vegetable, or beef
    • 6 oz tomato paste one 6 oz can
    • 4 bullion cubes chicken, vegetable, or beef
    • 12 oz frozen mixed vegetable
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Add the quartered onions to the mini food processor, as well as the vegetable oil, fresh ginger chunk, garlic cloves, and habanero pepper. Pulse until you have a smooth paste. Transfer to a medium sized bowl.
      1½ large onions, ¼ cup vegetable oil, 1 inch ginger root, 3 cloves garlic, 1 Habanero pepper
    • Empty the can of diced tomatoes into the mini food processor and blend until smooth. Transfer to bowl with the onion, garlic, habanero paste and mix with a spoon or spatula.
      28 oz diced tomatoes
    • Dice the remaining ½ onion. Heat the Dutch oven pot with the remaining oil, and saute the diced onions on medium high heat until fragrant.
      ½ onion, 2 teaspoon vegetable oil
    • Add the bowl of onion pasted and tomato puree to the Dutch oven of sauteed onions. Cook for a few minutes until it starts to bubble.
    • Add the rice vegetable stock, tomato paste and bullion cubes to the Dutch oven. Stir gently to blend the ingredients, then cook on high until it starts to bubble. Reduce heat to very low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes
      2½ cups dry rice, 1½ cups stock, 4 bullion cubes, 6 oz tomato paste
    • After 15 minutes, remove the lid and stir in the frozen mixed vegetables, adjust salt and pepper. Stir and replace the lid. Cook for another 10 minutes. Remove from heat and serve while hot.
      12 oz frozen mixed vegetable, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper

    Notes

    • For less spicy heat, remove the habanero seeds from the pepper, or use ½ of a jalapeno pepper instead, or even a teaspoon of canned Hatch chili peppers.
    • Be sure to use Nitrile gloves when handling any type of chili peppers, as even mild ones will burn your eyes simply brushing hair out of your face.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 369kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 864mg | Potassium: 623mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 2707IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 3mg
    Keyword : Ghana jollof, Ghana jollof rice, Ghanaian jollof rice, Jollof rice Ghanaian

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    Author photo for Kelly Bloom

    Hi, I'm Kelly! and I have a love affair with herbs & spices! Here at Smells Like Delish, I'm all about creating food that has three aspects: flavor, aroma, and texture - to create satisfying fare!

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