How to make the infamous Ghanaian Jollof rice

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What is Jollof rice?

Jollof rice is one of the most popular West African dishes, believed to have originated from Senegal/ Gambia. For this reason, the name of this flavorsome dish slightly differs from country to country across West Africa. However, vital ingredients such as tomatoes and rice remain the same. Ghanaians and Nigerians often have friendly banter about who makes the best Jollof rice.

Ingredients needed for 4-5 servings

  • 2 large onions,
  • 3 big cloves of Garlic,
  • 1-2 small ginger root (optional)
  • roughly chopped and ready to be blended
  • ⅓ cup vegetable/nut oil(80 mL), plus 2 tablespoons, divided
  • 1 medium sized green bell pepper
  • 6 large fresh tomato, 
  • 2 table spoonful of tomato paste/puree, 
  • 1-2 scotch bonnet peppers (optional)
  • 2 teaspoons all purpose seasoning powder (optional)
  • 3 Maggie cube crushed (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon black/white pepper powder
  • 1 teaspoon mixed herbs ginger
  • ½ teaspoon mixed dried herbs
  • 2¼ cups Jasmine/Basmati rice, rinsed

  • 1¼ cups water
  1. Add onions, garlic, ginger, green bell peppers and ¼ of a cup to a blender and pulse until smooth. Transfer to a medium bowl.
  2. Add the diced tomatoes, and scotch bonnet peppers to the blender, and pulse until smooth. 
  3. Add the oil in a large, mildly heated heavy-bottomed pot.
  4. As the oil is heats, add the smooth blend of onion, garlic, ginger and bell pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer for 5-7 minuets. 
  5. Add black/white pepper powder, and the mixed dried herbs. Stir ingredients well.
  6. Add tomato paste/puree and the blended fresh tomatoes and scotch bonnet mixture.  Add the all-purpose seasoning/Maggie cubes, and stir the mixture.
  7. Allow the tomatoes sauce/stew to cook for 10-15minutes, on a medium heat while the sauce stews and looks vividly  red in colour.
  8. Add the Rice to the sauce after rinsing it with some water. Stir the rice into the sauce properly and taste the sauce for salt/flavour. Add a little water.
  9. only add extra salt/ seasoning if need be, and stir.
  10. Allow the rice to cook for 25-30 minutes, and occasionally stir rice and only serve when the rice is thoroughly cooked and not mushy.
  11. Happy Cooking!


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