Exotic and flavorful, Nigerian Jollof Rice is a one-pot meal that hails from Africa and is now popular worldwide. Made from scratch, this incredibly delicious jollof rice is bursting with fresh flavors of tomatoes, bell peppers, and bay leaf, slowly simmered in tomato sauce!
This authentic Nigerian Jollof Rice Recipe is easy to make for a hearty dish or dinner. It includes red bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, and spicy peppers.
Serve this Jollof rice with chicken, or your favorite protein.
Table of Contents
What I Love About This Recipe?
This gluten-free recipe of Nigerian Jollof Rice is a blend of spicy and savory flavors!
Toddlers love Jollof Rice’s typical orange color. Most children of West African descent who live in Europe and North America are raised on a diet of Jollof rice.
Jollof rice is the highlight of the menu at Nigerian parties and restaurants. And for good reason: this rice dish is delicious and bursting with tropical flavors and aroma.
Jollof Rice is an excellent way to introduce people from around the world to the exotic tastes of Africa. They’re sure to fall in love!
What is Jollof Rice?
Nigerian Jollof Rice is a popular easy-to-cook dish well-loved in West Africa. It’s also a big hit among members of the African diaspora worldwide. It’s served as a main course for lunch or dinner in Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Senegal, and Mali. The dish is packed with flavor, color and vegetables.
Jollof rice originates from West Africa, where it’s a prominent staple food. Rice (Oryza sativa) itself originated from Asia. Jollof Rice has several different names, such benachin in Senegal or as riz au gras in other French-speaking countries. Jollof rice comes in a range of flavour variations depending on the country.
In many parts of West Africa, people enjoy rice almost daily with simpler dishes like stew. However, Jollof rice is usually served on special occasions, such as christenings, birthdays, Christmas, and weddings.
Nigerian Jollof rice is not to be confused with Nigerian fried rice (see photo below), which is cooked without tomato but with shrimps, green peas, and other additions.
Nigerian Jollof Rice
All Jollof Rice variations have a tomato base. However, due to variations in recipes, you can find different flavors in different countries. For example, Nigerian Jollof Rice features bay leaves. Ghanaians include shito and ginger, while Liberian Jollof, influenced by Creole techniques, has beef, chicken, and ham.
Traditional Nigerian Jollof Rice does not include vegetables or any other type of protein. Instead, we like to serve vegetables and proteins separately as side dishes.
Roasting the red bell peppers and fresh tomatoes gives the jollof rice a smoky flavor. If you like spicy jollof rice then increase the number of scotch bonnets included in the blended mixture to turn up the heat!
Ingredients
This recipe uses easy-to-find ingredients that can be bought from a local store if you don’t already have them in your pantry. Read the Recipe Card for the measurements.
For Nigerian Jollof Rice
- White rice – I have used long grain white rice for this recipe because it stays firm and maintains its shape. Basmati rice tends to become quite soft and mushy quickly so should be avoided.
- Plum Tomatoes – are slightly sweeter and are perfect for pureeing. They add a nice red color to this rice. You may also use cherry tomatoes, canned tomatoes or tomato paste as well. Fresh Tomatoes work best, though.
- Bell Peppers – I have used red bell pepper as this recipe needs to impart a red color to the rice. Roasting the bell pepper adds a smoky flavor!
- Scotch Bonnet – is a Caribbean chili pepper that adds spicy depth to this rice dish. If you don’t like the heat, feel free to adjust its quantity.
- Tomato Puree/Paste – Add more color and flavor to this rice by adding tomato puree.
- Chicken Stock- makes protein-rich flavorful rice. If you wish to make vegetarian or vegan rice, replace the chicken stock with veg stock or water.
- Onion- adds mild sweet flavors. I have used red onions. You may use white onions instead.
- Sunflower oil- I have used sunflower oil as its light. You may use coconut oil or vegetable oil as well.
- Knorr Cubes- Add these crisp from out and soft within, knorr cubes. Blend of flavors of chicken, onion and spices, these cubes surely enhance the aroma and taste of rice. For vegetarian/vegan options, you may add fried chunks of Tofu or broccoli.
- Thyme- Adds earthy and nutty flavor.
- Bayleaf- I have used dried bayleaf to make aromatic and flavorful rice. One large is sufficient for this recipe.
- Curry Powder- adds a spicy touch to this recipe. You may adjust the quantity.
- Salt- Table salt works well. You may also use Kosher salt.
Equipment
Variations
Jollof allows you to have a go and be creative. Feel free to add a variety of vegetables and spices to make vibrant yet flavorful rice!
- Nigerian Fried Rice – Made with shrimps, peas and without tomatoes, this fried rice is another popular Nigerian recipe.
- Vegetarian/Vegan Jollof Rice-- You can easily make vegan or vegetarian Jollof rice. Simply replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock. If you’re using tomato paste, then make sure it’s plant-based as some include fish sauce.
- Nigerian Coconut Rice-- Coconut jollof rice is another delicious alternative recipe. To make it, add coconut milk to the tomato base for a creamy, tropical twist.
- Add another topping – Add chicken or vegetables.
Storage Instructions
Leftover Jollof Rice can be stored in a dry container with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
You can freeze Jollof rice for up to three months in an airtight container. To defrost, thaw the rice on the counter and reheat in the microwave before serving.
What to Serve with This Jollof Rice
The possibilities are pretty endless when it comes to dishes that pair well with homemade Nigerian Jollof Rice. My family loves:
How to Make Jollof Rice
Here is my signature Simple Jollof Rice Recipe that I prepare for friends and family:
Prep the Oven
- Preheat the oven to roast red bell peppers. This step is optional. Only do it if you like extra smoky party-style Jollof rice.
Blend Ingredients
- Take a blender and add plum tomatoes, roasted red bell peppers, onion, and a scotch bonnet pepper. Blend until you have a smooth, spicy paste.
Saute The Sauce
- In a large saucepan, add sunflower oil and heat over high heat. Once the oil is hot, pour in the blended sauce and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring.
- To the cooked sauce, add salt, thyme, knorr cubes, curry powder (optional), tomato paste (purée), and chicken stock. Stir and cook for another 15 minutes.
Add Rice
- To the saucepan, add rinsed long grain white rice to the saucepan and stir. Add water to cover the rice and cook over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes.
- You may need to check the rice, add an additional cup of water, and stir every few minutes to prevent burning.
Flavor Rice
- Flavor the rice with bay leaves and half of a thinly sliced onion (optional), stir and cook over low heat until the rice is tender and flavor-packed.
Serve It
The delicious Jollof Rice was ready! Serve it with curd or curry!
Top Tips
- Stirring: Jollof rice burns when it is stirred too much during cooking on the stove. It also burns when there is not enough water. You should monitor your rice as it cooks, adding more water as necessary to keep the rice grains moist.
- Water: Adding too much water can result in soft mushy jollof rice. It’s a careful balance! With a bit of practice, you’ll get a feel for the exact right amount of water and rice to combine for the dish.
- Rice: If your rice is hard, the grains are probably undercooked. Add more water, bring to a simmer, and continue cooking until the grains are soft and chewy.
- Flavor: For a stronger bay leaf flavor add bay leaf to the mixed pepper sauce instead of in the last ten minutes.
FAQs
It is best to use long-grain white rice for this recipe because it stays firm and maintains its shape. Basmati rice tends to become quite soft and mushy quickly so should be avoided.
The base of jollof rice includes tomatoes, red bell peppers, scotch bonnets and tomato purée. These ingredients give jollof rice its notorious red color!
Curry powder, thyme, scotch bonnet, and bay leaf are the best spices to make a flavorful Jollof rice.
Jollof rice burns when it is stirred too much during cooking on the stove. It also burns when there is not enough water. You should monitor your rice as it cooks, adding more water as necessary to keep the rice grains moist.
More Nigerian Recipes
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Nigerian Jollof Rice Recipe
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Blender
Ingredients
- 3 cups of washed long grain white rice
- 1 cans of plum tomatoes
- 2 roasted red bell peppers
- 1 large onion
- 1 scotch bonnet
- 3 knorr cubes
- 1-2 bay leaves
- Salt to taste
- 1 tsp of thyme
- 1/4 cup of tomato puree/paste
- 2 tsp curry powder optional
- 1-2 cup of chicken stock
- Water as necessary
- A splash of vegetable/sunflower oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven at 200C and roast red bell peppers for 20-25 minutes (optional step for extra smoky jollof rice)
- Add 1 can of plum tomatoes, 2 red bell peppers, 1 large onion and 1 scotch bonnet to blender and blend until smooth.
- Add vegetable oil to cover the base of a large saucepan. Once the oil is hot pour in the blended mixture and cook on a medium heat for 10 minutes.
- Add salt to taste, 1 tsp of thyme, 3 knorr cubes, 2 tsp of curry powder (optional), 4 tbsp or 1/4 cup of tomato paste (purée) and 1-2 cups of chicken stock. Stir and cook for another 15 minutes (see notes).
- Add the rinsed white rice to the saucepan and stir. Then add 3 cups of water to cover the rice and leave to cook on a low/medium heat for 10-15 minutes (you may need to check the rice, add one more cup of water and turn the rice every 7 minutes to prevent burning).
- Finally add bay leaves and 1/2 a thinly sliced onion (optional), stir and leave to cook on a low heat until done.
Video
Notes
- Jollof rice burns when it is stirred too much during cooking on the stove. It also burns when there is not enough water. You should monitor your rice as it cooks, adding more water as necessary to keep the rice grains moist.
- Adding too much water can result in soft mushy jollof rice. It’s a careful balance! With a bit of practice, you’ll get a feel for the exact right amount of water and rice to combine for the dish.
- If your rice is hard, the grains are probably undercooked. Add more water, bring to a simmer, and continue cooking until the grains are soft and chewy.
- For a stronger bay leaf flavor add bay leaf to the mixed pepper sauce (step 4) instead of in the last ten minutes (step 6).
I tried this recipe last week and absolutely loved it. My rice came out sooo good. I’ll definitely be checking out your other recipes.
it’s awesome!
Thank you!
I saw this on Pinterest and I knew I had to try it. And how delicious it was! Just to clarify, the 1/4 cup of puree in the recipe card is tomato puree right? Thanks for this yummy recipe!
Hi Mari, I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed it! This is a staple at my house. And yes you are correct it is 1/4 cup of tomato puree. I will update the recipe card. Thanks
I made this recipe for a Nigerian birthday party and it was a hit!!! So flavorful, I will definitely be making it again!
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Melanie!
This Nigerian jollof rice looks reall tasty. I’m planning to make it as a side dish with some chicken this weekend. I know someone else asked about the tomato puree. But here in Italy, puree is tomato concentrate or paste but in US it’s like Italian passata. I assume you don’t mean paste, right?
Hi Jacqueline, chicken would be a great addition to this dish! Also, you will need to add tomato puree paste or concentrate to this recipe. This is what gives jollof rice it’s notorious orange colour!
Wow! This rice really has some beautiful flavors! I love the addition of the scotch bonnet and curry powder. So good!
Thanks Lesli. I am glad you enjoyed it
This Nigerian Jolly Rice looks like the best new staple to add to my rotation! I love a good versatile recipe like this!
Thanks Leslie! You’ll love it 🙂
I love learning about different ways to cook dishes. I can’t wait to make this recipe for the family!
You’ll love it!
Wow, this Nigerian jolly rice looks really delicious. I am going to make this for my family. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Amy! I hope you enjoy it
I cannot stop eating this rice, it’s that scrumptious!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Robin!
So glad to learn about this wonderful dish! Can’t wait to enjoy this with chicken and plantains on the side
Yes Linda! Those are my go-to sides as well 🙂
This rice flavoring is so tasty! Such a unique side dish that really adds a lot to a meal. Loved it and will make it again soon.
Thanks Julie. I am glad you enjoyed it!
Such an amazing rice dish! I love all the colors and fresh veggies and spices.
Thanks!
This rice looks amazimg. Love the combination of flavors in this rice dish. I would love to make this for my family soon. Thanks
Thank you so much! I’m sure you’ll love it.
Oh my this rice recipe looks easy to make and super delicious!
Thanks! You’ll love it
what a delicious rice dish! My family devoured it and asked for it again tonight!
Thanks Chef Dennis! Glad you all enjoyed it.
I have been yearning to try jollof, and this was the perfect recipe to start! It was fairly easy to make, and was full of such robust and amazing flavors.
Described perfectly! Thanks for leaving a review 🙂
We’re always looking for new rice recipes and this was was a great add to our menu. Loved trying out your recipe.
Thanks!
Ive always been intimidated to try making authentic Jollof rice but no more! This came out so delicious and cooked perfectly. Thanks for the great recipe!
No need to be intimidated you just need the right recipe! I’m so glad that you enjoyed it 🙂
I had gone to a Nigerian restaurant last weekend and had some Joloff Rice. It was so good that when I saw your recipe I knew I had to try it myself. I liked this version even better. I don’t think the restaurant used curry powder.
Cool! Including curry powder is optional but some people do for more flavor. I’m so glad that you enjoyed it!
I love this recipe! This was my first time trying to make Jollof Rice myself and I was so happy with how it came out! Thanks!
Okay, this jollof recipe is my new go-to! I’ve made it twice now and each time it turns out PERFECT! Thank you for the recipe!
Glad you like it! Thanks for the feedback.
I really can’t get enough of this Jollof recipe! I have served it with so many things. It really is the perfect side. So good!
All of your tips for troubleshooting are spot on for making the perfect pot of jollof. Thank you!
Thank you so much for sharing this nigerian Jollof rice recipe! My new favorite! It taste really amazing and very easy to make!
This is such a flavorful side dish for any meal. Great to go with slow-roasted chicken.
Exactly Sharon! I’ve tried it with slow-roasted chicken on several occasions and it tastes amazing.
This is my daughter’s treat recipe. The recipe turns out perfect each time.
Glad to hear it!
Oh my goodness, this jollof rice recipe was so flavorful. I love jollof rice and have always wanted to try making my own. Your recipe made it so easy and it came out perfect!
That’s wonderful! With the right recipe, Jollof rice can be made quite easily.
Never made rice with tomato puree, but this one looks interesting. Love how easy and delicious this looks .. thanks for sharing
Love this dish. I make it slightly differently by frying onions and tomatoes in a skillet and let it cook with some salt and spices on low heat. Once the oil separates – I let it cool down before blending it and mixing it with my rice. Yum!
Delicious dish with a perfect amount of spice. Thanks for sharing.
What size can of plum tomatoes?
Hi Kelly, any average-sized can is fine. I used a 400g can.