Nigerian Beef Suya

This Nigerian Beef Suya is spicy, bold, and delicious. It is made with just eight ingredients and is ready in 30 minutes. Serve it with tomatoes and onions as an appetizer or main course.

Nigerian beef suya on kebab sticks with red onions, tomato and cucmbers.
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If you ask any West African about street food, I guarantee they will mention suya. Suya is a savory, spicy meat served on a skewer in the streets of West Africa. You can recreate it in the comfort of your own home and serve this Nigerian beef suya as an appetizer or side for dinner or at parties.

If you like this Nigerian beef suya, you will enjoy my Nigerian Grilled Fish, Asun (Spicy Goat Meat), Abula, Akara, Grilled Suya Chicken Legs and Easy Ethiopian Beef Tibs.

Why This Recipe Works

  • This Nigerian beef suya is very quick to make because the suya spice is shop-bought.
  • This recipe is low-carb. If you are a suya lover, you will enjoy these tasty Suya Chicken Wings.
  • It's filled with so much flavor and delicious spices and can be served with Fried Yam Dundun and The Best Nigerian Puff Puff.
  • It is easy to double and triple this Nigerian beef suya recipe if you are feeding a larger crowd.

Nigerian Beef Suya Ingredients

Onion, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, flank steak, salt, beef seasoning, yaji spice, and oil.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

  • Beef: If you use frozen meat, let it thaw completely overnight in the fridge before preparing.
  • Yaji spice: Select a good-quality yaji or suya spice for the best flavor. Check if the spice includes sodium. If it does, be mindful of how much salt you add.
  • Onion: Select fresh white or red onions for serving.
  • Tomatoes: For serving.

Tips and Substitutions

  • Marinate: If you have extra time, marinate the beef in the fridge for 30 minutes.
  • Cut: Make the beef chunks thin if you want authentic beef suya.
  • Serve: Serve with onions and tomatoes on a newspaper and reserve some suya spice for serving.

How to Make Nigerian Beef Suya

Sliced flank steak in a white plate.

1. Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling. Cut the beef into thin strips against the grain for tenderness.

Sliced flank steak marinated with yaji spice and seasoning in a glass bowl.

2. In a bowl, add beef stock cubes, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, suya spice, and salt. Mix thoroughly until every strip is fully coated. Cover with cling film and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.

Marinated flank steak on kebab sticks on a baking tray.

3. Thread the marinated beef strips onto the soaked skewers. Sprinkle the remaining suya spice over the meat, then lightly brush with vegetable oil.

Half marinated flank steak on kebab sticks on a baking tray.

4. Place skewers on an oven rack and grill at 200°C (400°F) for 15 minutes per side, or until cooked through and slightly charred.

Grilled flank steak on kebab sticks on a baking tray.

5. Carefully remove the skewers from the oven and slide off the meat.

6. Garnish with extra suya spice, thinly sliced onions, and fresh tomatoes. Serve hot and savour the smoky, spicy goodness of this street food favorite! Finally, enjoy this Nigerian beef suya with suya spice, tomatoes and onions. For a full Nigerian buffet serve with Fried Plantain, Nigerian Jollof Rice and Moin Moin.

Suya meat, spice, cucumber, tomatoes and red onions on paper.

Recipe FAQS

What does Suya taste like?

Suya is a popular West African spice with savory, smoky, spicy, and nutty flavors. It is usually used to marinate thin meat and is served on a skewer as street food in West Africa. You can make your suya spice with ground peanuts, salt, smoked paprika, ground ginger, garlic powder, onion powder, chicken bouillon powder, and cayenne pepper or you can buy ready-made suya spice. A popular brand is Yaji suya spice.

Who invented Suya?

Suya originates from the Northern part of Nigeria and has become quite popular all over West Africa as it is very affordable.

What Suya Spice Should I Buy?

Most suya spice mixes include ground peanuts, salt, smoked paprika, ginger, garlic powder, onion powder, chicken bouillon powder and cayenne pepper. The most popular brand is Yaji, but you should feel free to use other mixes with these ingredients.

How to store Nigerian beef suya?

Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

More Delicious African Recipes

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Beef suya on kebab sticks with red onions and cucumber.

Nigerian Beef Suya

Jen Sim
This Nigerian Beef Suya is spicy, bold, and delicious. It is made with just eight ingredients and is ready in 30 minutes. Serve it with tomatoes and onions as an appetizer or main course.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer, Side, starter
Cuisine: Nigerian
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 3 people
Calories: 719kcal
Author: Jen Sim

Equipment

  • 1 chopping board
  • Chefs knife

Ingredients

  • 1 kg flank steak suya meat
  • 4-5 tablespoons of Yaji spice suya spice
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoon of beef Knorr seasoning
  • Salt to taste
  • Sunflower/Vegetable oil

Plating

  • 2 red onions
  • 3 tomatoes
  • Parsley to garnish
  • Kebab sticks

Instructions

  • Soak the skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before using them to prevent them from burning in the oven.
  • Slice the meat into thin slices against the grain.
  • Add Knorr beef cubes, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, suya spice, and salt to the beef strips. Mix well, cover with clingfilm and leave in the fridge to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven or grill at 200C/400F. Bring out the marinated beef and add it to the pre-soaked skewers. Apply the remaining half of the suya spice all over, then brush with oil.
  • Place the beef on an oven rack, then grill at a temperature of 200C/400F for 15 minutes on each side.
  • Once done, remove the Suya from the skewers from the oven, sprinkle with more suya spice, and serve with sliced onions and tomatoes. Enjoy delicious, smoky Nigerian suya.

Notes

  • Marinate: If you have extra time, marinate the beef in the fridge for 30 minutes.
  • Cut: Slice the beef into thin chunks for authentic beef suya.
  • Serve: Serve the beef with onions and tomatoes on a newspaper, and save some suya spice for serving.
  • Batch: Feel free to half, double or triple the ingredients in this recipe to feed more or less people.

Nutrition

Serving: 373g | Calories: 719kcal | Carbohydrates: 11.51g | Protein: 72.92g | Fat: 41.62g | Saturated Fat: 9.925g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.815g | Monounsaturated Fat: 26.266g | Cholesterol: 200mg | Sodium: 185mg | Potassium: 1288mg | Fiber: 2.5g | Sugar: 1.04g | Vitamin A: 834IU | Vitamin C: 4.1mg | Calcium: 167mg | Iron: 8.14mg
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2 Comments

5 from 1 vote

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