This homemade Nigerian pepper soup will set your tastebuds on fire …not literally. This spicy broth is extremely rich in flavour, vibrant in appearance and super easy to prepare at home. Trust me, you will love this one!
Every single time I make a dish like this I am transported to my childhood. Growing up I was surrounded by Oguta (Imo state) women and those women know how to spoil someone with food if they love them. I always looked forward to going to my mom’s cousins house because they always had something scrumptious cooking.
On one glorious sunday we visited my aunt. Believe me when I tell you that I could smell the aroma of the soup from the gate and if it was tensioning me like that imagine what it was doing to the neighbours. She made pepper soup with all kinds of assorted meats and offals , garnished it with Uziza and blessed it with God’s personal orishirishi. Till today I will never forget the flavour of that soup and I have spent years trying to replicate it.This comes close.
This soup is very popular in Nigerian households and there are many reasons why. Some people use it as comfort food, others use It to clear their sinuses and actors in Nollywood movies may use it to charm their lovers! The possibilities go far and wide.
What are the ingredients in pepper soup
as I said many people make peppers soup in different ways. here is what I have in mine
Ginger– if you haven’t added this to your soup before now is the time to step up your flavours. if you do not have fresh ginger you can always use ginger powder
Garlic- Since garlic has such a strong flavour, you only need 3 cloves. This way you get the required kick without overpowering the authentic flavour of your dish. This ingredient is optional
Onion– the slight sweetness of onion is wonderful in pepper soup
Meat– goat meat is my favourite for this recipe but you are more than welcome to use any meat of your choice like offals, chicken or even fish
Pepper soup spices– spices are made of calabash nutmeg, pimento seeds, peppercorns, alligator pepper,selim and coco plum (gbafilo). It comes prepackaged and you can find it at any African store
Scotch bonnets or habanero– the amount of pepper you add will depend on how much heat you can handle. Do not do pass yourself with this dish
Spices and herbs
Plantain– you can also use yam or potatoe as substitutes
I try to post what I enjoy eating as a nigerianfoodie. The best part is that I get to share it with you and hopefully you enjoy it as much as I do! Grab the recipe, go shopping and lets start cooking.
P.s if you try this recipe at home, remember to tag me @nigerianfoodiehub on instagram so that I get to see it and I add you to my cabinet of honourable foodies.
More Nigerian recipes
Craving more bold spices and Nigerian favourites? Here are some tasty recipes for you to try out…
Nigerian pepper soup
Ingredients
- 1 lb goat meat and shaki
- 1 pinky size garlic
- 3 clove garlic
- 1 small onion
- 6 scotch bonnets
- 5 cups water
- chopped basil hand full
Spices
- salt to taste
- 1 tbsp pepper soup spice
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 3 tbsp crayfish
- 1 tsp Cameroon pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 3 stock cubes
Instructions
- Prepare meat marinade by finely blending scotch bonnet, onion, garlic and ginger
- Cut goat meat into tiny pieces and place in pot. Season with marinade , salt, seasoning cube, Cameroon pepper and paprika. Let it cook for 30-40 minutes on medium heat.
- While meat is cooking boil unripe plantain for 10 minutes, drain water and set aside
- Once meat is cooked, add 4 cups of water to the pot, boiled plantain and season with nutmeg, pepper soup spice, crayfish and a little more salt. Let it cook for 15 more minutes
- Add chopped basil and 1 chopped red pepper to garnish . Let it simmer for 1 minute and serve hot.
