How to Prepare Traditional Nigerian Pepper Soup

Pepper Soup is one of Nigeria’s favorite dishes. It’s a spicy, flavorful broth that you can enjoy with different types of meat or fish. Whether you’re using goat meat, chicken, or catfish, pepper soup is perfect for warming you up on a rainy day or when you’re feeling under the weather. It’s also a popular dish at parties, and you can easily make it at home with just a few ingredients.

In this post, I’ll show you how to prepare a tasty pot of pepper soup that your family and friends will love.

Ingredients

• 1 kg of goat meat (or fish, chicken, or beef)
• 2 tablespoons pepper soup spice (a mix of local spices like uziza, uda, and alligator pepper)
• 2 scotch bonnet peppers (ata rodo) – adjust to your taste
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced (optional)
• 1 teaspoon ground crayfish (optional for extra flavor)
• 1 seasoning cube (or to taste)
• Salt to taste
• Water (enough to cover the meat)
• Scent leaves or uziza leaves (optional, for garnishing)

Preparation Steps

• Prepare the Meat: Wash the goat meat thoroughly and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Place the meat in a pot, add chopped onions, and season with salt and a seasoning cube. Add enough water to cover the meat.
• Boil the Meat: Place the pot on medium heat and let the meat boil for about 30 minutes or until it’s tender. If using fish, boil it for 10–15 minutes to avoid overcooking.
• Add the Pepper Soup Spice: Once the meat is tender, add the pepper soup spice and stir well. Allow it to cook for another 10 minutes to release the flavors of the spice into the broth.
• Adjust Seasoning and Spice: Add the scotch bonnet peppers (you can crush them for extra heat or leave them whole for a milder taste). You can also add more salt or seasoning cubes if necessary. Simmer for another 5-10 minutes.
• Garnish and Serve: If you’re using scent leaves or uziza leaves, chop them up and add them to the soup just before turning off the heat. Stir gently, and your pepper soup is ready to serve.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve hot: Pepper soup is best enjoyed hot. It’s perfect on its own as a comforting soup, especially on cold or rainy days.
• Pair with sides: You can serve pepper soup with a side dish like boiled white rice, yam, plantain, or even agidi (corn pudding) for a more filling meal.
• Top with herbs: For extra flavor, garnish with fresh scent leaves or uziza leaves. These herbs add a unique aroma and taste to the soup.
• Perfect for gatherings: Pepper soup is also a great dish to serve at parties or family gatherings. It’s easy to make in large quantities, and everyone loves it!

Pepper Soup Recipe

Recipe by Ngozi AbaraCourse: Main DishCuisine: NigerianDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4-6

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

45

minutes

Calorieskcal

Ingredients

• 1 kg goat meat (or your preferred protein)

• 2 tbsp pepper soup spice

• 2 scotch bonnet peppers (ata rodo)

• 1 medium onion, chopped

• 1 seasoning cube

• Salt to taste

• Water

• Optional: scent leaves or uziza leaves for garnish

Directions

• Prepare the Meat: Wash and cut the meat. Place in a pot with onions, seasoning cube, salt, and water.
• Boil: Cook the meat on medium heat until tender (about 30 minutes).
• Add Spice: Stir in the pepper soup spice and cook for 10 more minutes.
• Adjust Seasoning: Add scotch bonnet peppers and adjust salt and seasoning as needed. Simmer for 5-10 minutes.
• Garnish & Serve: Add scent leaves or uziza if using, and serve hot.

Recipe Video

Notes

• Serving Suggestions:
  Serve hot on its own or with rice, yam, or plantain. Pepper soup is a favorite at parties and can be garnished with fresh herbs for extra flavor.

READ NEXT:  Jambalaya Rice Recipe: How To Prepare It The Nigerian Way

Conclusion

Pepper soup is a simple yet flavorful dish that’s perfect for any occasion. With just a few ingredients, you can create a hearty meal that warms you up and delights your taste buds. Whether you prefer it with goat meat, fish, or chicken, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your home. Give it a try and enjoy a comforting bowl of pepper soup with your family and friends!