What is Jollof Rice ?
Jollof Rice is a quick One Pot meal that is bursting with tomatoes, onions, meat, spices, peppers and is usually served as main Course with meat / veggie sides. But today we are exploring a vegetarian (vegan even!) version of the popular West African dish.
In the way that the culinary world has expanded, Global Cuisine is literally an arm’s length away. If you are in India, today’s supermarkets and gourmet stores stock the best of Global ingredients - from Rice paper sheets to kimchi to avocado to harissa paste - you get the drift
While combing recipes from African cuisine, I remembered how close it was to Indian in many ways - the use of paprika, cayenne, cumin and coriander - is so common to both African and Indian Cuisine.
Jollof Rice is a quick One Pot meal that is bursting with spices, peppers and is usually served as main Course with meat / veggie sides. Usually baked in the oven, but I did a spin on this as the oven was down. Used pre-cooked rice. Similar quick dish with pre-cooked rice is this easy peasy Lemon RIce
What is the USP of Jollof Rice ?
The key to any vegetarian Jollof rice is a special spice paste made with certain ingredients and Homemade Veg Stock. Read on to find out more ..
Nigerian Jollof Rice
A flavour-packed One Pot meal that is sure to entice your tastebuds. Served as a main dish with meats or sautéed vegetables for parties or potluck
PIN FOR LATER
Other Quick One Pot Meals that you may like
Prep time- 20 mins ; Cook time - 20 mins, Serves - 3
What you need to make Nigerian Jollof Rice
- 1 cup rice (short grained / basmati)
- 1.5 teaspoon salt
- 3 teaspoon oil
- 2 dried bay leaves (opt.)
- 1 teaspoon Curry Powder
- ½ teaspoon Garlic
- ¼ cup Mixed Veggies (Totally optional, but I added them as I was making this for a lunch box)
- 1 Onion, sliced
- 1 teaspoon Tomato Paste (thick)
- ½ cup Homemade Veg Stock
Spice Paste for Nigerian Jollof Rice
- 4 Tomatoes (Roma works best)
- 1 onion
- ½ Red Bell Pepper
- 1 Jalapeno (Scotch Bonnet)
- 1 Bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon Dried Thyme
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
How to make Nigerian Jollof Rice:
- One can either choose to make rice ahead and use (which I did to save time) or bake the rice with the spices.
- While I will update the second method soon, sharing the method for the former below.
- Wash, clean and cook rice as per packet instructions with water and veg stock .
- Keep the cooked rice aside, fluff it with a fork and let it cool a bit.
- Meanwhile, make the paste with ingredients under “Spice paste” section without any additional water
- In a pan, heat oil.
- Add the minced garlic, onions. Saute for 2-3 minutes
- Now add the mixed veggies and saute till they are tender, but still hold a bite.
- Add salt, and the prepared spice paste along with the Tomato paste
- Stir well.
- Add the cooked and cooled rice
- Toss well, add curry powder, and adjust salt and seasonings incl any spice you might like to add.
- Serve with a salad / side of your choice.
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Jollof Rice | South African Jollof Rice
Equipment
- pan
- Chopping Board
- Wet Blender
- Knife
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice short grained / basmati
- 1.5 teaspoon salt
- 3 teaspoon Oil any neutral oil
- 2 Bay leaf opt.
- 1 teaspoon Curry Powder
- ½ teaspoon Garlic
- ¼ cup Mixed Veggies Totally optional
- 1 Onion sliced
- 1 teaspoon Tomato Paste thick
- ½ cup Homemade Veg Stock click on link in post for recipe
Spice Paste for Nigerian Jollof Rice
- 4 Tomatoes Roma works best
- 1 Onions
- ½ Red Bell Pepper
- 1 Jalapeno Scotch Bonnet
- 1 Bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon Dried Thyme
- ¼ teaspoon Whole Black Pepper
Instructions
- One can either choose to make rice ahead and use (which I did to save time) or bake the rice with the spices.
- While I will update the second method soon, sharing the method for the former below.
- Wash, clean and cook rice as per packet instructions with water and veg stock .
- Keep the cooked rice aside, fluff it with a fork and let it cool a bit.
- Meanwhile, make the paste with ingredients under “Spice paste” section without any additional water
- In a pan, heat oil.
- Add the minced garlic, onions. Saute for 2-3 minutes
- Now add the mixed veggies and saute till they are tender, but still hold a bite.
- Add salt, and the prepared spice paste along with the Tomato paste
- Stir well.
- Add the cooked and cooled rice
- Toss well, add curry powder, and adjust salt and seasonings incl any spice you might like to add.
- Serve with a salad / side of your choice.
Chef Mireille says
I've only ever had West African Joloff Rice. Did not know it was a thing in South Africa also. It is one of my favorite of all African rice dishes. It is very popular here. They even have an annual Joloff Rice competition.
Kalyani says
An annual Jollof rice competition - wow ..I learnt something new too, Mir !! Do the recipes vary between South and Western African Jollof rice versions ?
Seema says
For a long time anything with tomatoes was my daughter's favorites. i remember researching and making this for her, then it fell off the wagon. So glad you jolted me back into the jollof rice.
Kalyani says
oh I so hear you about the tomatoes stuff, Seema ! the elder one digs anything with tomatoes, raw even 🙂
Loredana Amante -Casimir says
Love the recipe. Thank you. I ate that rice in Senegal. It's delicious.
Kalyani says
thank you so much for stopping by !
Jayashree. T.Rao says
Nigerian Jollof Rice is ideal for brunch or dinner. Having ready rice ahead makes it easy, will give it a try.
Kalyani says
yes pre-cooked rice makes this tasty and quick to prepare
Mayuri Patel says
Jollof rice is very much a West African dish. With different spices and heat from the Scotch Bonnet and flavours from the herbs, makes it an excellent side dish to be enjoyed with meat, fish or poultry.
Kalyani says
yes Mayuri. It sure is a flavorful dish
Neha (My Culinary Expressions) says
I am so delighted to see this post of Jollof Rice- my favorite. There are so many versions to Jollof Rice. Curry powder is the star of this recipe. Infact, after going through this post I am tempted to make it tonight for dinner since I have some stock of Uncle Ben rice.
Kalyani says
oh that sounds awesome, Neha! do try..
Archana says
Loved the Nigerian Jollof rice recipe! Sounds totally delicious and what our Indian palate will love. I must make some as we are bored of plain dal rice everyday. I have all teh ingredients so will try it out.
Kalyani says
thank you, Archana. Please do try and let me know how you liked it
Priya Srinivasan says
Jollof rice looks brilliant kalyani! Cooking the rice with stock must make it more fragrant and aromatic. Love that spice paste with tomato and bell pepper. I m adding this to our meal plan. Our weekend meal is sorted with this recipe!!!!
Kalyani says
Thanks da. Do try it..
Preethi says
This Jollof rice recipe sounds incredible. It is so quick and easy to whip up. I have all the ingredients and will make it for lunch tomorrow. I am just in awe looking at the pictures.
Kalyani says
awesome! Go for it, Preethi..
Priya Vj says
Like the idea of cooking rice with the stock ..tomatoes In any form is loved by V .oflate he is experimenting a lot of new recipes if he gets free time..will forward the jollof rice.recipe to him
Kalyani says
Awesome! Do check it out when time permits..