Jollof Rice Recipe

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ByJi-hyun

Jollof Rice is a popular West African dish known for its rich and vibrant flavors. Typically prepared over open flame, it’s a one-pot dish that’s both comforting and flavorful as it’s often enjoyed at parties and family gatherings and is a staple in many homes.

If you want to cook Jollof Rice and ensure that you get nothing but authentic flavors, here’s a recipe for you.

What Does Jollof Rice Taste Like?

Beloved in West Africa, Jollof Rice boasts a complex flavor profile that is both spicy and savory. The combination of tomatoes, onions, bay leaves, and bell peppers creates a rich base, while spices such as thyme, bay leaves, and sometimes curry powder add depth and warmth.

The smoky undertones, often achieved by letting the rice at the bottom of the pot caramelize slightly, give Jollof Rice a unique and unforgettable taste. It’s a harmonious blend of sweet, spicy, and umami flavors, making it a crowd-pleaser.

What Is the Difference Between Nigerian and Ghanaian Jollof Rice?

The rivalry between Nigerian and Ghanaian Jollof Rice is famous not only in West Africa but all over the world with each country claiming to have the superior recipe. While both versions share a common base of rice, tomatoes, onions, and spices, there are some distinct differences.

Nigerian Jollof Rice typically includes more tomatoes and is known for its bright red color. Nigerian Jollof Rice is also often cooked with a variety of meats such as chicken, beef, or fish, and is sometimes spiced with a touch of cayenne pepper for added heat.

Compared to Nigerian Jollof Rice, Ghanaian Jollof tends to have a more orange hue due to the use of fewer tomatoes and the addition of vegetable or chicken stock. It often includes a blend of green and red bell peppers, carrots, and peas, giving it a slightly sweeter and more vegetable-forward flavor.

What Is the Secret Ingredient in Jollof Rice?

One of the secrets to the best Jollof Rice is the use of smoked paprika or dried crayfish. These ingredients add a subtle smoky flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish. Additionally, cooking the rice in the same pot as the sauce allows the grains to absorb all the delicious flavors, ensuring a cohesive and rich taste in every bite.

What Are the Ingredients for Jollof Rice?

The components of a Jollof Rice are quite basic and easy to find. You’ll need long-grain rice, tomatoes, tomato paste, and a couple of aromatics. Onions are essential to build the flavor base of the Jollof, while the garlic and ginger infuse richness into the rice. Bell peppers add flavor and texture, while seasonings such as bay leaf, salt, paprika, and curry powder elevate the taste. 

With that said, here are the particular ingredients that you’ll need for this delicious Jollof rice recipe:

  • 2 cups long-grain parboiled rice (basmati rice)
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil or olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 habanero pepper or scotch bonnet pepper 
  • 2 cups crushed tomatoes (or canned tomato puree)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder (optional)
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, green beans)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1-2 scotch bonnet peppers (optional, for heat)
  • Fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish (optional)

One-Pot Jollof Rice Recipe Directions

Rice cooked in tomatoes and spices and mixed with onion, garlic, bay leaf, and other flavorful ingredients may sound simple but this recipe here is hailed as a national dish. Making Jollof Rice may seem challenging but by thoroughly following the steps below, we guarantee you’ll have an absolutely perfect dish on your dining table in no time.

  1. Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Set aside.
  2. Blend the tomatoes until smooth if using fresh tomatoes.
  3. In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
  4. Add the chopped onions. Cook the onions until translucent.
  5. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and sauté for another 2 minutes.
  6. Stir in the green bell pepper and red bell pepper. Cook until softened.
  7. Add tomato paste and blended or crushed tomatoes to the pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce has reduced and thickened.
  8. Add bay leaf, smoked paprika, dried thyme, salt, and curry powder (if using). Season with salt and pepper.
  9. Pour in the chicken stock and bring the mixture to a boil.
  10. Add the rinsed rice and stir to combine.
  11. Switch from medium heat to medium-low heat, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for about 20-30 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  12. In the last 10 minutes of cooking, stir in the onion, garlic, ginger, bell pepper, and scotch bonnet peppers (if using).
  13. Once the rice is tender and the liquid is fully absorbed, remove the pot from the heat and cover it tightly. Let the rice sit for an additional 5 minutes.
  14. Remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork and garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley if desired.
  15. Serve Jollof Rice with your choice of protein or a side salad.

Jollof Rice Recipe Tips

  • Parboiled rice holds its shape better and is less likely to become mushy during cooking.
  • For this recipe, you can use any long-grain rice such as basmati or jasmine rice. 
  • A smooth tomato sauce ensures an even distribution of flavors throughout the rice.
  • Scotch bonnet peppers add significant heat, so use them in this recipe according to your spice tolerance.
  • Allowing the sauce to reduce and the rice to cook slowly ensures maximum flavor absorption.
  • After cooking, let the Spicy Jollof Rice sit covered for a few minutes to finish steaming and to meld the flavors together.
  • Aside from vegetable oil, you may also use olive oil or sunflower oil in this recipe.
  • It’s recommended to use Roma or plum tomatoes in this rice recipe for the best results.
  • This recipe uses chicken stock but you can use any meat stock that you prefer.
  • If your rice starts burning early in the cooking process, reduce heat to low and add more broth.
  • Spices like curry powder, thyme, and white pepper round out the flavor profile of Jollof Rice.
  • Bay leaf and thyme are the most commonly used herbs in a Jollof recipe but you can also use other herbs like oregano.
  • Tomato paste adds a deeper and richer tomato flavor to the dish.
  • You can toss the onions, garlic, ginger, and tomatoes in a food processor and blitz them together to make a puree.
  • Onion is a vital ingredient in Jollof as it acts as a base for the dish. 
  • Serve with West African chicken stew, goat meat, or suya shrimp.
  • You can also serve it garnished with parsley or green onion slices.
  • To store Jollof Rice, place the cooked rice in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to five days.

Final Note

Jollof Rice is a dish that truly captures the essence of West African cuisine. You can serve it as a side with West African-style grilled beef but this rice recipe can also be a main course, delicious enough to stand on its own. Furthermore, there’s no need to bother yourself with numerous pans, all the ingredients of this recipe cook together in just one pot, all you need is a wooden spoon to stir them around. 

For more delicious rice recipes, check out our collection.

Hailing from California, USA. Ji-hyun is a Korean American 🇰🇷🇺🇸 with two growing boys who eat their weight in rice each week. After graduating UCLA & becoming a mom she started We Know Rice as a guide for all the students and moms out there looking to cook healthy and filling meals.