Ghana Jollof Rice

Content… What Makes It Different? Recipe Ingredients How to Make It Recipe Variations Tips and Tricks Make-Ahead Instructions Serving and Storage Instructions What to Serve More Popular African Recipes to Try

What Makes Ghana Jollof Rice Different?

Jollof rice is a famous party food in West Africa and a constant feature in Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Liberia, Togo, and Sierra Leone. This dish is so good it’s even spreading into East African cuisine. Of course, everyone likes to put their own spin on it, and Ghanaians are no exception.

What sets Ghanaian jollof rice apart is some extra spices and the kind of rice. While many use parboiled rice, jollof rice from Ghana has jasmine or basmati rice. 🍚

What You Need

1. Beef – A couple of pounds of any cut of beef will do. No need to shy away from the tougher cuts because the long cooking time delivers tender meat every time.
2. Stock – Besides beef, the delicious stock with ginger, onion, garlic, scotch bonnet, bouillon, bay leaves, salt, and pepper infuses the rice with serious flavor. 👌
3. Tomato Base – Jollof rice gets its rich color from tomatoes, while garlic, ginger, red bell peppers, and (optionally) red habaneros add more flavor.
4. Rice – For Ghanaian jollof rice, you’ll need an aromatic Thai jasmine or basmati rice. 
5. Seasonings – Jollof rice is heavy on seasonings: fresh thyme, tomato paste, paprika, ground anise, cloves, nutmeg, curry powder, black pepper, mixed dried herbs, and more bouillon powder. 

How to Make Ghana Jollof Rice

Prepare the Ingredients

• Puree the ginger, garlic, onion, and scotch bonnet pepper with about ½ cup of water. (Photos 1-2)
• Cook Beef – Add the beef, pureed seasonings, 3½ cups water, salt, pepper, bouillon powder, and bay leaves to a stockpot. Cook it for 30 minutes or until the meat is tender. A pressure pot or instant pot shortens the process. (Photos 3-4)
• Strain – Once cooked, remove the meat, strain the broth in a fine mesh strainer, and set aside. You should have about 2 cups of broth.
• Tomato Base – Puree the onions, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, habanero, and red bell peppers with about ¼ cup of water until smooth. (Photos 5-6)
• Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
• Add the meat and fry until golden brown. Take it out and set aside. Add the onions and saute until softened for approximately 5 minutes. Then add tomato paste and cook for another 15 minutes. (Photos 7-8)
• Make Sauce – Add the blended tomato mixture and cook for 20 minutes. Add all the seasoning, herbs, salt, and bouillon powder, and cook for another 10 minutes. (Photos 9-10)

Assemble the Jollof Rice

• Prep Rice – While your tomato stew is cooking, wash your rice until the water runs clear; it takes about four washes.
• Assemble – Add the washed rice to the tomato base and stir to coat with the sauce. Add in the meat and adjust the seasoning to taste. (Photos 11-14)
• Simmer – Reduce heat to low, cover tightly with foil, and cover with the lid. Cook for 20-30 minutes, carefully stirring every 10 minutes. (Photos 15-16)
• Serve – Turn off the heat and let stand for 5 minutes before serving it with your favorite side dishes.

Flavor Variations

1. Meat swap. Goat and chicken meat are delish. 😉
2. Skip the heat. If you don’t eat spicy foods, leave out the scotch bonnet and habaneros.
3. Adjust seasonings. Get creative with this rice. Add or omit spices, herbs, or seasonings as desired.

Recipe Tips

1. A pressure cooker or instant pot shortens the cooking time.
2. A heavy-bottomed pan keeps your rice from burning while cooking. 
3. Always rinse your rice 3-4 times to remove excess starch for fluffier jollof rice. 😋

Make-Ahead Instructions

You can store Ghana jollof rice for 2-3 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer, so feel free to make it in advance. To reheat it, pop it in the microwave or simmer it on the stovetop at a low temperature. Add a few tablespoons of liquid as needed until warmed through.

Serving and Storage Instructions 

Serve Ghana jollof rice steaming hot with all your favorite sides. Refrigerate or freeze leftover rice in an airtight container. 

What Goes With Ghana Jollof Rice

Some popular side dishes for Ghana jollof include fried plantains, kelewele, or your favorite green salad. A cucumber tomato salad and a refreshing glass of sorrel drink also go well.

More Popular African Recipes to Try

1. Coconut Jollof Rice
2. Moi Moi
3. Suya
4. Ogbono Soup
5. Fufu