Suya Sandwich (Spicy Grilled Beef Sandwich)

Classic African Soul Food

I always say it’s the food I look forward to most every time I travel back home. All the rest—well—pale in comparison to this spicy grilled beef. And you can make it even better at home.

Here, suya is sandwiched in a baguette, just like I used to eat it. The suya vendor, Malam, always had bread on the side for people like us who wanted to make it a complete meal. He also included onions, liquid Maggie, and pepper. One bite and I would dream up the day I could eat this spicy sandwich for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Let’s just say some dreams are better becoming a reality.

What You Need for This Recipe

1. Spicy Mayo Sauce – Mayonnaise and pepper sauce combine for a perfect spicy, creamy sandwich sauce.
2. Condiments – Caramelize onions in a little oil for extra flavor. A slice of tomato on the sandwich is always welcome but purely optional.
3. Suya – Your choice of steak cuts, cayenne, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, white pepper, bouillon, and salt deliver the traditional suya beef.
4. Baguette Rolls – The chewy texture of baguettes makes a delicious sandwich, but feel free to use whatever sandwich-style bread you have.

How to Make a Suya Sandwich

Prepping the Ingredients

• The Sauce – Combine mayonnaise and pepper sauce. You can make spicy mayo sauce the day before and refrigerate it.
• Seasoning – Mix the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, white pepper, cayenne pepper, and bouillon or Maggi in a medium bowl.
• Onions – Add oil to a large skillet or frying pan and heat over medium-low. Add onions and let them cook, stirring occasionally, for 7-10 minutes until a deep golden brown. Season with about a tablespoon of the suya spices, and let them cool.
• Suya Steak – Apply a generous amount of the suya spices on the steaks. Grill the steaks on high heat for 8-10 minutes on each side for medium or when an internal temperature reads 135℉ (60℃). (You can cook it in the oven for about 10 minutes at 350℉ (180℃) to the desired doneness if you don’t want to grill it).
• Ready – When the steaks are done to your liking, take them off the grill and let them rest for about 10 minutes.

Assembly

• Slice the baguettes in half horizontally. Generously spread the spicy mayonnaise on them before building the sandwiches.
• Divide the steak and onions between each baguette. Add more pepper sauce if desired.
• Serve – Place each filled baguette on a baking tray and bake them for about 5 minutes. Remove, add the tomatoes, and serve warm.

Recipe Variations

1. Cooking methods: You can cook the beef in the oven, stovetop, or grill.
2. Meat swap: Replace the beef with chicken, pork, or lamb for a delicious suya sandwich.