Similar to Jollof rice, fried rice is a staple in the Nigerian food culture. It is one of the popular options served as a main dish at events and during festive seasons. Amongst the variety of rice dishes, Nigeria has to offer Fried rice and Jollof rice are the acclaimed top 2. However, some people would debate on which takes the crown. Nonetheless, I would say fried rice is a delicious dish that is an equal partner rather than a rival to Jollof. It’s like comparing apples with oranges, but honestly why choose when you can have both. The base of a Nigerian style fried rice is typically long grain rice cooked in stock, either a meat stock (most commonly used) or a vegetable stock (making it inclusive for vegetarians). Then a combination of vibrant vegetables are fried, then tossed together with the cooked rice.
How to cook Nigerian Style Fried rice:
- Chop the fresh vegetables into small pieces (carrots, leeks, green peas and bell pepper). Also finely chop the garlic. Set aside
- Place a pot over medium-high heat. Pour in the stock, add the rice, salt, turmeric and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer, cover with a lid and cook for 15 minutes or until the liquid is dried out. Remove the pot from heat and set it aside.
- Place a frying pan over medium-high heat. Pour in the sunflower oil, add the chopped garlic and fry until lightly browned. Add the chopped vegetables, first the peppers, then carrots, green peas and leeks. Stir and fry for 3 minutes.
- Season with salt and spices (turmeric, ginger powder). Mix, then pour the vegetable mixture into the pot of cooked rice and add the sweet corn. Stir together, cover with a lid and cook over low heat for 5 minutes.
- Serve hot hot with your choice of beef, chicken, turkey or fish.
As with the traditional methods in Nigerian cooking, freshly made stock is usually used, typically the stock from cooking the choice of meat that is served with the dish. However, the commercial stock cube is also adequate, although, it’s not my preference. Packed with a rich variety of vegetables and optional extras like prawns and livers. Nigerian style fried rice is a dish that everyone should try. This recipe calls for the basic ingredients for a typical Nigerian style fried rice, feel free to explore your tastebuds by adding some extras of your choice. Here are some great options to serve the Nigerian style fried rice with:
- Oven grilled peri-peri turkey drumsticks
- Nigerian Peanut Based Beef Suya Skewers
- Hibiscus Sangria (Zobo/Sorrel) – A fusion Cocktail
- A variety of plantain dishes.
Classic Nigerian style fried rice
Ingredients
For cooking the rice
- 1 cup parboiled long grain rice
- 2 cups fresh stock (meat or vegetable stock)
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp coarse salt
- 1 dried bay leaf
For frying the vegetables:
- 150 g green beans
- 2 carrots (220g)
- 180 leek
- 1 green or yellow bell pepper
- 285 g sweet corn
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 tsp thyme
- ¼ sunflower oil
- ½ turmeric
- Salt to taste
- 1 tsp ginger powder
Instructions
- Chop the fresh vegetables into small pieces (carrots, leeks, green peas and bell pepper). Also finely chop the garlic. Set aside
- Place a pot over medium-high heat. Pour in the stock, add the rice, salt, turmeric and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer, cover with a lid and cook for 15 minutes or until the liquid is dried out. Remove the pot from heat and set it aside.
- Place a frying pan over medium-high heat. Pour in the sunflower oil, add the chopped garlic and fry until lightly browned. Add the chopped vegetables, first the peppers, then carrots, green peas and leeks. Stir and fry for 5 minutes.
- Season with salt and spices (turmeric, ginger powder). Mix, then pour the vegetable mixture into the pot of cooked rice and add the sweet corn. Stir together, cover with a lid and cook over low heat for 5 minutes.
- Serve hot.
10 Responses
My husband loved this recipe! The seasoning and the spice were perfect and it the vegetables added the perfect crunch. I paired this some chickpea patties and it was perfect.
I won’t enter the jollof/fried rice debate since I’m not Nigerian. I WILL say that this fried rice recipe is second to none. It’s so flavorful and easy to make.
The seasonings paired with the fried rice and veggies were so flavorful!
This rice was sooooooo good!!!! Right amount of seasonings. The added veggies also make this a meal on its own!
Although I used quinoa in lieu of rice, the flavors of this recipe were incredible! This is my new go-to side dish!
Oh yasss! This Nigerian rice was packed with flava! The vegetables, turmeric and leeks were absolutely my favorite part. I will definitely be making this again!!!
I love Nigerian food, and this rice was no exception! It was so flavorful. The vegetables really take the rice to another level. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
This is my new favorite fried rice recipe! It was so flavorful and so easy to make! We loved it!
This fried rice recipe hit the spot. I love your choice of veggies as it made a change to the usual mixed veg combo. I’ll definitely be making this again
Served this rice with shrimp and chicken and got several compliments from my extended family. This recipe is a keeper. Thank you!