This is how my mama taught me to make Jollof Rice. It is guaranteed to give you a great-tasting and awesome-looking rice when you try it. Has Jollof Rice been a struggle? Don’t worry, I got you! And if it hasn’t been a struggle, I am here to show you how to make your Jollof game even better!
Jollof Rice is West Africa’s sweetheart. It is rice that is cooked in tomato sauce with spices and seasonings. Absolutely delicious! I’m yet to find a person who detests Jollof Rice. It’s safe to say here that it is the ultimate West African rice dish.
Eaten in Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Gambia, Sierra Leone and many other countries, Jollof is popular across the African continent. So popular that a day (August 22 every year) has been reserved for #WorldJollofRiceDay. Who am I not to celebrate such days? HA.
Now as varied as the countries that eat Jollof Rice are so are the methods of preparation. Nigerian Jollof Rice is quite different from Cameroonian Jollof rice. Loyal Jollof Rice fans from different countries even now swear and fight on social media, saying their version is the best. This has led to the phraseology, “Jollof Wars”.
Jollof Rice has quickly become a phenomenon. It’s because of the epicness of rice cooked in tomato sauce. It is so good!
In my country Cameroon, there are equally varied methods of making Jollof Rice, the most common being making some tomato sauce then adding raw rice and stock to it and letting them cook together.
However, my mom handed down to me an exceptional Jollof Rice recipe. She doesn’t cook the rice together with the tomato sauce. She cooks them seperately and mixes to form Jollof Rice in the end. This might sound strange but trust me, it works so well. It is so easy too because you don’t have to worry about the rice sticking together or burning the rice,
The first time I tasted rice made this way was when she visited me with a huge cooler of Jollof Rice while I was in high school. It was on the day of my “confirmation” in the Presbyterian church. It is basically an occasion in which you “confirm” your decision to follow Christ in front of the congregation and your family. Then after there is eating and drinking to celebrate your decision. Because ‘item 11’ (eating and drinking) makes everything better. Ha!
So during item 11, this perfect Jollof rice was present. It was SO GOOD! When I went back home (from boarding school), Mama taught me how to make it just like her. Since then, I have not made Jollof Rice differently.
The rice is so tasty when cooked this way – the herbs and spices are not overcooked as is the case when the rice is cooked in all the ingredients. Also, it is fresh because the added vegetables are still vibrant in color and crispy. It is savory, garlicky, meaty, warm and so satisfying!
Some months ago, I took some of this Jollof Rice to my nephew-in-law’s birthday. A Caucasian lady there who tried it exclaimed (more like screamed for joy), “This is the best rice I ever had!” And she is right. Best Jollof Rice recipe ever!
My Ugandan friend’s kids can’t get enough of this. They even nicknamed it, “the nice rice”. When they come to visit me, they go, “Can you make the nice rice???” And when I make “the nice rice” they eat like there is no tomorrow.
So I urge you to go make “the nice rice” and you’ll be so glad you did!
P.S check out some other rice recipes here on the blog:
This is West Africa's sweetheart, Jollof Rice made the Cameroonian way. This Cameroon Jollof Rice Recipe was handed down to me by my mom. It is a hit every single time.
- 3 cups parboiled rice also known as "Uncle Ben's"
- 5 large tomatoes - blended into a puree
- 1 cup tomato sauce (8 oz or 227 g) I used a can this size
- 1 medium sized onion - chopped
- 6 large cloves garlic
- 1 inch ginger root - peeled and chopped
- 1/2 stalk celery - chopped
- 1 sprig parsley or cilantro - chopped
- 1 green onions - chopped
- 1 sprig basil - chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper (optional)
- 1 cup cooking oil I used corn oil
- 3 seasoning cubes-Maggi/Knorr (about 4g each) or three teaspoons chicken bouillon
- 1/2 pound beef cut into 1 inch slices
- Salt
- 1 habanero pepper optional
- 2 medium carrots - chopped about 1 cup
- 1 handful green beans - chopped about 1 cup
- 1/2 large green pepper - chopped about 1/2 cup
- 1 teaspoon curry powder (optional)
Combine the garlic, ginger, basil, celery, parsley, and habanero pepper (if using) in a blender. Add half a cup of water and blend into a puree.
Place meat in a small pot. Add 1-2 cups of water. Add in a quarter teaspoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of chopped onions and 1 tablespoon of the blended spices. Let it cook for 10 minutes.
Then strain meat from the stock and set stock aside for use later.
Cut the meat into little bits (a quarter inch thick each) Sprinkle a pinch of salt on the chopped beef then add half a teaspoon of the blended spice puree. Mix well and let it rest for later use.
Place three cups of water into a pot. Add in 1 teaspoon of salt (plus curry powder if using) and bring to a boil. Wash rice and add to boiling water. Let it cook on medium heat until the water is all gone. Let the rice rest for 5 minutes then fluff with a fork.
In a large pot pour in a quarter of the oil. Let the oil heat up for about 3 minutes on high heat. Add in the seasoned meat from step 2. Let the meat brown for about 2 minutes on each side. Remove meat from the oil and set aside.
Add in the rest of the oil and let it heat up for 3 minutes. Add the onions. Let them saute for 2 minutes until translucent.
Then add in pureed tomatoes and let it cook while you stir from time to time until it starts sticking to the bottom of the pot - about 10 minutes.
Add in tomato sauce and mix well. Let it cook together with the tomato puree while you stir from time to time for about 10 minutes. They are ready when the tomato sauce separates from the oil and no longer tastes sour.
Add in your blended spice mix and white pepper (if using). Mix well and let it cook for about 3 minutes.
Add in the beef stock and seasoning cubes (Maggi) and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
Add in green onions and stir. Let it cook for a minute.
Then add the chopped vegetables - carrots, green beans and green pepper. Mix well.
Add in boiled rice and beef. Mix everything on low heat until well incorporated. Be careful not to break or mash the rice. Turn off the heat. Your amazing Jollof rice is ready!
1. You could add sweet corn and peas to the jollof rice if you so wish.
2. Add a teaspoon of curry powder while boiling the rice if you like the taste of curry and/or you like it slightly yellowish.
3. To heat up leftover Jollof rice, you could either place it in a pot and heat on medium heat or alternately place it in an oven safe bowl and heat it up in the oven. I like the oven method better.
4. To make this recipe vegan, use mushrooms instead of beef.
*This recipe has been updated.
wow! am salivating! you are such a great cook. well done
I think am hungry….I'll be back to check other rice recipes!
http://www.wlcmwisdom.blogspot.com
Awww thanks Lucy! How you dey?
Feel like eating right now. Good job Precious. When you cook like this, halla at me so I can bring my plate. U no say I no live far. Lol.
I no go forget you when this rice hits my pot again. Thanks dear!
I dey kampe! thanks for asking!
hello Precious, how are doing this beautiful week of the Lord *smiles*
i have nominated you for the sisterhood of the bloggers award.
check out my blog for more information.
thanks.
http://www.wlcmwisdom.blogspot.com
Hello dear, my week began beautifully. May God be praised!
I'm so glad that you found me worthy of nomination. Thanks so much dear! I'll get to your blog for more information.
Courage! Go Mrs!
Courage! Go Mrs!
Thanks hun!
thank sweet heart for this post you are a darling,i will try this
You're welcome, darling!
Think I should put the devil to shame by making this jallof rice. I have never succeeded in making jallof rice.
Hahaha please go ahead and put the devil to shame!
Hi Comfort, I don’t have a rice cooker so I usually put the rice with water to boil and as soon as it’s boiling I cover and turn the heat to low to simmer for 20 minutes. I have also seen people boil rice and water continuously without covering until the water is gone and rice is cooked. What method do you use to cook your rice?? Thanks!!
Hi Ginny, I mostly boil water with salt then add in washed rice and boil. Sometimes I would put the washed rice in the pot with water and salt at the same time and cook. Hope this helps.
I love your recipe. Learnt a few new things I will be trying next time.
http://www.ijefinelivin.com
Glad you love it, IJ!
Dear precious, your recipes are a lifesaver! My son in law comes from Cameroon and when my daughter and he visit I try to make at least one dish from his country. Until now I have made Jollof rice, Maafe, your pepper sauce (he loved it!), African peanut soup, Scotch eggs …. Of course, I do not have some of the ingredients, but I try to find the best substitute. Anyway, finding your recipes was such a relief. Thank you!
Hi Katarina, you are so sweet! Glad to hear that he loved the pepper sauce. Hope you enjoy more recipes here. Thank you so much for your kind words!
Judging from this pics alone I can say Cameroon Jollof rice is a must eat.
Yes dear, you definitely should try it!
Jollof Wars!!! – Nigeria meets Ghana meets Cameroon. Which one will taste better? 🙂 … just kidding. Your method looks really good and I will be sure to try it out. I don’t cook jollof as much as I probably should. – http://www.jamilakyari.com
Hahaha I know right! Don’t get me started on Jollof Wars! Lol
Well done! Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome dear.
Another reason why I need to move to Minessota and dine with you .lol. This looks absolutely delicious. I really really love it. Will try your method.
http://www.bubusboulevard.com
Hahahaha move over already!
Lol @the nice rice name. Such a pretty name for belly-fulling delicacy. Oh my! I love jollof rice too. I can’t get tired of rice as a whole.
DOMINIKA GOODNESS BLOG
Hahaha the name fits the meal so well!
When u say tomato sauce, do u mean tomato paste or the can of tomato sauce
Sorry for the late reply, Lina. I mean the can of tomato sauce.
Very simple and clear direction. Thank you posting.
You are welcome, Charlene.
Can I make this recipe a day ahead and reheat in oven and it will be just as good as when it’s first made? Rice will still be firm and not mushy?
Hi Nancy, yes you can do that then when it cools completely, put it in the fridge. Don’t add water when reheating. Reheating in the oven is a great idea. Cover with foil paper so the rice doesn’t dry out. Hope this helps.
My son is doing a report on Cameroon, and for extra credit he needs to make a dish from the country. He found this dish, and it looks delish! We will be making it tonight, and I have a feeling it might just make it into our dinner rotation! Oh, and when I sat down to see what he found, I decided we were friends as soon as read “I love Jesus and coconut.” You are definitely my type of friend!!
Awww glad to meet you, Cindy! Hope you guys enjoy the Jollof Rice. I would love to hear about how your dinner went. All the best.
I cooked this last night, and it was delicious. It’s a good thing I decided to use a pound of beef, because by the time the beef hit the pot, I had eaten half of it already…it was so flavorful! I just have one question. The recipe calls for one “stem” of celery, of parsley, of green onion, of basil. I’m not sure what that means. Do I just use one green onion? One sprig of parsley and one of basil? One stalk of celery? So, not the whole bunch of onions or the whole bunch of celery? Thank you for this wonderful recipe!
Hi Angie, you were so smart to have used a pound of beef! Now for the recipe, one stem means one stalk of celery for instance. Definitely not the whole bunch. Now that you have pointed that out, I will update the recipe to make it clearer. Thanks so much for your feedback. I really appreciate it.
Thanis Precious for the recipe. I just love good food
You are most welcome, Rita!
HI PRECIOUS ,
Each time i read your recipe, i think of cooking same. Thanks for being there for some of us.
I can die for Jollof rice.
You are most welcome, dear Evelyn. Thanks for leaving a comment.
I do not see how much beef stock! I only see when to add it Please help!
Hi Aimee, it should be 1 cup of beef stock.
This is wonderful precious. Am on my “nice rice” now and it’s indescribable. I added pepper to mine bc I like it when pepperish. Thanks a lot for this magical recipe
Thano you so much Precious. I will never go back to the ‘old way’. The endless burnt at the bottom stuff.
This is amazing. Thank you and thank your wonderful mother for me.
Keep cooking.
You are such a beautiful woman, tremendous personality, bringing ” cooking salvation ” to me. I know my mother used to cook jollof the SaLone way but when I tried it, the result always be burnt sticky mash(almost!) Unfortunately Mama had passed away so I could not get her advice. It was just by chance I came across your video on YouTube…..or maybe I was led to it?? I have fallen in love and will start trying to cook Jollof Rice again. Can’t thank you enough, great icon of Womanhood.
Hanna, you are so sweet! Thanks so much for your very kind words! Please let me know how it goes when you try it.
Hello precious, just want to thank you very much for this blog n thnks for sharing your wonderful recipes with us…
I mean I tried this rice when I went to my fiances house n everybody ate it with a lot of joy n passion, n his sister even complimented the food something she hardly does. N later that same week his kid brother told me to cook the rice again n after two days which was yesterday they still sed I should cook the rice n my fiance told me the rice was epic 😂😂 … Now my fiance’s kid brother girlfriend call me a chef cook thanks to you. She came asking for the recipe n I happily shared.
Thank u too much sister 😘
PS: I cooked that rice thrice in a week and mind u I cooked it in a big quantity just enough to last for two days.
This makes me so happy, dear. Words like yours are what keep me going. So glad they loved it. You are a star!
Thank you my chef