This is not your average Jollof Rice. This right here is a game changer. The rice is cooked together with ingredients in an oven. The result is a great tasting Jollof Rice! The best part is the process is so easy! Read on for directions on how to cook Jollof Rice in the oven.
You guys, our beloved Jollof just got an uplift. Are you so busy but you want a good home-cooked meal? Do you want to enjoy Jollof but without all the hassle? Do you want to enjoy an African meal that is vegan? This recipe is for you!
The ingredients are pretty simple: parboiled rice, tomato paste, oil, garlic, ginger, bay leaf, white pepper, oil, Maggi, salt and smoked paprika (optional).
All you need to do is saute the onions and garlic on your stove-top then add the tomato paste and stir, then add in the rest ingredients, cover with aluminium foil and stick that into your oven. Then you relax and let the oven do all the work, baby!
You guys, this rice is so easy and it equally tastes ah-mazing! It is perfect for this season when kitchens are busy! If you have so much to cook in this season, you could totally make some Jollof Rice in the oven to entertain guests with or to enjoy at home! Feel free to double, triple or quadruple the recipe as needed.
I made a video to show you guys how to cook Jollof Rice in your oven. Hope you enjoy watching and if you do please subscribe to my YouTube channel so you never miss any of my cooking videos.
Watch How to Cook Jollof Rice in the Oven:
Recipe

How to Cook Jollof Rice in the Oven
Ingredients
- 2 cups parboiled rice
- ¾ cup tomato paste 6 oz or 170g
- 1 medium onion - chopped
- 5 cloves garlic - minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder or 1 inch ginger root grated
- ¼ cup oil
- 2 seasoning cubes (Maggi) about 4g per cube
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika optional
- Parsley for garnishing (1 sprig - chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Heat up oil in a cast iron skillet on medium heat then saute onion and garlic until fragrant. About 2 minutes.
- Add tomato paste and cook stirring constantly for 5 minutes.
- Add in 3 cups of water gradually and stir well. Add ginger, paprika, white pepper, bayleaf, salt and seasoning cubes. Mix well to combine then add in the rice and mix well. Cover the skillet with aluminium foil and place in pre-heated oven.
- Bake for about 45 minutes. Remove from oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
Notes
Nutrition
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If you make this recipe, please share a photo on Instagram and tag me: @preciouscore, or share a photo on my Facebook page. I'll love to see!
Prince says
Nice one dear. Thanks for these wonderful secret. What can be used in the absence of aluminium foil?
Thanks.
Precious says
Hi Prince, you could use an oven-safe lid instead.
Dominika says
Wow! Cooking rice in the oven. A great secret revealed. Thank you for sharing, Precious.
http://dominikagoodness.blogspot.com.ng
Precious says
You are welcome, dear.
Rebecca Caesar says
Thanks Preciousi have learnt so many things from you
Precious says
Awww so good to know.
Nancy says
CAN you make ahead day before and then cook the day of the party?
Clarence says
Thanks Precious, I'm learning to cook African dishes from you no more spending all of this money eating out and microwave dinners.
Precious says
So glad to help, Clarence! Thanks for your feedback.
Rowan says
Did you say NOT to rinse the rice. If so, why? I’ve always been told to do so, but would love to know if there are specific times when I shouldn’t.
Precious says
Hi Rowan, great question! Parboiled rice which I used in this recipe doesn't really need to be washed before cooking.
Miranda says
Hi Precious,
What can I use instead of parboiled rice, or can I cook my rice a little bit? Thank you 😊
Blessings
Miranda
Precious says
Hi Miranda, any long grain rice will work here.
Miranda says
Thank you 😊
Beckline says
wow. will definitely try this
Precious says
Please let me know how it goes, Beckline.
Jane says
First, thank you so much for your wonderful recipes. I am learning a lot from you.
Can I add hot chilli to the rice or is the white pepper hot enough? I haven’t used the white pepper before so I don’t know if it’s spicy/hot at all.
Precious says
Hi Jane, definitely add hot chili is you want it spicy. White pepper adds more of flavor than spice. So glad the recipes are helpful.
Ek says
Hello I am so glad to learn this. Great job!!! When you say dont wash, do you mean the dry long grain rice straight from the bag, but can be washed with cold/warm water? Or should not be parboiled on heat first. That is confusing. Also what size of cup did you use for the water, as 3 cups of water is relative.
Precious says
Hi EK, I used raw parboiled rice. It was not boiled or washed. That's not necessary but you can watch it if you like. 1 cup of water equals 250ml. So you need 750ml (3 cups times 250ml) cups of water in total. That is equal to three quarters of a liter. Hope this helps.
Anderson Nigel says
This recipe is a delicious surprise
Precious says
Thank you, Anderson!
Heather Fisher says
Darn tasty! I’m gonna add a bit more water next time to prevent the rice from being chewy! The spices are spot on! Thanks Precious!
Precious says
Thank you so much!