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Nigerian Beef Suya

This Nigerian Beef Suya recipe features thinly sliced beef marinated in a bold, aromatic peanut-based spice blend, then grilled to tender perfection. Served with fresh vegetables, it's a vibrant, savory, and spicy dish that's a true taste of West African street food, perfect for sharing.
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Total Time 40 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine south east asian
Servings 12 people
Calories 1726.9 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Grill or Grill Pan For authentic smoky flavor or indoor cooking.
  • 1 Food Processor For grinding peanuts and blending spices efficiently.
  • 1 Sharp Knife and Cutting Board For precise, thin slicing of beef and vegetables.
  • 1 Mixing Bowls For marinating the beef and preparing the spice blend.
  • 12 Skewers Wooden (soaked) or metal skewers for threading the beef.

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 250 grams flank sirloin, or topside
  • 1/2 cup roasted unsalted peanuts skins removed
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cups vegetable oil plus more for grilling
  • 1 pinch kosher salt
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh lemon or lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon or more chili powder or cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon or more ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon or more onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon or more sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon or more sweet paprika
  • Thinly sliced cabbage red onions, tomatoes, and cilantro leaves, for serving

Instructions
 

  • Grind roasted unsalted peanuts into a fine powder using a food processor.
  • Combine ground peanuts with chili powder, ground ginger, onion powder, sea salt, and sweet paprika to create the suya spice blend (yaji).
  • Thinly slice the beef against the grain into bite-sized pieces; partially freeze for easier slicing if desired.
  • In a bowl, toss the sliced beef with the suya spice blend, vegetable oil, and lemon or lime juice until thoroughly coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally 2-4 hours in the refrigerator.
  • If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 20 minutes to prevent burning. Thread the marinated beef pieces onto the skewers.
  • Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates or pan.
  • Place the beef skewers on the hot grill. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, turning frequently and basting with a little extra vegetable oil, until the beef is cooked through and slightly charred.
  • While the beef is grilling, prepare the accompaniments by thinly slicing cabbage, red onions, tomatoes, and cilantro leaves.
  • Remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for a minute.
  • Serve the hot beef suya immediately with the fresh sliced cabbage, red onions, tomatoes, and cilantro.

Notes

For truly tender suya, thinly slice the beef against the grain; partially freezing the meat beforehand can simplify this. The key to authentic suya is the 'yaji' spice blend – ensure your peanuts are roasted and unsalted. For an extra layer of flavor, lightly toast the dry spices before grinding. Marinate the beef for at least 30 minutes, or ideally several hours, to allow the flavors to deeply penetrate. Grill quickly over high heat, basting frequently with oil, to achieve a charred exterior while keeping the inside juicy. Serve immediately with the fresh accompaniments to balance the rich, spicy flavors.