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Suya spice also known as Yaji Spice is a very popular spice where I come from. Living in diaspora has necessitated this Homemade Suya Spice blend. Most times I replenish my stash when I travel home or when someone comes back from home. It can be purchase here in the states but I find it expensive since I can make mine at home.
Suya Spice made with Roasted Peanuts
What is suya spice?
Suya Spice is a dry peanut based spice rub used to marinate beef before grilling. If you grew up in Nigeria. Then Suya spice aka yaji spice would be like second nature to you because suya is one of the most popular street foods in Nigeria.
Due to it’s popularity, suya spice has become almost a staple in most homes. Suya spice can be added to almost anything to give that dish a delicious twist. This Homemade Suya Spice is all Shades of delicious.
A little word of warning! PLEASE Suya Spice is peanut based, therefore it’s not suitable for people with peanut allergies. In as much as suya spice is the best spice mix on earth in my opinion, SAFETY FIRST people.
Suya Spice made with peanut powder
Like I mentioned above, Peanuts are the major ingredient in suya spice. Peanuts give suya spice it’s distinct taste. There won’t be suya spice without the peanuts. I have seen suggestions to substitute peanuts with almonds though I haven’t tried that, I doubt it will taste close talk less of taste the same. Peanuts and Almonds don’t have a similar taste. Maybe I should take on that experiment ?
What is Suya Spice used for?
Suya spice is a versatile spice. Though it is mainly used as a spice rub for meats. You can actually use it on anything you like. I have used it in the following recipes and it was delicious
- Jollof rice
- Egusi Soup
- Chicken curry
- Suya meatballs
- Fried eggs
How to make Homemade Suya Spice.
Roasted groundnuts are the star ingredient in this recipe. I made it using two forms peanuts. The roasted peanuts and the peanut powder. The recipe with the roasted peanuts is more authentic than the one with the peanut powder which isn’t surprising since the originators of the suya spice mix make theirs using Kuli Kuli ( a fried peanut snack) I decided to share both recipes just in case you don’t want to process the peanuts which is a stage required with the roasted nuts.
Suya Spice Mix Recipe with peanut powder.
This is a quick fix recipe for when you don’t have much time on you hands and want to make a suya recipe. It is best used on meats
- You will need the following ingredients
Peanut powder
- Ground Ginger
- Cayenne Powder (Ground Cayenne Pepper)
- Smoked Paprika Powder
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Chicken Bouillon Powder
Suya Spice Mix Recipe with roasted Peanuts
I make this in large batches because I make a lot of Suya Spiced recipes. This is the spice blend I use for everything. I prefer to use this spice blend for all dishes and not only meats because the peanut flavor is more pronounced in this Suya Spice made with roasted groundnuts. That way the suya flavor will come through amidst other distracting flavors.
This requires two steps. See illustration below. You will need the following ingredients.
- Roasted Peanuts /groundnuts
- Smoked Paprika
- Ground ginger
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Ground Cayenne Pepper
- Chicken Bouillon Powder
Have you tried making your own Suya Spice at home. Which peanut did you use? Powdered or whole? Which did you prefer?
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Homemade Suya Spice
Ingredients
For Peanut Powder Suya Spice
- ¼ cup Peanut powder
- ¼ cup Ginger Powder
- 2 Tbsp Cayenne Powder
- ¼ cup Paprika Powder
- 2 Tbsp Onion Powder
- 2 Tbsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp chicken bouillon powder
For Whole Roasted Peanuts Suya Spice
- 2 cups Roasted Peanuts
- 4 Tbsp Smoked Paprika
- 3 Tbsp Ground Ginger
- 2 Tbsp Ground Cayenne Pepper
- 2 Tbsp Garlic Powder
- 3 Tbsp Onion Powder
- 1 Tbsp Chicken Bouillon
Instructions
For Suya Spice blend using Peanut Powder
- Gather your spices and mix till well combined.
- Use immediately or store in an air tight container.
For Suya Spice blend using Whole Roasted Peanuts
- Roughly blend the roasted peanuts using the pulse button of your blender. You can also use a spice grinder or a food processor. Be careful not to blend it into peanuts butter ( Please see illustration in the blog post above)
- Transfer the ground peanuts onto a clean kitchen towel.
- Tie it up in the kitchen towel and squeeze as much oil so you can out of the ground peanuts. You can also place a heavy object on top to facilitate this process.
- After this the ground peanuts would be much drier.
- Loosen it up with your fingers as transfer to a bowl.
- Add in all the spices them blend in with a fork until well combined.
- The spice may have larger granules of ground peanuts, Sieve the Suya Spice blend for a smoother Spice. ( After sieving, Save the larger granules for any recipe you want)
- Use your Suya Spice immediately or store in an air tight container
Notes
Chichi
Pls can the roasted peanut be salted?
Chichi Uguru
Hi Chichi
Yes it can. 😊
Mary-ann
Please how many calories is in 1 tbsp and 1 tsp of yaggi.
You didn’t specify
Chichi Uguru
Hi Mary-Ann,
This serving makes about 1 1/4 cup Which is about 16 Tbsp. I Table spoon should be 130 calories and 1 tsp should be approx 43 calories. It’s at the bottom of the recipe.
Use as a guide. Hope that helps. Thanks for stopping by.
– Chichi
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Allison
Thank you for this amazing recipe! I spent years eating suya skewers for lunch from a local restaurant. Since moving away, I’ve been trying to recreate their dishes at home. Grinding the peanuts was hard, but it was so worth it for how delicious my grilled chicken thighs turned out! It tasted just like the restaurant 🙂
I enjoyed reading about where suya originated from and learning about the other things you can make with it… I’ll have to try those next! Thank you so much for sharing.
Chichi Uguru
Hi Allison,
Yayy!! Thank you so much for your feedback. It made my day. Hearing from my readers is one of the highlights of my day.
Happy you found the post helpful and that it helped you recreate a dish you’ve been craving. Hope you get to try more of my recipes. Feel free to reach out whenever you have any question about a recipe. Have a beautiful week and stay safe!😊
Chichi
Chichi Uguru
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Kareem bukola
Thanks so much for this recipe,I will try it soonest,I’ve been trying to get the recipe.
Chichi Uguru
Hi Bukola,
You are welcome. 😊 I am happy to hear that. Looking forward to your feedback when you try it out. Stay safe.
– Chichi
Adeleke Ademola
Madam Chichi…you are doing a fantastic job here with every details been mentioned. You are so superb. I will appreciate you if you can continue doing this. I am a man but I love cooking with my wife and this blog has really helped me. Kudos to you.
Chichi Uguru
Hi Adeleke,
Thank you for your kind words. Happy you and your wife love the blog. Kudos to you guys as well 😊
Merry Christmas in advance.
-Chichi
Cathy
Thank you for this idea!! Will give this spice a o for sure!!
Jillian
I’ve haven’t heard of this spice before but now I want it on everything! Thank you for bringing it into my life!
Tilly
Putting this on everything!
Chichi Uguru
Oh yes please ?
Valentina
I’m always fascinated with ingredients/recipes that are staples in other countries, that I’ve never heard of. I hadn’t heard of Suya spice until reading this, and the blend of spices with the peanuts sounds so delicious. I think I’d love it most with meats and rice.
Chichi Uguru
You definitely chose the best combo even without trying it. Yes meats and rice are super delicious with Suya Spice. Thanks Valentina ?
Caroline
Kudos. Thank goodness I came across this blog..
My question is can one do away with the roasted peanut or the powder due to allergy?..
Will it still taste nice?.
Thanks as I await your response.
Chichi Uguru
Hi Caroline,
Sadly the taste of Suya spice is in the peanuts And if you are allergic to peanuts, you also more likely to be allergic to tree nuts like almonds. I am sorry this recipe won’t work for you. I have a steak seasoning recipe coming up on the blog. You can use that instead. You can sign up to my newsletter to get the recipe as soon as I post it. Also my YouTube channel will be a great place to find the video. All these resources are free. The link will be below. Thank you so much for your support.
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