Homemade Suya Spice | Yaji Spice two ways

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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

• Gizdodo

• 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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5 from 5 votes

Homemade Suya Spice

The amazing Peanut dry spice rub that makes everything better. This Suya Spice blend is all you need.

Prep Time20 mins

Course: Pantry Staple

Cuisine: Nigerian

Servings: 15 or more

Calories: 130kcal

Author: Chichi Uguru

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