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15 mins recipes » Soaked Garri: Nigeria’s Legendary ‘cereal’

Soaked Garri: Nigeria’s Legendary ‘cereal’

Published: September 14, 2018 . Updated: September 14, 2018 by Chichi Uguru . This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our full disclosure here. 19 Comments

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Soaked Garri 'cereal' is definitely a must try for anyone visiting Nigeria for the first time but if you don't intend visiting Nigeria soon, this recipe will take you on an amazing Journey to my home country. Please join me ?

Soaked garri

Garri is pan fried cassava flakes which is very popular in West Africa. Garri is usually eaten in 3 ways,

1. Soaked Garri Team A: as a cold 'beverage' with ice cold water and sugar plus or minus roasted groundnuts

2. Soaked Garri Team B: as a 'cereal' where it is made with lukewarm water some milk and sugar plus or minus roasted groundnuts.

3. It is consumed as eba where it is made with boiling hot water and eaten with any Nigerian soup of your choice.

In the past Garri used to be associated with poverty. It was occasionally referred to as ' a poor man's food) I really don't know why but I am guessing it's because of the ability of soaked Garri to double in size ? That way Garri can be economical and helps stretch your bucks. ??

Well I don't know about that but all I know is we all enjoyed our soaked garri 'Cereal.

Soaked garri

Now there is a bit of a divide as to how best to enjoy this legendary Nigerian 'cereal' some prefer the pure unadulterated version with just cold water,sugar and some roasted groundnuts. Let's label them Team A

Others love it with milk just like you would have any other cereal. Garri, water, powdered milk and sugar. ( its best with powdered milk.) that's my team. Team B for the win.

Soaked garri

This post is focused on non-Nigerians because I doubt if there is any Nigerian who hasn't heard of this legendary Nigerian 'cereal' aka soakis or soaked garri ?. This is also a staple provision in most boarding houses (at least when I was in boarding school it was).

Pro Tip. The best Garri to use to make this soaked Garri 'cereal' is the Ijebu Garri variety. It's sour so the sugar or sugar and milk as the case may be gives it a sweet and sour taste which is to die for.

How to make 'drinking garri / soaked Garri'

Like traditional cereal, it's super easy to make.

Put some Garri in a bowl, pour in some water way above the level of the Garri

Sieve our the floating particles.

Add more water, some ice cubes, sugar / sweetener, groundnuts and enjoy

Soaked garri

What can you eat with soaked garri?

It compliments a number Nigerian dishes like the ones below.

Beans Porridge

Moin Moin

Akara Balls

Fried fish

Coconut

Roasted groundnuts like we did in this post.

Hope you will be making your soaked Garri 'cereal' soon enough. For Garri veterans which team do you belong to. TEAM A

or TEAM B. Let us know in the comment below. Like I said I am unapologetically team B.

Soaked garri

Love,

PIN! PIN! PIN

 

 

Soaked Garri

Chichi Uguru
Soaked Garri is the Nigerian legendary Cereal. If you haven't tried it, you need to do so now. It is better experienced first hand.
5 from 7 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Nigerian
Servings 1

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ cup Garri
  • 3 cups water
  • Some ice cubes optional
  • 3 cubes of Sugar / 1 Tbsp
  • 2 Tbsp Powdered milk optional
  • Pinch of salt optional

Toppings

  • ¼ cup roasted groundnuts optional
  • ¼ cup coconut
  • Strawberries & blueberries not traditional but worth a try

Instructions
 

  • Pour water into the cereal bowl containing the dry Garri.
  • Sieve out any particle that floats
  • Pour more fresh water into the Garri
  • Then add sugar, pinch of salt (milk if using)
  • Add the groundnuts or any other topping you prefer. Then relax and enjoy ?

Notes

  • Garri swells up quickly so start with a small quantity if you are eating this alone so you don't find yourself wasting food.
  • If you are vegan. Just skip the addition of the milk. I really don't think it will work with almond milk because it isn't as creamy. But you can give it a try though.
Keyword drinking garri, soaked garri
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. obinna

    September 11, 2021 at 9:44 am

    5 stars
    garri na food for all. But have u all tried garri with tiger nut or coaster biscuit .omo u will be in Heaven

    Reply
    • Chichi Uguru

      September 11, 2021 at 9:48 am

      Hi Obinna,

      I haven’t tried it with tiger nuts. I believe you when you say it is heavenly! Can’t wait to try it. Thank you.

      Reply
  2. Precious

    May 06, 2021 at 2:06 am

    5 stars
    I can never stay for a day without taking garri
    I love it😋

    Reply
    • Chichi Uguru

      May 07, 2021 at 3:26 pm

      You are in good company. We love it too!

      Reply
  3. Kye

    April 07, 2021 at 6:43 pm

    5 stars
    How many calories is 1/4 a cup of garri.?

    Reply
    • Chichi Uguru

      April 07, 2021 at 10:27 pm

      Hi Kye,

      One cup garri has 436 calories. 1/4 cup would be 109 calories. 👍

      https://www.nutritionix.com/i/nutritionix/garri-1-cup/5849b126ac0f0aa95e238490

      -Chichi

      Reply
  4. Kye

    April 07, 2021 at 6:42 pm

    5 stars
    How many calories is 1/4 a cup of garri?

    Reply
  5. timilehin

    February 01, 2021 at 5:38 pm

    5 stars
    i am 13 years old and i just want to know whether to take my garri with milk or not ;-;

    Reply
    • Chichi Uguru

      February 01, 2021 at 5:41 pm

      Hi Timilehin!
      Nice to meet you. You can take your Garri with or without milk. It’s a matter of choice and what you prefer!
      My 14 yr old loves to take it with powdered milk. Hope that helps!

      -Chichi

      Reply
    • Obinna

      September 11, 2021 at 10:00 am

      Am 14 and I drink garri with anything eatable .

      Reply
  6. Trinija

    January 19, 2021 at 8:46 am

    5 stars
    Hello from the Caribbean! Have always wondered what exactly is this garri I've always seen in Nigerian movies. Now from your description I'm surprised to realise that it is the same thing we call cassava farine here! It was very popular in these parts when I was a child. We've never had it with nuts, or anything else for that matter. Sometimes the adventurous would have it dry with sugar. Haven't had it or even seen it in yearsssssss, so yes I can relate to its connection with economic situation. Thank you for this forum. Will be checking out your other articles.

    Reply
    • Chichi Uguru

      January 19, 2021 at 10:28 am

      Hi Trinija,

      Happy to hear from you. Thanks for the info on cassava farine! I am not surprised in the least as we have very similar dishes with the Caribbean. Glad you loved the article. Hope you find more you like. 😊

      Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

      - Chichi

      Reply
  7. Joseph

    January 13, 2021 at 10:22 am

    Mhen l really luv soaked garri nd l use any stuff that croses my mind to take it including soda,malt and even juice just to sweeten it
    But as 4 that peanuts l don't MISS it

    Reply
    • Chichi Uguru

      January 13, 2021 at 10:32 am

      Hi Joseph!

      Wow! Never tried anything else besides the addition of milk and groundnuts thanks for sharing 👍
      Between, I love groundnuts! Especially in my soaked garri Yum!

      - Chichi

      Reply
    • obinna

      September 11, 2021 at 10:37 am

      joseph thank for this wonderful mixture cant wait to try it . but try garri with any soft drink(mineral) and thank me later

      Reply
  8. Zion

    December 04, 2020 at 8:02 pm

    5 stars
    Not that I really need a garri recipe as a Nigerian lol. But I must give you a huge thumbs up for bringing this African staple to internet and the western world. Your photos are ace.

    Reply
    • Chichi Uguru

      December 04, 2020 at 8:02 pm

      Hi Zion,

      Thanks for your kind words. 😀

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Instant Pot Brown beans (No soak) - My Diaspora Kitchen says:
    August 19, 2020 at 4:17 pm

    […] Soaked garri […]

    Reply
  2. A Little Goes a Long Way with Nigerian Food – Aisha's Digital Publishing says:
    January 9, 2019 at 11:46 am

    […] in Nigeria include any recipes with rice, for instance, Nigerian Jollof Rice; Pounded Yam, Soaked Garri, Fufu (pounded cassava), Egusi soup, and Dodo (Fried […]

    Reply

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