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Top view of a Nigerian fried rice recipe dotted with chops of fried liver

Nigerian Fried Rice

Chichi Uguru
This is it! Look no further. This Nigerian Fried Rice recipe is the authentic version you’ve been searching for. I have a delicious variety of fried rice recipes on the blog, African and Asian but this is the true Nigerian version I grew up eating. This is made with Basmati rice, requires a few ingredients and is ready in a little over 40 mins from start to finish. It’s one recipe you need in your arsenal.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine African, Nigerian
Servings 8

Ingredients

  • 1 lb beef liver (cleaned and washed)
  • 4 cups Parboiled long grain Rice like Basmati (washed and drained)
  • 1 Large onion (chopped)
  • 1 small habenero peppers
  • 5 cups chicken stock
  • ¼ - ½ teaspoon curry powder ( use ½ if you want more color)
  • 1 teaspoon thyme
  • 1½ Tablespoon Chicken bouillon powder (This will depend on how salty your meat stock is . Taste before adding more)
  • ½ teaspoon Salt Adjust according to your taste
  • ½ teaspoon White pepper
  • ½ teaspoon rosemary
  • 4 cups frozen mixed veggies thawed and drained
  • ½ - ¾ cup cooking oil
  • 1 medium Green bell pepper (chopped)
  • 3 Stalks Spring onions (chopped)

Instructions

Prepare the beef liver

  • Cook beef liver with some salt or bouillon till full cooked.
  • Lightly roast in the air fryer or oven at 350°F for 5 - 6 minutes.
  • When liver cools, Chop into small bits about ¼ in cubes. Set aside for the use when sautéing the veggies.

The Rice

  • Transfer washed rice to pot, Add meat stock, and seasoning mix Stir and taste. Adjust if needed. ( reserve ½ tablespoon of chicken bouillon for vegetable stir fry)
  • Cook rice in chicken stock till all the water is absorbed. Takes about 25mins
  • Turn off heat and leave the pot covered for about 5 mins then fluff rice.

Vegetable and Liver Stir fry

  • While rice is cooking, Heat up cooking oil in a large skillet, sauté the onion, add pepper cook for about a minute. then stir in the mixed veggies, Liver pieces and chopped green bell pepper.
  • Season with some bouillon, stir fry till the moisture dries out and the veggies are slightly crisp but not burnt.

Assembling Your Nigerian Fried Rice

  • Gently Mix the stir fried veggies with the rice till evenly incorporated. Be careful not to mash up the rice when combining ingredients. Fold in the chopped spring onions reserving some for garnishing
  • Serve immediately or store for later in the refrigerator.

Notes

  1. For a vegan alternative, substitute liver with mushrooms or tofu. see blog post for more alternatives
  2. Use vegetable stock instead of meat if vegan
  3. Nigerian Fried rice is notorious for going bad quickly if not cooked properly. The vegetables need to be rid of moisture to prevent the rice from going bad hence the need to stir fry till crisp.
  4. I usually don't use the meat stock from the liver. I discard and use Chicken stock instead. I find that the liver stock and adding the liver to the stir fry without prior roasting, stains the fried rice.