Jollof Rice Is My All-Time Favorite Food. Here's How I Make It. (2024)

• Recipes
• What To Make With

published Sep 17, 2021

Jollof rice is a smoky, spicy tomato and pepper-based rice dish that's a staple throughout West Africa.

Jump to Recipe

We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

If I could only eat one thing for the rest of my life, it would be jollof rice. It’s the first thing I reach for at every Nigerian function, and it’s probably the dish I cook for myself most often at home. The rice is cooked in a mixture of blended tomatoes, peppers, onions, and garlic, as well as stock and plenty of herbs and seasonings, and all of the delicious flavors infuse into the rice as it cooks. Traditionally it was cooked over an open flame, which gave it its signature smoky flavor, but you can still achieve that rich smokiness on the stovetop.

Jollof is a staple across West Africa, and every country has their own variation. There’s a mostly friendly rivalry called “jollof wars,” over which country has the best jollof rice, but I think jollof is always good, no matter where it comes from. In my opinion, the most important factor is the texture: You want distinct grains of rice that are never mushy. This took me a long time to achieve, but after many years of trial and error and learning from the greats like Ronke Edoho of 9jafoodie, I’ve finally got it down — and I’m thrilled to share my recipe with you.

What Does Jollof Rice Taste Like?

Jollof is smoky and spicy, with a hint of sweetness from the tomatoes. Thanks to the herbs and seasonings, it really does have multiple layers of flavor. The exact ingredients vary: Some people use seasoning cubes like Maggi or Knorr, while others omit bell peppers and use only tomatoes. This recipe reflects the jollof rice I grew up eating, which includes a lot of commonly used components like bay leaves, thyme, ginger, curry, white pepper, and garlic.

What Kind of Rice Is Used in Jollof Rice?

The short answer is long-grain rice, but the specific type used varies from country to country, and even person to person. In Nigeria, you’ll often see people using parboiled rice, but I much prefer to use basmati or jasmine because I think they cook so beautifully.

The rice at the bottom of the pot tends to burn just a bit as the rice cooks, which helps lend that smoky flavor to the dish, and is delicious for anyone who loves crunchy rice.

What Do You Eat with Jollof Rice?

Jollof rice is typically served with some sort of meat, like chicken or beef, but it would taste great with crispy tofu as well. For me, the one thing I always want on my plate is fried plantains. I’m partial to sweet, soft plantains covered in black spots, because they form the most delicious crisped edges when fried. They’re the perfect contrast to the spicy, savory rice.

Filed in: