How to Cook Easy Nigerian Egusi Soup & Pounded Yam?

When it comes to iconic West African delicacies, few dishes hold as much cultural significance and culinary delight as a rich pot of Egusi soup paired with smooth, stretchy pounded yam. Prepared with ground melon seeds, red palm oil, leafy greens, and seasoned meats, this hearty soup is a staple at family dinners and weekend celebrations. If you want to recreate this classic meal at home, learning how to buy African food online allows you to source authentic melon seeds, palm oil, and swallow flour directly through a reliable online African grocery store.

Why Egusi Soup is a West African Classic?

Egusi soup gets its signature texture and nutty flavor from ground melon seeds (Citrullus lanatus). When simmered in bleached red palm oil with onions, locust beans (iru), and crayfish, the melon seeds form rich, savory curds that absorb all the spices in the pot.

Whether prepared using the "fried egusi method" or the traditional "lumpy egusi method," pairing this nutrient-dense soup with smooth swallows like pounded yam or garri creates a comforting, balanced meal packed with protein and healthy fats.

Essential Ingredients for Authentic Egusi Soup

To achieve the deep, traditional flavor of homemade Egusi soup, ensure you have these key ingredients ready in your kitchen pantry:

Ground Egusi: Use high-quality melon seeds ground into a fine or coarse powder.

Red Palm Oil: Pure, unrefined red palm oil provides the rich color and authentic taste base.

Leafy Greens: Fresh or frozen spinach, ugu (fluted pumpkin leaves), or bitter leaf add fresh flavor and color.

Proteins & Seafood: Combine beef, stockfish, dried catfish, and ground crayfish for a deep umami broth.

Pounded Yam Flour: Instant poundo yam flour allows you to make smooth, lump-free pounded yam in under 10 minutes.

Step-by-Step Egusi Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

2 cups ground melon seeds (Egusi)

1/2 cup red palm oil

2 cups chopped spinach or ugu leaves

1 kg beef or goat meat (boiled with stock saved)

1 piece dry stockfish or smoked catfish (soaked and washed)

3 tablespoons ground crayfish

1 tablespoon locust beans (iru)

1 onion (chopped)

Salt and seasoning cubes to taste

Instructions:

Prepare the Egusi Paste: In a bowl, mix the ground melon seeds with a small amount of warm water or diced onions to form a thick, moldable paste. Set aside.

Heat the Oil: Heat the red palm oil in a pot on medium heat for 2 minutes. Do not bleach the oil completely. Add chopped onions and locust beans, frying until fragrant.

Fry the Egusi: Scoop small lumps of the egusi paste into the hot oil. Allow it to fry untouched for 3–5 minutes so curds form. Gently stir to break large lumps into smaller curds.

Add Broth & Meats: Pour in the saved meat broth, cooked beef, washed stockfish, and ground crayfish. Cover the pot and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes until the oil rises to the top.

Add Greens: Stir in your chopped spinach or ugu leaves. Season with salt and bouillon cubes to taste. Simmer uncovered for 3–5 minutes, then turn off the heat.

Make the Pounded Yam: Stir instant poundo yam flour into boiling water in a pot over medium heat, stirring vigorously with a wooden spatula until smooth and stretchy.

Serve: Mold the warm pounded yam into balls and serve alongside generous scoops of hot Egusi soup!

Order Authentic African Grocery Staples Online

Cooking traditional African recipes at home is easy when you have access to authentic ingredients. At Shalom African Foods, your favorite African food store online, we carry everything from dried spices and melon seeds to frozen meats and swallow flours. Order today and enjoy fast, reliable grocery delivery directly to your home!