Egusi soup has so many variations across Nigeria, and that’s one of the reasons I love it. Today’s version is my simple, flavourful choice made with fresh oha leaves and stockfish for added depth and aroma.
I didn’t use the usual blended pepper mix (fresh pepper + onion). Instead, I kept it simple with ground pepper only. I prefer this because it gives the soup a clean, traditional flavour and lets the taste of the egusi shine through beautifully — especially when cooked with stockfish. This recipe is rich, comforting, and perfect with any swallow of your choice.
🍲Egusi Soup(ófe egùsi)+ Oha
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Servings: 4
📝Ingredients
Meat & Fish 500g goat meat or assorted meat
1 small onion, chopped
Salt (to taste)
1 seasoning cube
Stockfish, soaked until soft
smoked catfish (washed and deboned)
Soup Base
1 cup ground egusi
½ cup palm oil
1–2 tbsp crayfish
1–2 seasoning cubes
1 tsp ground pepper
A handful of fresh oha leaves, torn
Meat stock
Water (as needed)
Salt (to taste)
👩🍳Instructions
1. Cook the Meat
Season goat meat with onion, salt, and seasoning cube. Cook until tender. Add smoked fish and stockfish and allow it to soften fully in the pot.
2. Fry the Egusi
Heat palm oil on low heat. Add ground egusi and fry for 3–5 minutes, stirring continuously.
3. Add Stock & Meats
Pour in the meat stock, add more water if needed, and return both the meat and the fish(both)
4. Season
Add crayfish, pepper, and additional seasoning cubes. Taste and adjust salt.
5. Add Oha Leaves
Add the torn oha leaves and cook for just 1–2 minutes.
Note:
Tear oha leaves by hand — slicing makes them tough.
Add more water for lighter soup or less for a thicker pot.
Why I Didn’t Use Pepper Mix in This Recipe
Some recipes include blended fresh peppers and onions, but I chose not to.
I prefer the simpler version with ground pepper because:
it keeps the flavor clean
it doesn’t overpower the egusi
it balances well with stockfish
it gives a traditional taste many households grew up with
Feel free to add pepper mix if you prefer this version shines without it.
🍽️Serve With
Pounded yam
Eba
Semo
Fufu
Rice
🌿 From My Curious Kitchen!Thanks for stopping by! If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to get more homemade recipes and traditional food stories straight from my kitchen to yours.
Leave a Reply