Easy African Recipes

12 original recipes

African cooking spans a continent, but the recipes here focus on the dishes people actually search for and cook: smoky party-style jollof rice from West Africa, saffron-scented chicken tagine from Morocco, and the aromatic spice pastes that give these braises their character.

Every recipe lists exactly where to buy the essentials (preserved lemons, scotch bonnets, Maggi cubes) and which substitutions actually work when a specialty ingredient isn't on your shelf. No handwaving, no 'authentic-ish' shortcuts that gut the flavor.

Authentic Chicken Yassa with Caramelized Onions and LemonAfrican

Authentic Chicken Yassa with Caramelized Onions and Lemon

This authentic chicken yassa features bone-in chicken marinated in lemon and dijon, braised with a mountain of sweet caramelized onions and spicy scotch bonnet peppers.

1h 25m6Read →
Authentic Doro Wat: Ethiopian Spicy Chicken Stew RecipeAfrican

Authentic Doro Wat: Ethiopian Spicy Chicken Stew Recipe

Master doro wat with this authentic recipe. Slow-simmered chicken legs in a rich berbere and niter kibbeh sauce, served with hard-boiled eggs and injera.

2h 30m6Read →
Authentic Nigerian Egusi Soup with Smoked Fish and BeefAfrican

Authentic Nigerian Egusi Soup with Smoked Fish and Beef

Learn how to make authentic egusi soup at home. This Nigerian melon seed stew features toasted ground egusi, red palm oil, assorted meats, and vibrant greens.

1h 20m6Read →
Authentic Nigerian Puff Puff Recipe: Chewy, Golden Dough BallsAfrican

Authentic Nigerian Puff Puff Recipe: Chewy, Golden Dough Balls

Master this authentic Nigerian puff puff recipe to create golden, chewy, and lightly sweet dough balls. Learn how to make puff puff with a perfect hollow center every time.

1h 20m6Read →
Authentic Nigerian Suya (Spicy Grilled Beef Skewers)African

Authentic Nigerian Suya (Spicy Grilled Beef Skewers)

Master the art of Nigerian suya with this recipe. Thin sirloin ribbons coated in a smoky, nutty yaji spice rub and grilled to perfection for an iconic street food flavor.

50 min4Read →
Fiery Peri Peri Chicken with Roasted Red Pepper MarinadeAfrican

Fiery Peri Peri Chicken with Roasted Red Pepper Marinade

Learn to make authentic peri peri chicken at home. This spatchcocked bird is marinated in a blitzed African bird's eye chili and roasted pepper sauce for maximum flavor.

1h 10m4Read →
Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and OlivesDinner

Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives

This Moroccan chicken tagine recipe layers saffron, ginger, preserved lemon, and cracked green olives over bone-in thighs for a bright, savory braise that works in any Dutch oven — no tagine required.

1h 15m4Read →
Nigerian Jollof Rice Recipe (Smoky Party-Style)Dinner

Nigerian Jollof Rice Recipe (Smoky Party-Style)

This Nigerian jollof rice recipe delivers party-style smoky flavor with a scorched-pot bottom, blended red pepper base, and long-grain parboiled rice. The best easy jollof rice for home cooks.

1h 15m6Read →
Smoky Party-Style Jollof Rice RecipeAfrican

Smoky Party-Style Jollof Rice Recipe

Master the ultimate jollof rice recipe with this guide to achieving deep red color, bold West African spices, and that signature smoky bottom-pot flavor.

1h 20m6Read →
Traditional Moroccan Harira Soup with Lamb and LentilsAfrican

Traditional Moroccan Harira Soup with Lamb and Lentils

This authentic Moroccan harira soup is a hearty, velvet-textured stew of lamb, chickpeas, and lentils, scented with ras el hanout and finished with fresh herbs and lemon.

1h 30m6Read →
Traditional South African Bobotie with Savory CustardAfrican

Traditional South African Bobotie with Savory Custard

Master this traditional South African bobotie recipe featuring spiced meat, apricot jam, and a silky egg custard top. A perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spice.

1h 15m6Read →
West African Peanut Stew with Chicken and Sweet PotatoAfrican

West African Peanut Stew with Chicken and Sweet Potato

This authentic West African peanut stew features bone-in chicken and sweet potatoes simmered in a rich, spicy peanut and tomato sauce. Hearty, silky, and easy to make.

1h 10m6Read →