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Meat, Africa and overseas

Beef suya with fried plantains and salad

Beef suya is a Nigerian skewer of thin beef strips coated in a spiced peanut crust, served with fried plantains and a tomato and onion salad. This recipe serves 4, takes 50 minutes, is rated easy, and costs about €4.60 per person. The key is slicing the beef thin and grilling it quickly over high heat.

Tonight, a Nigerian barbecue in your kitchen, with peanut spiced beef skewers, golden fried plantains and an onion salad.

Beef suya with fried plantains and salad
Total time
50 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€4.60
Calories per person
640 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Spring
The kids
They generally like it

Suya starts with that crust of crushed peanuts and spices clinging to thin beef strips, grilled until it turns almost black in spots. Underneath, the meat stays tender if you slice it thin against the grain. Fried plantains bring a sweet softness, while the raw red onion and tomato salad cuts through with sharp, fresh acidity.

This is a dinner for when you want something different without extra hassle, the steps stay simple and even kids can enjoy eating it. Serve it on a spring or summer evening, with family or with guests curious to try a cuisine they might not know yet.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Beef rump steak 700 g

Pantry

  • Unsalted roasted peanuts 100 g
  • Paprikaoften in the pantry 2 tsp
  • Chili powderoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Ground gingeroften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Garlic powderoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Frying oiloften in the pantry 20 cl
  • Peanut oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Ripe plantains 3
  • Red onion 1
  • Tomatoes 3

Allergens Peanuts

The step by step recipe

  1. Blend the roasted peanuts with the spices and salt to make the suya powder. 5 min

    Don't blend too long, or you'll end up with peanut butter instead of a powder.

  2. Cut the beef into thin strips, coat them in oil then in suya powder, and thread them onto skewers. 15 min

    Slice the meat against the grain, it stays tender once cooked.

  3. Peel the plantains, cut them into thick rounds and fry until golden. 10 min

    Flip them once, they brown fast because of the sugar.

  4. Grill the skewers under the oven broiler or in a grill pan, a few minutes on each side. 8 min

    Don't overcook them, beef turns dry and tough very quickly.

  5. Slice the onion and tomatoes into a salad and serve with the skewers, sprinkled with extra suya powder.

    Keep some powder on the table, it's the best seasoning there is.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick unsalted roasted peanuts so you control the salt level and the heat yourself.
  • Thread the meat in a zigzag on the skewers rather than flat, it cooks more evenly and stays juicy.
  • If you use wooden skewers, soak them in water first so they don't burn under the grill.

The variations

  • Swap the beef for thinly sliced chicken, it will cook slightly faster under the grill.
  • For a vegetarian version, skewer portobello mushrooms and firm tofu coated in the same suya spice mix.
  • For kids in a hurry, skip the skewers and pan sear the beef strips instead, served alongside the plantains and salad.

What to serve it with

  • Jollof rice or plain white rice
  • Cold lemon water
  • Homemade ginger juice

Storage

Keep leftovers in the fridge in a sealed container for 2 to 3 days. Cooked beef freezes well, but fried plantains lose their crispness once thawed. Reheat the meat in a hot pan so it doesn't dry out.

Questions about this dish

Can you make the suya spice mix ahead of time?

Yes, you can blend it and store it in a sealed jar for several days. It's actually handy for saving time on the day you grill the skewers.

Can you use a different nut instead of peanuts?

Try roasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds for a peanut free version with a different flavor. The taste will be less traditional but the crunchy texture stays close.

Do you need metal skewers?

No, wooden skewers soaked in water beforehand work fine. Metal skewers just skip that soaking step.

How do you know the plantains are ripe enough?

Look for plantains with yellow skin speckled with black, almost like a very ripe banana. At that stage they fry up soft and golden instead of staying firm.

How long does it take to make beef suya with fried plantains and a tomato onion salad?

Count 50 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in beef suya with fried plantains and a tomato onion salad?

About 640 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does beef suya with fried plantains and a tomato onion salad cost?

About €4.60 per serving, or €18.40 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains peanuts. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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