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Egusi soup
Put the beef in a pot with the chopped onion, one stock cube, salt and 1 litre of water. Simmer until tender, 45 minutes to an hour. Add the stockfish for the last 20 minutes. Keep the meat and stock separately.
Questions about this dish
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.
How long does Egusi soup take?
2 hr all in — 30 min prep, 1 hr 30 min cook. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 6 bowls. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
Medium.
How spicy is it?
Hot.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Fish, Shellfish. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Dairy-free, Gluten-free.
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What does it cost to cook?
A bit special — about $16–28 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Dutch oven, Blender, Stockpot, Chef's knife.
How much salt do I put in?
The recipe lists Salt at 1 tsp.
What can I use instead?
Pounded yam → Instant pounded yam flour or garri (eba). Both are what busy Nigerian kitchens reach for. Follow the packet; it is a whisk-into-boiling-water job. Beef and stockfish → Goat meat or smoked turkey. Any slow-cooked meat with its stock works. Skip the fish if you cannot find stockfish.
What should I watch for?
Do not let the palm oil smoke. If it goes black and bitter, start again.
Any tips from this recipe?
Ground egusi is sold in West African grocers and online. Whole seeds grind in a spice grinder in seconds. If you find bitterleaf (washed, dried) or ugu, use 200 g in place of the spinach for the proper flavour. Egusi thickens as it stands. Loosen leftovers with hot water, not stock, or they turn salty.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.