How to Cook a Delicious Pot of Nigerian Pepper Soup

There’s something comforting about a hot bowl of pepper soup, especially on a rainy evening or after a long day. The combination of fresh pepper, traditional spices and fragrant herbs gives it a flavour that’s hard to resist.

Whether you prefer yours with catfish, goat meat, assorted beef or chicken, making a good pot of pepper soup at home is easier than you might think. Here’s what you’ll need and how to make it.

What You’ll Need

• 1 kg of your preferred protein (catfish, goat meat, assorted beef or chicken).
• 2 tablespoons of pepper soup spice.
• A handful of fresh scent leaves (efirin) or uziza leaves.
• 1 small onion, chopped.
• A small piece of fresh ginger.
• 2 cloves of garlic, crushed.
• 2–3 fresh habanero peppers (atarodo), blended or pounded.
• 2 seasoning cubes.
• Salt to taste.

How to Prepare Your Pepper Soup

Step 1: Prepare your meat

If you’re using goat meat or assorted beef, put them in a pot with chopped onions, garlic, ginger, one seasoning cube and a little salt. Add enough water to cover the meat and cook until tender.

For catfish, you can skip this step and add it later since it cooks much faster.

Step 2: Prepare the broth

Once your meat is tender, add about 3–4 cups of water, depending on how much broth you want. Bring it to a boil before adding your pepper soup spice, blended atarodo and the remaining seasoning cube.

Step 3: Let the flavours develop

If you’re using catfish, gently add the pieces to the broth at this stage. Reduce the heat and allow everything to simmer for about 10 minutes. This gives the spices enough time to flavour the broth.

Step 4: Add the finishing touch

Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Add your chopped scent leaves or uziza leaves and leave to simmer for another 2 minutes before turning off the heat.

Ready to Serve!

Your pepper soup is ready! Serve hot on its own or alongside boiled yam, sweet potatoes or plantain. It’s perfect for a quiet evening at home or when you have friends and family around.

Before you get cooking, make sure you have everything you need. You can find fresh peppers, onions, ginger, seasoning cubes and other ingredients on the FeedMe Shop. Place your order and get your groceries delivered anywhere in Lagos within 3 hours. Less time at the market, more time in the kitchen!