Skip to content
Litlunches

Nigerian Pepper Soup

May 18, 2026

Nigerian Pepper Soup

A light but intensely aromatic West African pepper soup made with goat meat, warming spices, and fresh herbs. Traditionally served hot and spicy, it is especially popular as a comforting evening meal.

  • Prep 20min
  • Cook 1h 40min
  • Total 2h
  • Yield 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 kg goat meat or chicken, cut into pieces
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
  • 2 tbsp pepper soup spice mix
  • 1 tsp ground crayfish (optional)
  • 2 fresh Scotch bonnet peppers, chopped
  • 1 stock cube
  • 1.5 liters water
  • 1 small bunch fresh scent leaves or basil
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

  • Rinse the meat thoroughly and place it in a large pot with the onion, garlic, ginger, stock cube, and salt.
  • Add water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
  • Reduce the heat and simmer for about 1 hour, skimming any foam from the surface.
  • Stir in the pepper soup spice mix, crayfish if using, and chopped Scotch bonnet peppers.
  • Continue simmering for another 30 to 40 minutes until the meat is tender and the broth is aromatic.
  • Add the fresh scent leaves or basil during the final 5 minutes of cooking.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
  • Serve very hot, traditionally on its own or with boiled yam or plantains.

Notes

This recipe is inspired by a passage from The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma. It is AI-generated and shared for entertainment, culinary inspiration, and reading enjoyment. Please use your own judgment and experience when preparing it.