Trust me—you need this homemade suya spice recipe in your kitchen. It’s perfect for making Beef Suya, Epic Chicken Wings, or Cameroonian Soya without skewers.
What Is Suya?
Suya (also called soya in some countries) is a beloved West African street food consisting of well-spiced, grilled pieces of meat, traditionally threaded on skewers.
Names vary by country: in Nigeria it’s called suya, in Cameroon soya, in Ghana chinchinga, and in French-speaking areas it’s often referred to as les brochettes. It’s sometimes described as beef kebab or kabob—rich, savory, and addictive.
Street Food At Home
The Hausa vendors who sell suya on the roadside have always been my go-to when I crave it. After moving to the United States, I began experimenting to recreate that authentic flavor at home.
Sometimes I marinate the meat using freshly ground spices; other times I aim to reproduce the signature suya spice—also called soya pepper—that gives the dish its recognizable taste. Early attempts were disappointing, but after persistent tweaking I developed a suya spice blend that hits the mark.
Ingredients For Homemade Suya Spice
The three core ingredients are:
- Roasted peanut powder: Peanuts (groundnuts) form the base and give the blend its nutty texture.
- Ginger powder: Adds warmth and a bright, slightly spicy note.
- Hot pepper powder: Cayenne or similar chili powder provides the heat—adjust to taste.
Additional ingredients to round out the flavor:
- Salt
- Maggi or bouillon powder for savory depth
- White or black pepper
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Paprika for color; smoked paprika adds a smoky layer
Homemade Suya Spice Is Better
This blend is incredibly flavorful and fresh—when you use it, the meat needs little else. I’ve compared it to store-bought blends and the homemade version is far superior: brighter, fresher, and far less flat or stale-smelling.
Use this suya spice to season or marinate beef, chicken, fish, or any protein you like. If you prefer a milder spice, simply omit the hot pepper. I keep two jars at home—one spicy, one mild—for the whole family.
Watch The Video
I demonstrate how to make this suya spice in a short video so you can follow along and become your own spice guru. Subscribe to the creator’s YouTube channel to receive new recipe videos and updates.
Watch how to make homemade suya spice:
More African Recipes To Try
- Nigerian Beef Stew
- Vitumbua – East African Coconut Rice Pancakes
- African Chicken Stew
- African Okra Soup
- How To Make Puff Puff
- Cameroonian Pepper Soup
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Homemade Suya Spice
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Ingredients
- 1/4 cup ginger powder
- 1/4 cup peanut powdersubstitute with ground peanuts (groundnuts). Squeeze out excess oil with a cloth before use.
- 2 small cubes Maggi (seasoning cube)
- 2 tablespoons red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1 tablespoon paprikaoptional
Instructions
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Combine all ingredients in a small blender cup or coffee grinder and blend until well combined.
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Pass the blend through a fine sieve to remove any large bits.
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Store in an airtight container. You can also freeze it for longer storage.
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Use to rub on skewered meat before grilling, or as a marinade for chicken or fish.
Notes
Nutrition
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Calories: 57 kcal
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Carbohydrates: 10 g
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Protein: 3 g
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Fat: 1 g
Additional Info
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