Explore the incredible flavors of Nigerian Christmas foods! We’re taking you on a tasty tour across the country to savor the amazing dishes that light up holiday tables. From Nigeria’s sweet treats to Ethiopia’s fragrant stews, South Africa’s savory meats, Kenya’s tasty meats, and Tanzania’s delicious fish, there’s something delicious for everyone! So, take a break, relax, and enjoy the warmth and joy these amazing dishes bring to this festive season. No matter where you’re from, chances are your Christmas feast in Nigeria will be filled with delightful assorted dishes.
Traditional African Christmas Foods
During Christmas in African countries, meals usually include fish or poultry served with starches such as yams or plantains and hearty veggies. In South Africa, you might find Pap and Chakalaka, African beef burgers, sausages, roast potatoes, sweet potato and butternut bake, salad, and maize porridge. In places like Kenya and Tanzania, it’s common to enjoy ugali, chapati, and rice with fried chicken or goat meat.
African Christmas Foods from Nigeria
Christmas in Nigeria is a food lover’s dream. The variety of delicious Nigerian dishes can be overwhelming, but we’re here to help! Nigerian cuisine is a fusion of traditional African and Islamic flavors. They often use rice, yams, beans, cassava, maize, and millet as main ingredients. Meat, especially goat or beef, is frequently featured in their dishes. Famous Nigerian dishes comprise jollof rice (rice cooked in tomato sauce), egusi soup (made with ground melon seeds), and dodo (fried plantains).
1. Nigerian Basmati Fried Rice
During Christmas in Nigeria, Basmati Fried Rice takes the spotlight. It’s a delicious African Christmas food cooked with spices, veggies, and meat. It is paired with stew or soup, and a guarantee to fill you up and get you into the Christmas vibe!
Ingredients
- 4 cups Basmati rice
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
- 5 cups Chicken Stock
- 3 cups Mixed Vegetables (Green peas, Runner beans, green pepper, Sweetcorn, Carrot)
- 1 Big Onion, Chopped
- 1-2 cups Cooked Shrimp/Prawns
- 1 cup Cooked Liver, diced
- 1 cup Chopped Spring Onions
- 4 Knorr Chicken Cubes
- 1 tablespoon Curry Powder
- 1 tablespoon Dried Thyme
- Salt to Taste
For a delicious Nigerian Fried Rice, use chicken or beef. The quality of your beef or chicken greatly impacts the dish. Try the Coconut Fried Rice recipe, marinating and frying chicken, then add the juices to your rice for a chicken stock substitute. When making Fried Rice, fresh veggies are best, especially for carrots which add sweetness. Ensure your sweetcorn is genuinely sweetcorn, not regular raw corn, for the best taste.
Watch the cooking process here
2. Efo Riro (Spinach Stew) with Beef
Spinach Stew, known as Efo Riro, is a beloved Nigerian dish prepared with either beef or chicken. The spinach is simmered into a delicious stew. The beef makes the stew more delicious. This stew is a flavor-packed one-pot wonder. Though it needs several ingredients, assembling it is easy to cook, especially if all the ingredients are prepped beforehand.
Efo riro originates from the Yoruba language in Nigeria. ‘Efo’ translates to “green leafy vegetable” or “spinach,” while ‘riro‘ means “to stir.” Essentially, Efo riro means “stirred leafy vegetable.” Yet, it’s not just about stirring the veggies alone. You need to combine them with a flavorful pepper sauce loaded with Meat, Crayfish, Dry Fish, and other preferred meats or fish.
The ingredients
- 1.5 pounds Spinach
- 3 Large red peppers
- 2 Scotch bonnet peppers
- 1 very small onion
- 1/4 cup Palm Oil
- 2 tablespoons Crayfish
- 1/2 cup Fish stock
- 1 Prawn
- 1 Onion
- 2 tablespoons locust bean
- 1 Bouillon Cube
- 1 pound Beef
Traditionally, Iru (locust bean) adds great flavor, but some avoid it due to its smell. If you’re not a fan, skip it. Crayfish is common in Yoruba-style Efo riro. If unavailable, smoked Fish or Smoked Turkey work well for that rich flavor without using seasoning cubes.
Recipe for Efo riro
- Gather all your ingredients: Boiled meat, fish, turkey, chicken, or your preferred protein.
- Heat the oil: I prefer warming it a bit. Instead of bleaching palm oil, I heat it with the onion. As the onion cooks in the oil, the palm oil also warms up, which works well for me.
- Fry the blended peppers. PLEASE DON’T FAIL TO DO THIS. Fry until the sauce thickens, the water evaporates, and it reduces. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning, stirring constantly until it reaches that thick consistency.
- Season and combine with the meat and spinach: Spice up the sauce with all the spices and condiments.
- Add the meat, stockfish, dried prawns, or your chosen protein. Allow it to simmer and soak in all the deliciousness of the sauce. Then, mix in the spinach.
- Last step: Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Take it off the heat and serve.
Take Note for Amazing Efo riro results
- Blanch your spinach by briefly boiling it in hot water, then immediately cool it in a sieve under cold tap water to stop cooking.
- When frying onions, avoid burning them; once they turn slightly brown, proceed with the recipe.
- Ensure to drain excess water from the spinach to prevent a watery stew.
- Though not always used, tomatoes can be added for a lighter version of this stew.
- For a non-vegan option, consider fried tofu mushrooms, or both, for a vegan alternative.
- Avoid overcooking the spinach; prolonged stovetop exposure can cause vegetables to lose nutrients and turn brown.
FAQS on Preparing Efo Riro
Can you use Vegetable Oil for stewed Spinach?
Palm oil is preferred for making Efo riro, lending it an authentic flavor. However, Palm oil might not be readily available everywhere. In such cases, you can opt for vegetable oil as an alternative.
What if I don’t have dry fish?
Sure! You can substitute it with beef, chicken, turkey, or any protein you prefer.
Is locust bean necessary?
Though traditional stewed spinach includes locust bean, feel free to skip it if you can’t find it.
Cheesy Yam Balls a Delicious Nigerian Christmas Foods
Looking to spice up your Christmas menu? Try out cheesy yam balls—a delightful addition that’s sure to please. These heavenly treats are a must-try for a memorable Christmas feast! Cheesy Yam Balls are pure bites of heaven. This recipe defines my most amazing cravings with Cheese ranking number one.
Golden-brown crunch on the outside, mashed potato goodness within. No resisting these! This upgraded sausage balls recipe adds cheese, sweet potato, and Chorizo sausage for an even tastier twist. Perfect for game days and holiday gatherings, It’s among the most famous Nigerian Christmas foods. The snack-sized delights are dip-worthy. Pair them with marmalade dipping sauce for that extra flavorful kick!
Ingredients
- 3 slices of Yam
- 1 cup chopped Cheddar cheese
- 2 cups Breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 2 eggs
- Seasoning cubes
- 1 tablespoon Suya Spice
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- A sprig of parsley (optional)
- Oil for frying
During this Christmas season, gather with friends over wine, cheese, almonds, and raisins—It has been a hard year, enjoy the good life. Infuse the love of Nigerian Christmas food and cuisine inspired by croquettes. Feel free to customize the recipe by adding extras like shredded bacon or beef bits to spice up the yam mix.
Preparing Cheesy Yam Balls
- Boil the yam until it’s very soft.
- In a bowl, mash the hot yam with butter, seasoning cubes, black pepper, and chopped parsley. Set this mixture aside.
- Combine breadcrumbs and Suya spice in a separate bowl. Set it aside.
- Whisk the eggs in a bowl and set aside.
- Take a scoop of the mashed yam, place a cube of cheese in the center, and mould the yam around it.
- Dip the yam ball in the beaten egg, then coat it with the seasoned breadcrumbs.
- Fry the yam balls on medium heat until they turn golden brown.
Serve the cheesy yam balls with a spicy creamy sauce.
Enjoy these amazing Nigerian Christmas Foods.