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Egusi Soup (Nigerian Melon Seed Stew) — Cameroonian Cameroon recipe, 45 min, serves 6Cameroonian

Egusi Soup (Nigerian Melon Seed Stew)

Published ·Updated ·by ·✓ Editorially Reviewed
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KetoLow carbGluten-freeDairy-freePaleoHigh protein

Egusi soup is a Nigerian classic — ground melon seeds cooked with leafy greens, meat, fish and red palm oil into a thick, textured stew. Served with pounded yam, fufu, eba or rice.

45
min
15
prep
🔥
30
cook
👥
6
servings
400
kcal / serving
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Mixeur Puissant Ninja

Pour les sauces lisses (arachide, egusi, graine). Un bon mixeur fait toute la différence sur la texture finale.

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Instructions

1

Cook the viande with onion and broth 20 minutes.

2

Mix the seeds of egusi with a little of water for former a paste.

3

Add the palm oil with broth. Add the paste of egusi by cuillerées.

4

Simmer 10 min. Add spinach and fish fumé, cook 5 min of more.

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Common Questions

How long does it take to cook egusi soup (nigerian melon seed stew)?
Total time is about 45 minutes, with 30 minutes of actual cooking. Cooking times may vary slightly depending on your equipment and ingredient size.
How many servings does this egusi soup (nigerian melon seed stew) recipe make?
This recipe yields 6 servings as written. You can easily scale the recipe up or down using the serving size adjuster above the ingredient list.
Can I customize the ingredients in this recipe?
Yes, the ingredient list shows possible swaps for many items. Stick to similar quantities and textures when substituting to maintain the expected result.
What can I serve with egusi soup (nigerian melon seed stew)?
This dish pairs well with a fresh salad, roasted vegetables, rice, or crusty bread. Check our related recipes below for more ideas.

What to drink with this

🍷
Wine
Sancerre or unoaked Chardonnay.
🍺
Beer
Cameroonian 33 Export.
🍸
Cocktail
Pineapple-ginger highball.
🥤
Non-alcoholic
Folere (hibiscus) drink or ginger juice.
The story behind this recipe ▾
Egusi (or agushi) refers to the seeds of certain melons and gourds — not the common watermelon, but species cultivated specifically for their protein-rich seeds. The seeds are shelled, dried and ground into a coarse powder that thickens the soup and adds a distinctive nutty flavor. Egusi is eaten across West Africa — Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Togo — with regional variations in greens (bitterleaf in the east, spinach or ugu in the south) and proteins (stockfish, dried beef, smoked fish). Red palm oil is traditional and gives the soup its signature orange color; refined palm oil or neutral oil can substitute but the flavor changes.
This recipe is for inspiration only. We do not provide food safety, storage, or nutritional advice. Always follow your local food safety guidelines. Check all ingredients for allergens.
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