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Jollof Rice Recipe

Jollof Rice Recipe

Jollof Rice is a vibrant, oven-baked West African rice dish made with blended tomatoes, bell peppers, Scotch bonnet, and warm spices.
The sauce is reduced for depth of flavor before long-grain rice is baked until tender and fluffy. Bold, customizable, and perfect for gatherings,
it’s a flavorful main or side that tastes even better the next day.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 10
Calories: 352
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Cooking spray
  • 3 medium tomatoes
  • 1 Scotch bonnet or habanero pepper seeded for less heat
  • 1 medium onion half coarsely chopped and half sliced
  • 3 red bell peppers cored and roughly chopped
  • 1 cup chicken stock or water more if needed
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon sweet or smoky paprika
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 cups long-grain rice rinsed until water runs clear
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  2. In a blender, combine the tomatoes, Scotch bonnet pepper, chopped onion, and bell peppers. Blend until smooth.
  3. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onions, season with salt, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
  4. Add the bay leaves, curry powder, paprika, thyme, ginger, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Cook for about 1 minute to bloom the spices.
  5. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 2 minutes.
  6. Pour in the blended tomato-pepper mixture and cook over medium heat for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the mixture reduces by about half.
  7. Add 1 cup of stock and bring to a boil.
  8. Stir in the rinsed rice and butter. Adjust salt to taste.
  9. Carefully transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
  10. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until the rice is tender. Check after 30 minutes and add a little more stock or water if needed.
  11. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Notes

Jollof rice is bold, vibrant, and deeply comforting. It’s not just a side dish — it’s the star of the plate.
When made right, every grain is coated in rich, spiced tomato flavor with just the right amount of heat.