How To Make Efo Riro – A Powerful, Comforting & Absolutely Delicious Nigerian Spinach Stew 🍲

🥘 Introduction

How to make Efo Riro is one of the most searched Nigerian food queries—and for good reason. Efo riro is a rich, deeply flavorful Yoruba spinach stew that perfectly represents the boldness of Nigerian cuisine. Made with green leafy vegetables, blended peppers, palm oil, assorted meats, and irresistible seasonings, this dish is comfort food at its finest.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make efo riro that tastes just like what you’d get at a Nigerian party, buka, or family gathering, you’re in the right place.

By the end of this post, you’ll confidently know how to make efo riro that is rich, balanced, colourful, and absolutely unforgettable.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll fall in love with this how to make efo riro recipe because it is:

• 🌿 Authentic – Prepared the traditional Yoruba way
• 🔥 Deeply Flavorful – Packed with pepper, palm oil, and umami
• 🥩 Protein-Rich – Loaded with assorted meats and seafood
• 🥬 Nutrient-Dense – Thanks to spinach and locust beans
• 🍽️ Versatile – Perfect with swallow, rice, or plantain
• 🕒 Meal-Prep Friendly – Tastes even better the next day

Whether you’re new to Nigerian cooking or perfecting your skills, this how to make efo riro guide is reliable and rewarding.

🧺 Ingredients Needed

Below are the essential ingredients required to master how to make efo riro, with brief explanations:

Vegetables

• 🥬 Spinach (or Ugwu/Efo Shoko) – The star vegetable; washed and chopped
• 🥬 Other Leafy Greens (optional): Such as waterleaf or lambsquarters

Proteins

• 🥩 Assorted Meat – Beef, shaki, cow skin (ponmo), tripe
• 🐟 Smoked Fish – Adds smoky umami notes
• 🦐 Dried Crayfish – Intensifies flavour
• 🦐 Stockfish – For added depth of flavour (optional)

Seasoning

• 🧅 Onions – Enhances aroma and depth
• 🌶️ Red Bell Peppers (Tatashe) – Provides colour and sweetness
• 🌶️ Scotch Bonnet (Ata Rodo) – Adds signature Nigerian heat
• 🌰 Locust Beans (Iru) – Traditional seasoning for authenticity
• 🧂 Salt – Balances flavors
• 🧄 Stock Cubes – Boosts savoury taste
• 🍲 Meat Stock – Prevents dryness and enhances richness
• 🛢️ Palm Oil – Gives efo riro its rich colour and flavour

🍳 Equipment Needed

To properly execute how to make efo riro, you’ll need:

• 🍲 Large cooking pot
• 🔪 Sharp kitchen knife
• 🥣 Mixing bowls
• 🧂 Wooden spoon or spatula
• 🧄 Blender or food processor
• 🧺 Colander for washing vegetables

👩‍🍳 Step-By-Step Guide: How To Make Efo Riro

🔥 Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Prepare And Cook The Meat

1. If you’re using assorted meats, wash them and cut them into bite-sized pieces. In a large pot, add the meats along with some water, a pinch of salt, and your choice of seasoning cubes. You can also add chopped onions and other spices for enhanced flavour.
2. Bring to a boil and allow to simmer until the meat is tender (about 30-45 minutes). If you’re using stockfish or dried fish, add them halfway through cooking to prevent them from becoming too soft.

Step 2: Blend the Pepper Mixture

In a blender, combine the chopped pepper, a little onion, and a few other spices as desired. Blend until smooth, adding a little water if necessary for easier blending.

Step 3: Cook the Base

1. In a separate large pot, heat the palm oil on medium heat. Allow it to get hot but not smoking.
2. Add the blended pepper mixture to the hot oil. Stir and let it fry for about 10-15 minutes until the oil separates from the sauce, indicating that the mixture is cooked. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.

Step 4: Add the Proteins and Vegetables

1. Add the cooked meats and any reserved stock to the pepper mixture in the pot. Stir well to combine.
2. If using, add the iru and ground crayfish at this stage. Adjust the seasoning with salt and seasoning cubes to your taste.
3. Finally, add the chopped spinach (and any other leafy greens if using). Stir well and allow everything to simmer together for about 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavours to meld.

Step 5: Final Touches

1. Once cooked, the Efo Riro soup should have a rich, deep colour and aromatic smell. Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary.
2. Serve hot with your choice of swallow or rice, and enjoy this nutritious and hearty dish!

🎯 Tips For A Perfect Result

For the best, how to make efo riro outcome:

• ✔️ Let the stew rest for 10 minutes before serving
• ✔️ Always fry pepper thoroughly
• ✔️ Do not overcook spinach
• ✔️ Use enough palm oil—but don’t bleach
• ✔️ Balance heat with sweetness from tatashe
• ✔️ Add iru sparingly for depth, not dominance

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Efo Riro is best served with:

• 🍚 White rice
• 🍠 Pounded yam
• 🌾 Amala
• 🍞 Eba
• 🍌 Fried plantain

🔄 Variations

You can customize how to make efo riro by trying:

• 🐔 Chicken efo riro
• 🐟 Seafood efo riro
• 🌱 Vegetarian efo riro (mushrooms & tofu)
• 🥬 Ugwu or efo shoko instead of spinach

Efo Riro Recipe

📊 Nutritional Information (Approximate Per Serving)

Nutrient	Amount	% Daily Value (DV)
Calories	320 kcal	16%
Protein	22 g	44%
Fat	20 g	31%
Carbohydrates	10 g	3%
Fiber	4 g	14%
Iron	5 mg	28%
Vitamin A	4100 IU	82%
Vitamin C	35 mg	58%

🔗 Source: SnapCalorie – Efe Riro↗

🌿 Health Benefits And Advice

Eating efo riro regularly can:

• 💪 Support muscle growth (high protein)
• ❤️ Promote heart health (healthy fats)
• 🩸 Improve blood levels (iron-rich)
• 👁️ Enhance vision (vitamin A)
• 🌱 Support digestion (fiber from vegetables)

For a healthier version, reduce palm oil slightly and increase vegetables.

Note: The information provided in this blog post is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I use frozen spinach?
👉 Yes, but thaw and squeeze out excess water before use.

Q2. Why is my efo riro watery?
👉 Pepper wasn’t fried long enough or spinach released water.

Q3. Can I cook efo riro without palm oil?
👉 Palm oil is traditional, but vegetable oil can be used if necessary.

Q4. How long does efo riro last?
👉 Up to 4 days refrigerated and 2 months frozen.

Q5. Is efo riro spicy?
👉 It can be adjusted based on pepper quantity.

✨ Final Thought

Now you truly know how to make traditional Nigerian efo riro soup the authentic Nigerian way—rich, comforting, powerful, and absolutely delicious. This timeless Yoruba spinach stew is more than food; it’s culture, warmth, and tradition served in a pot.

Whether you’re cooking for family, guests, or meal prep, this how-to make Yoruba efo riro spinach stew guide guarantees success every single time. Happy cooking, and welcome to the true taste of Nigeria 🇳🇬🍲.

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