How To Make Coconut Jollof Rice – Delicious Tropical Party Delight

9jakitchenblog
February 21, 2026

Learn How To Make Coconut Jollof Rice with this ultimate, delicious tropical Nigerian recipe. This easy Coconut Jollof Rice is rich, smoky, flavourful, and perfect for parties, family meals, and festive celebrations.

🌴 Introduction

If you love classic Nigerian rice dishes but want something richer, creamier, and delightfully tropical, then Coconut Jollof Rice is exactly what you need. This vibrant dish combines the smoky tomato base of traditional jollof rice with the creamy sweetness of coconut milk, creating a bold and unforgettable flavour profile.

Coconut Jollof Rice is a beautiful variation of the famous Jollof Rice served across Nigeria. It delivers that iconic party-style taste while introducing a subtle coconut aroma that elevates the dish to a whole new level.

Whether you’re planning a weekend family meal, hosting a celebration, or simply exploring exciting rice recipes, learning how to make Coconut Jollof will add an impressive and delicious recipe to your 9jaKitchen collection.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here’s why this Jollof Rice recipe deserves a permanent spot in your kitchen:

🌴 It Has A Rich Tropical Flavor – The coconut milk adds creamy depth.
🍅 It Maintains That Authentic Jollof Base – Smoky, peppery, and satisfying.
🍚 Perfect For Parties – A fantastic Party Jollof Rice variation.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Friendly – Kids and adults love the mild coconut sweetness.
🔥 Customisable – You can make it spicy, mild, vegetarian, or protein-packed.

This Nigerian Coconut Jollof Rice is the perfect balance between traditional and innovative.

🛒 Ingredients Needed

To prepare authentic Coconut Jollof Rice, gather the following:

🍚 Long Grain Parboiled Rice – The best rice for achieving fluffy grains.
🥥 Coconut Milk – Provides the creamy tropical base.
🥥 Coconut Water (Optional) – Enhances coconut flavour.
🍅 Fresh Tomatoes – For the rich jollof sauce base.
🌶️ Red Bell Peppers (Tatashe) – Adds colour and mild sweetness.
🌶️ Scotch Bonnet (Ata Rodo) – For heat and spice.
🧅 Onions – For depth and aroma.
🥄 Tomato Paste – Intensifies the tomato flavour.
🧂 Seasoning Cubes – Boosts savoury notes.
🧂 Salt – Enhances overall taste.
🌿 Thyme – Adds subtle herbal aroma.
🌿 Curry Powder – For warmth and colour.
🛢️ Vegetable Oil – For frying the sauce.
🍗 Protein Of Choice (Chicken, Shrimp, Beef – Optional)
🥕 Mixed Vegetables (Optional) – Carrots, green beans, peas for garnish.

Each ingredient plays a key role in delivering perfectly balanced Coconut Jollof Rice.

🍳 Equipment Needed

You’ll need:

🍲 Large Pot With Tight Lid
🔥 Cooker Or Stove
🥄 Wooden Spoon
🧉 Blender
🥣 Mixing Bowl
🍽️ Serving Dish

A heavy-bottomed pot helps prevent burning while cooking Coconut Jollof Rice.

👩‍🍳 Step-By-Step Guide On How To Make Coconut Jollof Rice

🔥 Step 1: Prepare The Pepper Base

Blend tomatoes, red bell peppers, scotch bonnet, and half of the onions.
Blend until smooth but slightly textured.

🍅 Step 2: Fry The Tomato Sauce

Heat vegetable oil in your pot.
Add chopped onions and sauté until translucent.
Stir in tomato paste and fry for 3–5 minutes.
Pour in blended pepper mixture.
Cook until reduced, and the oil floats on top.

This stage defines the richness of your Coconut Jollof Rice.

🧂 Step 3: Season The Sauce

Add thyme, curry powder, seasoning cubes, and salt.
Stir thoroughly.
Allow to simmer for 5 minutes.

🥥 Step 4: Add Coconut Milk

Pour in coconut milk.
Add a little coconut water or stock if needed.
Stir and taste for seasoning adjustment.

This is where Coconut Jollof Rice gets its signature creamy aroma.

🍚 Step 5: Add Washed Rice

Rinse parboiled rice thoroughly.
Add rice to the sauce.
Stir until evenly coated.
Ensure the liquid level is slightly above the rice.

🔥 Step 6: Cook On Low Heat

Cover with foil or a tight lid.
Cook on low heat for 25–35 minutes.
Stir gently halfway through.
Allow slight bottom caramelisation for party-style flavour.

Perfectly cooked Coconut Jollof Rice should be fluffy, moist, and non-sticky.

How To Make Coconut Jollof Rice — Coconut Jollof Rice

⭐ Tips For A Perfect Result

To master how to make Coconut Jollof, follow these expert tips:

✔️ Use thick coconut milk for a richer flavour.
✔️ Avoid too much liquid to prevent sogginess.
✔️ Cook on low heat to avoid burning.
✔️ Stir gently to keep rice grains intact.
✔️ Allow a slight smoky bottom layer for an authentic taste.
✔️ Use long-grain parboiled rice for the best texture.
✔️ Fry tomato paste properly to remove the sour taste.
✔️ Balance the sweetness of coconut with spice.

The secret to exceptional Coconut Jollof Rice is balance.

🍽️ Serving Suggestion

Serve Coconut Jollof Rice with:

🍗 Fried Or Grilled Chicken
🥩 Peppered Beef
🍤 Grilled Shrimp
🥗 Coleslaw
🍌 Fried Plantain
🥒 Fresh Salad

It’s ideal for birthdays, weddings, and festive celebrations.

🔄 Variations

You can personalise Coconut Jollof Rice in many ways:

🥕 Vegetable Coconut Jollof Rice (Vegetarian)
🍤 Seafood Coconut Jollof Rice
🍗 Chicken Coconut Jollof Rice
🌶️ Extra Spicy Version
🍍 Add Pineapple Chunks For Tropical Twist

Each variation transforms your Coconut Jollof Rice into something unique.

📊 Nutritional Information (Approximate Per Serving)

Nutrient	Amount	% Daily Value (DV)
Calories	420 kcal	21%
Carbohydrates	60 g	22%
Protein	8 g	16%
Fat	15 g	19%
Saturated Fat	10 g	50%
Fiber	4 g	14%
Sodium	600 mg	26%

🔗 Source: MyNetDiary – Jollof Rice↗

💚 Health Benefits And Advice

🥥 Coconut Milk Contains Healthy Fats – Supports energy levels
🍅 Tomatoes Provide Lycopene – Supports heart health.
🌶️ Peppers Boost Metabolism.
🍚 Rice Provides Sustained Energy.

While Coconut Jollof Rice is nutritious, moderation is advised due to the coconut’s saturated fat content.

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 Brown Rice For Coconut Jollof Rice?
👉 Yes, but adjust cooking time and liquid levels accordingly.

Q2. Why Is My Coconut Jollof Rice Mushy?
👉 Too much liquid or over-stirring can cause mushiness.

Q3. Can I Cook This Jollof Rice In The Oven?
👉 Yes, bake covered at 180°C after preparing the sauce.

Q4. Is This Jollof Rice Sweet?
👉 It has a mild sweetness balanced by spice.

Q5. Can I Store Leftovers?
👉 Yes, refrigerate up to 3 days and reheat gently.

🌟 Final Thought

Learning how to make Coconut Jollof Rice opens up a delicious tropical twist to classic Nigerian cooking. This flavourful, creamy, and party-ready rice dish is guaranteed to impress your guests and family alike.

Whether you are exploring new variations of jollof or building your rice recipe collection for 9jaKitchen, Coconut Jollof Rice is a must-try recipe that brings warmth, aroma, and irresistible taste to your table.

Happy cooking! 🍚🔥

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