Nigerian Suya Recipe (Spicy African Grilled Beef Skewers)

Who’s ready for a taste of Nigerian street food? Suya is bold, smoky grilled meat on skewers, coated in a nutty, spicy peanut-chili blend that you can dial up or down to your perfect heat level.

It’s juicy, it’s fiery, and it’s ridiculously easy to make at home, perfect for backyard grilling!

Let me show you how to make suya at home.

Suya Ingredients

The full ingredients list with measurements is listed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Beef. Traditionally made with lean cuts like round or rump. Flank steak, sirloin, or skirt steak are great choices. Lamb, chicken, goat, or offal are also traditional.
• Roasted peanuts. Peanut powder works too, or crushed kuli kuli (a crunchy, pressed peanut snack that’s hard to find outside West Africa). Almonds or cashews can be used in a pinch, but flavor will differ.
• Cayenne pepper. Or use bird’s eye chilies or Nigerian hot chili powder for authentic heat. Paprika makes a milder option.
• Paprika. Smoked or sweet both work.
• Garlic Powder & Onion Powder. Staples for suya spice. You can use fresh minced for the marinade.
• White Pepper. Black pepper can be used, but flavor will be slightly different.
• Ground Ginger. Fresh grated ginger can be subbed, though it’s stronger and best in short marinades.
• Ground Cloves or Nutmeg. For pungency and depth.
• Salt. To taste.
• Maggi or Knorr bouillon powder. Common in Nigerian cooking for an umami boost, but optional.
• Vegetable oil. Helps the spice blend stick to the meat. Any neutral oil works.
• Skewers. Wooden skewers (soaked in water) for grilling. Metal skewers are reusable and work just as well.

How to Make Suya - Step by Step

Make the Suya Spice Mix. Grind the roasted peanuts until they’re a fine, dry powder. Stop before they release oil, or you’ll end up with peanut butter. Skip this step if using peanut powder.

Mix the ground peanuts with your spices to create the nutty, smoky, fiery spice mix.

Soak the Skewers. If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes so they don’t burn on the grill. Metal skewers work too and won’t need soaking.

Prep the Beef. Slice the beef thinly against the grain (about ⅛–¼ inch thick). This keeps even lean cuts tender. Thread the beef onto skewers, leaving a little space between each strip for even cooking.

Season Generously. Brush the beef lightly with oil to help the spice mix stick, then rub the suya spice mixture all over the meat. Really work it in with your hands to coat every piece.

Marinate. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. For deeper flavor, marinate overnight. Just bring the skewers to room temp before grilling.

Grill. Preheat a charcoal grill for the most authentic smoky flavor, or use gas/indoor grill on medium-high heat. You can also cook these indoors on a grill pan.

Grill 3-4 minutes per side over direct heat. The beef should be cooked through but still juicy, with light char marks.

Boom! Done! Your kitchen just turned into a Nigerian street grill. Serving information below!

Serving Suya

Suya is usually enjoyed hot off the grill, still on the skewers, with thinly sliced red onions, tomatoes, and cabbage or cucumber on the side.

It’s often sprinkled with extra suya spice for dipping, making it the ultimate Nigerian street food experience. Serve them with my Nigerian Jollof Rice recipe for a fuller (and spicier) meal.

Make Ahead & Storage

Make Ahead. Prep the suya spice up to a week in advance. You can slice and season the beef a day ahead, then cover and refrigerate until grilling time.

Storage. Leftover cooked suya keeps up to 3 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Reheating. Reheat quickly on a hot grill, in a skillet, or in the air fryer to revive the char and smoky flavor without drying out the meat.

Freezing. Freeze raw, marinated beef on the skewers (well wrapped) for up to 3 months, then thaw overnight in the fridge before grilling. Cooked suya can also be frozen, though the texture is best fresh.

Want More Skewer Recipes for Grilling?

• Yakitori Recipe (Japanese Grilled Chicken Skewers) - Bite-sized pieces of marinated chicken grilled on skewers.
• This Chicken Satay recipe ROCKS with juicy marinated chicken grilled to perfection and served with Thai-style peanut sauce.
• This traditional Kofta Kebab recipe is made with ground lamb or beef, fresh herbs, and bold spices.