Barbecue, or BBQ as it’s affectionately known, is a culinary art form celebrated worldwide. In the world, BBQ holds a special place in the hearts of many, offering a delicious fusion of flavors that tantalize the taste buds. From succulent meats to vibrant vegetables, BBQ recipes are a celebration of diverse flavors and traditions. Let’s explore some mouthwatering BBQ recipes you can try, that embody the essence of cuisine.
Understanding BBQ
BBQ is a vibrant tapestry woven from indigenous ingredients and cooking techniques. It blends local spices, marinades, and grilling methods to create dishes that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the country. The flavors are bold, the textures diverse, and the experience is always memorable.
Mouthwatering BBQ Recipes You Can Try
1. Grilled Suya
Suya is the crown jewel of BBQ. It’s a tantalizing skewered meat dish, typically made with beef, seasoned with a special spice blend, and grilled to perfection. Here’s a traditional Suya recipe to savor:
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs beef (sliced thinly)
- 1 cup groundnut powder (peanut powder)
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon ginger powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt to taste
- Skewers
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix groundnut powder, paprika, ginger, garlic, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt to create the Suya spice blend.
- Thread the thinly sliced beef onto skewers.
- Generously coat the beef skewers with the Suya spice blend, ensuring an even covering.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill the skewers for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally until the meat is cooked to your desired doneness.
- Serve hot with sliced onions, tomatoes, and Suya spice sprinkled on top.
2. Chicken Yassa BBQ
Originating from the Senegambia region, Chicken Yassa is a marinated chicken dish that has found its way into BBQ culture. Here’s a twist to the traditional Senegalese recipe:
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken thighs
- 2 onions (sliced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon ginger (minced)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 4 tablespoons lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix onions, garlic, ginger, chili powder, mustard, lemon juice, vegetable oil, salt, and pepper to create the marinade.
- Marinate the chicken thighs in the mixture for at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavor.
- Preheat the grill to medium heat.
- Grill the chicken thighs for about 6-8 minutes per side, or until fully cooked.
- Serve hot with a side of grilled vegetables or rice.
3. Fish Pepper Soup BBQ Style
For seafood lovers, Fish Pepper Soup can be transformed into a delightful BBQ dish that captures the essence of great flavors.
Ingredients:
- 2 whole tilapia fish (cleaned and gutted)
- 2 tablespoons ground crayfish
- 2 tablespoons pepper soup spice mix
- 2 tomatoes (chopped)
- 2 bell peppers (sliced)
- 1 onion (sliced)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Mix ground crayfish, pepper soup spice mix, tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, vegetable oil, and salt to create a marinade.
- Rub the marinade onto the tilapia fish, making sure to coat both sides.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill the fish for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until the flesh easily flakes with a fork.
- Serve hot with a side of spicy pepper sauce and grilled plantains.
4. Grilled Plantains
Plantains are a beloved ingredient in Africa cuisine, and when grilled to perfection, they make a fantastic accompaniment to any BBQ spread. Here’s a simple yet flavorful recipe for Grilled Plantains:
Ingredients:
- 4 ripe plantains (peeled and sliced)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
- Honey or maple syrup (for drizzling, optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat the grill to medium heat.
- Brush the plantain slices with vegetable oil and sprinkle with cinnamon if desired.
- Grill the plantains for 3-4 minutes per side, or until grill marks appear and they are tender.
- Remove from the grill and drizzle with honey or maple syrup for added sweetness if preferred.
- Serve hot as a side dish or dessert.
5. Spicy Grilled Corn on the Cob
Corn on the cob takes on a new dimension of flavor when grilled and seasoned with a spicy twist.
Ingredients:
- 4 ears of corn (husks removed)
- 4 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt to taste
- Lime wedges (for serving)
Instructions:
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- In a small bowl, mix melted butter, chili powder, smoked paprika, and salt.
- Brush the corn with the spicy butter mixture, ensuring it’s evenly coated.
- Grill the corn for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally until charred and cooked through.
- Serve hot with lime wedges for a burst of citrus flavor.
6. BBQ Asun: Spicy Grilled Goat Meat
Asun is a spicy grilled goat meat dish that packs a punch in terms of flavor. It’s a favorite at gatherings and celebrations.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs goat meat (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 onions (finely chopped)
- 3 tomatoes (chopped)
- 3 scotch bonnet peppers (chopped)
- 2 teaspoons curry powder
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- Salt to taste
- Chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions:
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- In a bowl, marinate the goat meat with vegetable oil, chopped onions, tomatoes, scotch bonnet peppers, curry powder, thyme, and salt. Allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Thread the marinated goat meat onto skewers.
- Grill the skewers for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally until the meat is cooked through and slightly charred.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped cilantro.
7. Grilled Vegetable Medley: A Colorful Addition
Vegetables take on a whole new dimension of flavor when kissed by the grill. This vibrant grilled vegetable medley complements the richness of BBQ meats perfectly:
Ingredients:
- 2 bell peppers (sliced)
- 2 zucchinis (sliced)
- 1 eggplant (sliced)
- 1 red onion (sliced)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
- In a bowl, toss sliced bell peppers, zucchinis, eggplant, and red onion with olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Preheat the grill to medium heat.
- Place the vegetables on the grill grates and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are tender and slightly charred.
- Remove from the grill and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
8. BBQ Chicken Suya Wraps
Turn the beloved Suya flavor into a portable, delightful meal with these BBQ Chicken Suya Wraps. They’re perfect for gatherings or a quick and satisfying lunch:
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 large tortillas or flatbreads
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 tomato (sliced)
- 1 cucumber (sliced)
- 1 red onion (sliced)
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Suya spice blend (from the Suya recipe mentioned earlier)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then generously coat them with the Suya spice blend.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill the chicken breasts for about 6-8 minutes per side or until they are cooked through.
- Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it into strips.
- Warm the tortillas or flatbreads on the grill for a minute on each side.
- Spread Greek yogurt or mayonnaise onto the warmed tortillas.
- Arrange the shredded lettuce, sliced tomato, cucumber, red onion, and grilled chicken strips on each tortilla.
- Roll up the tortillas into wraps, securing them with toothpicks if needed.
- Serve the BBQ Chicken Suya Wraps with extra Suya spice for added flavor.
9. BBQ Beef Short Ribs
Beef short ribs, when slow-cooked and grilled to perfection, offer a rich and succulent BBQ experience. Here’s a recipe to make these ribs the star of your BBQ feast:
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs beef short ribs
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix BBQ sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, paprika, black pepper, and salt to create the marinade.
- Place the beef short ribs in a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them, ensuring they are well-coated. Marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
- Preheat the grill to medium heat.
- Remove the ribs from the marinade and grill them for about 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally and basting with the leftover marinade, until they are caramelized and cooked to your desired level of doneness.
- Serve the BBQ Beef Short Ribs hot, garnished with chopped parsley or green onions.
10. Grilled Prawn Skewers:
Seafood lovers rejoice! These grilled prawn skewers are a flavorful addition to any BBQ spread and showcase the exquisite taste of prawns with delicious inspired seasoning:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb large prawns (peeled and deveined)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon ground crayfish
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 lemon (juiced)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Skewers
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix olive oil, minced garlic, ground crayfish, paprika, dried thyme, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to create a marinade.
- Thread the prawns onto skewers and brush them generously with the marinade, ensuring they are well-coated.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill the prawn skewers for about 2-3 minutes per side, until they turn pink and slightly charred.
- Remove from the grill and serve hot with additional lemon wedges for squeezing over the prawns.
11. BBQ Plantain Chips: Crunchy and Flavorful Snack
Transform ordinary plantains into a delightful snack with these BBQ plantain chips, a perfect accompaniment to your BBQ feast:
Ingredients:
- 3 ripe plantains
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Peel the plantains and slice them thinly using a mandoline or a sharp knife.
- In a bowl, toss the plantain slices with vegetable oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt until evenly coated.
- Preheat the grill to medium heat.
- Place the plantain slices on the grill grates and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Remove the BBQ plantain chips from the grill and let them cool slightly before serving.
12. Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges
Add a touch of sweetness and smokiness to your BBQ spread with these delicious Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges:
Ingredients:
- 2-3 large sweet potatoes (scrubbed and cut into wedges)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, toss sweet potato wedges with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Preheat the grill to medium heat.
- Place the sweet potato wedges on the grill grates and cook for about 5-7 minutes per side until they are tender and have grill marks.
- Remove the grilled sweet potato wedges from the grill and serve them hot as a flavorful side dish.
13. BBQ Chicken Wings
Chicken wings are a classic BBQ favorite, and when infused with flavors, they become a true sensation. Here’s a recipe for tantalizing BBQ Chicken Wings:
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs chicken wings
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix soy sauce, honey, vegetable oil, minced garlic, ground ginger, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper to create a marinade.
- Place the chicken wings in a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Ensure the wings are well coated and let them marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or ideally overnight.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Remove the chicken wings from the marinade and grill for about 8-10 minutes per side until they are cooked through and have a nice char.
- Once done, garnish the BBQ Chicken Wings with chopped cilantro for an added burst of freshness before serving.
14. BBQ Jollof Rice: A Flavorful Main Course
Jollof rice, a staplen and Ghanian cuisine, gets a smoky twist when prepared on the grill, making it a delightful main course for any BBQ gathering:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups long-grain parboiled rice
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the grill to medium heat.
- In a blender, combine diced tomatoes, chopped red bell pepper, onion, and minced garlic. Blend until smooth.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or pan suitable for grilling on the BBQ.
- Add the blended tomato mixture to the skillet and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens.
- Stir in paprika, thyme, curry powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Add the parboiled rice to the skillet and stir to coat it with the tomato mixture.
- Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth, cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid or foil, and place it on the grill.
- Grill the Jollof rice for about 25-30 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and has absorbed the liquid, stirring occasionally.
- Once done, fluff the rice with a fork and serve hot as a flavorful main course.
15. BBQ Plantain and Bean Stew
This flavorful stew combines the sweetness of plantains with savory beans in a BBQ-inspired sauce for a comforting meal:
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe plantains (peeled and chopped)
- 1 can (15 oz) black-eyed peas or red beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions:
- Heat vegetable oil in a pot or Dutch oven on the grill.
- Sauté chopped onions and minced garlic until they soften.
- Add tomato paste, smoked paprika, thyme, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in chopped plantains and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
- Add the black-eyed peas or red beans and vegetable or chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Cover the pot and let the stew cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally until the plantains are tender and the sauce thickens.
- Adjust seasoning to taste and serve the BBQ Plantain and Bean Stew hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
16. BBQ Spicy Lamb Chops: A Flavorful Delight
Indulge in the rich flavors of tender lamb chops infused with spicy seasonings:
Ingredients:
- 8 lamb chops
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix vegetable oil, tomato paste, paprika, curry powder, cayenne pepper, dried thyme, salt, and pepper to create a marinade.
- Coat the lamb chops with the marinade, ensuring they are thoroughly covered. Let them marinate for at least 1 hour, or longer for better flavor infusion.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill the lamb chops for about 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare, adjusting the time for preferred doneness.
- Serve the BBQ Spicy Lamb Chops hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Flavors of BBQ
BBQ recipes offer a splendid array of tastes and textures, bringing together bold spices, fresh ingredients, and a variety of cooking techniques. Whether it’s the innovative BBQ Beef Suya Salad or the comforting BBQ Plantain and Bean Stew, each dish represents the vibrant and diverse culinary landscape of Africa.
Feel free to experiment with these recipes, adjusting ingredients or spice levels to suit your preferences. Gather your loved ones, embrace the joy of outdoor cooking, and savor the delightful flavors of BBQ. Let these dishes ignite your passion for culinary exploration and create memorable experiences around the dinner table!
