Jollof Rice: Origins, Ingredients and West Africa’s Famous Rivalry

Jollof rice is a popular one-pot dish made with rice, tomatoes, tomato paste, onions, chilli peppers, cooking oil and spices. Depending on the recipe, it may be served with chicken, turkey, beef, fish or seafood, alongside vegetables such as carrots, cabbage or green peas. The dish is prepared by cooking rice in a richly seasoned tomato sauce. Common additions include garlic, ginger, thyme, curry powder, bay leaves, stock and bell peppers. Recipes differ across homes and countries, with cooks choosing long-grain, parboiled, broken or short-grain rice. Jollof has roots in Senegal and is enjoyed across West Africa. Its regional versions have inspired the friendly “Jollof Wars,” especially the long-running debate between Nigerian and Ghanaian jollof lovers.

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