Main Course · African · Dinner ·

Nigerian Egusi Soup with Spinach and Melon Seeds

Name: Nigerian Egusi Soup with Spinach and Melon Seeds
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 2 cups egusi (melon seeds), ground; 1/2 cup water; 500g beef, cut into bite-sized pieces; 200g assorted meats, tripe and cow skin, cleaned and chopped; 1 medium onion, chopped; 2 cups beef stock; 500g fresh spinach, washed and chopped; 1 large red bell pepper, chopped; 1 green chili, chopped; 1/4 cup palm oil; Salt, to taste; 1 teaspoon ground crayfish; 2 bouillon cubes

This hearty Nigerian soup combines ground melon seeds with spinach for a savory, satisfying dish that's enjoyed with various sides.

4.9(177 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·July 30, 2025

Nigerian Egusi Soup with Spinach and Melon Seeds — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

Egusi Paste

Soup Base

Vegetables

Additional Ingredients

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 656 kcal
Protein: 40.8 g
Carbs: 9.8 g
Fat: 50.8 g
Fiber: 4.3 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 3935 kcal
Protein: 245 g
Carbs: 59 g
Fat: 305 g
Fiber: 26 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
2 cups egusi (melon seeds) ground	1456	52	12	132	8
1/2 cup water	0	0	0	0	0
500g beef cut into bite-sized pieces	1430	128	0	102	0
200g assorted meats tripe and cow skin, cleaned and chopped	280	40	0	14	0
1 medium onion chopped	44	1	10	0	2
2 cups beef stock	30	4	0	0	0
500g fresh spinach washed and chopped	115	14	20	2	12
1 large red bell pepper chopped	43	1	10	0	3
1 green chili chopped	18	1	4	0	1
1/4 cup palm oil	480	0	0	54	0
Salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0
1 teaspoon ground crayfish	15	2	0	0	0
2 bouillon cubes	24	2	3	1	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Meat

1
Season Meat
Season the beef and assorted meats with salt and bouillon cubes.
2
Rest
Allow to rest while preparing other ingredients.
3
Sauté Onion
Sauté the onion in palm oil until translucent for depth of flavor.
Tip: Ensure the palm oil is well-heated to prevent a greasy soup.

Preparing the Egusi Paste

1
Mix Egusi Paste
Mix ground egusi with water to form a thick paste.
2
Portion Paste
Divide into small portions for easy incorporation.
3
Optional Roasting
Roast portions briefly for nuttiness if desired.
Tip: Finely grind the melon seeds for a smoother paste.

How to Make Nigerian Egusi Soup with Spinach and Melon Seeds

Total time: 2 h · Yields 6 servings

1
Searing the Meat
Brown the seasoned meats in a large pot for added richness.
2
Building the Base
Add beef stock, bring to a simmer, and simmer until meat is tender.
3
Incorporating the Egusi
Stir in the egusi paste in small batches to prevent clumping.