Last Updated 12/07/2020

Looking for Nigerian vegetable soup recipe? 

You're in the right place because in this post, you'll discover 5 unique Nigerian vegetable soup recipes from different regions in Nigeria.

Let's start from the top

Efo Riro (Yoruba Style Vegetable Soup Recipe)

Efo-riro is popular and known as the Vegetable soup amongst the Yoruba people of Nigeria. It is originally made with either “Efo tete” (Spinach) or  Soko leaves. Although waterleaf (or “Gure” in youruba language) can also be added. Here's how to make Efo riro:

Efo-riro Recipe

Recipe by Fitnigerian

This Efo riro recipe is made with “Soko” leaves.

4.7 Star Rating 

efo-riro-recipe

Category:
Soup

Method:
Cooked 

Cuisine:
Nigerian

Serves
8 people

Prep Time
10 Min

Total Time
55 Min

Ingredients:
  • A Bunch of Soko leaves
  • 2 Chicken (shredded)
  • 3 Gizzard (cut in bits)
  •  1 Dry fish
  • 3 Teaspoons of Grounded Crayfish
  • 4 Red Bell Peppers
  • 2-3 Scotch Bonnet Pepper (Ata-rodo)
  •  2 Medium-sized Tomatoes
  • 2 large onion
  • A Hand-full of Locust Beans (Iru)
  • 2 Tablespoons of Palm oil
  •  2 Maggi Cubes
  • 1 teaspoon of Ginger
  • Chilli Powder to Taste
  • Salt to Taste
  • Chicken stock
  • Water 
Directions: 
  1. 1
    Buy Soko leaves from the market, pick, cut and then wash
Soko leaves
Cut Soko leaves
  1. 2
    Afterwards, you boil water enough to blanch your already picked soko vegetables. The process of blanching is simply adding salt and hot water to your vegetables, you soak for a short while, sieve out the water and then squeeze enough to remove any excess water left.
Blanched Soko leaves
  1. 3
    Get your pepper blend ready; that is by blending 4 red bell peppers, 2-3 scotch bonnet (Ata-rodo) pepper, 2 medium-sized tomatoes with 1 large onion. After blending, you boil till all the water is drained.
  2. 4
    Chop the other large onions and set aside.
  3. 5
    In a saucepan or pot, heat up your oil and sauté your chopped onions till it’s translucent then add your pepper blend and fry till the oil bubbles to the top.
Fried pepper blend
  1. 6
    Add a little of your beef/chicken stock and allow to simmer then add your locust beans (iru) and everything you have prepared for garnishing. In my case, I used shredded chicken and gizzard.
  2. 7
    A little bit of your stock can still be added and/or water and add your seasonings if needed.
  1. 6
    At this stage, the Soko leaves can be introduced.
pepper blend with soko leaves
 Vegetable Soup Recipe
  1. 6
    Allow to simmer for about 5-10 minutes and put off heat. Allow to cool and serve with swallow of choice.
Video: 
Notes: 
  • You can replace Soko leaves with “Efo tete” (Spinach) in this recipe
  • You can use waterleaf in the recipe as additional vegetable.
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Ofe Ugu (Igbo Style Vegetable Soup Recipe)

This vegetable soup is made with Pumpkin leaf; that is “Ugwu”. It's a more common way of making vegetable soup in the east side of Nigeria. Here's how to make ofe ugu:

Ofe Ugu Recipe

Recipe by Fitnigerian

This vegetable soup recipe is made using Ugwu.

4.5 Star Rating 

ugwu-soup-recipe

Category:
Soup

Method:
Cooked

Cuisine:
Nigerian

Serves
6 people

Prep Time
5 Min

Total Time
25 Min

Ingredients:
  • 1 bowl of Ugwu (Pumpkin leaves)
  • 6 pieces of Cow Foot
  • 10 medium pieces of Ponmo (Cow skin)
  • 8 medium pieces of Beef
  • 10 pieces of Cow stomach (Shaki)
  • 1 Stock fish
  • 1 Dried fish
  • 1 large onions
  • 2 tablespoons of Palm oil
  • Coco yam paste
  • ½ cup of ground crayfish
  • Seasoning cube(s) to taste
  • Salt to taste.
Directions: 
  1. 1
    Buy your beef, cow foot, Shaki, stock fish and ponmo from the market and wash properly, removing every dirt and inedibles.
  2. 2
    Then, you place in a pot all your assorted meats and bring to a boil with water that’s on the same level with your meat. Season well with your seasoning cubes, onions and salt
  3. 3
    Make sure the meats are done properly by checking if it’s soft and you would notice that the liquid (beef stock) has reduced drastically
  4. 4
    when your meats is done properly, add your palm oil and let it simmer for about 7 minutes so that the palm oil is well incorporated in the beef stock.
  5. 5
    Add your dried fish and let it boil till it’s soft after which you add your cocoyam paste to thicken the soup. Add your crayfish and check for seasoning; add if necessary.
  6. 6
    Then you add your ugwu leaves after properly picking, cutting and washing it (you wash your ugwu with salt and warm water). Allow it simmer for about 5 minutes after which you put off the heat.
  7. 7
    Serve with fufu, pounded yam or any swallow of choice.
Video: 
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Edikang Ikong (Calabar Style Vegetable Soup Recipe)

Fun facts: Edikang Ikong literally means "vegetable soup" when translated into English. 

This is a popular delicacy from the Calabar people of Nigeria. Here's how to make Edikang Ikong:

Edikang Ikong Recipe

Recipe by Fitnigerian

This vegetable soup recipe is made using Ikong Ubong (pumpkin leaves or ugwu) and waterleaf.

4.9 Star Rating 

Edikang Ikong Recipe

Category:
Soup

Method:
Cooked

Cuisine:
Nigerian

Serves
6 people

Prep Time
20 Min

Total Time
1H 5 Min

Ingredients:
  • 4 medium bunches of pumpkin leaves (Ikong Ubong)
  • 2 medium cups of waterleaf
  • 6 medium pieces of Ponmo (Cow skin)
  • 8 medium pieces of Beef
  • 1 medium-sized Smoked fish
  • 1 small size stock fish head
  • 2 medium-size yellow Scotch Bonnet blended pepper
  • 2 tablespoons of Palm oil
  • 1 cup of ground crayfish
  • Chilli powder to taste [optional]
  • Seasoning cube(s) to taste
  • Salt to taste.
  • 4 cups of water
Directions: 
  1. 1
    In a large pot, season and put to a boil your beef and stockfish head. Add water enough to get to the level of your beef..
  2. 2
    After a while, add your cow skin and smoked fish and cook till soft.
  3. 3
    By now, you should be left with a little stock as the beef should have absorbed most of the water. Add your palm oil and let it simmer for about 7 minutes.
  4. 4
    Then, add your blended yellow rodo pepper, chilli powder and grounded crayfish. Stir and allow to boil for about 10 minutes.
  5. 5
    Add your shredded waterleaf, lower heat and let it steam for about 2 minutes. Check for seasoning and add if needed.
  6. 6
    Then add your pumpkin leaves (ikong ubong), cover pot and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
  7. 7
    Stir and taste for salt. Simmer for a couple of minutes and remove from heat.
  8. 8
    Serve with fufu, eba, pounded yam or any swallow of choice.
Video: 
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Afang Soup ( Ibibio Style Vegetable Soup Recipe)

This delicious vegetable soup hails from Ibibio, Efik speaking parts of Nigeria. It is made with water leaves and Afang leaves. Here's how to make Afang soup:

Afang Soup Recipe

Recipe by Fitnigerian

This vegetable soup recipe is made using  Afang leaves and Waterleaf.

4.5 Star Rating 

Afang-soup-recipe

Category:
Soup

Method:
Cooked

Cuisine:
Nigerian

Serves
8 people

Prep Time
20 Min

Total Time
1H 20 Min

Ingredients:
  • 1 medium bunch of shredded Afang leaves
  • 5 small bunches of waterleaf (shredded)
  • 10 medium pieces of Ponmo (Cow skin)
  • 8 pieces of Beef
  • 1 Smoked fish
  • 1 stock fish head
  • 2 cups of periwinkle
  • 4 large fresh pepper
  • ½ cup of Palm oil
  • 4 tablespoon of ground crayfish
  • 1 tablespoon Dry pepper [optional]
  • Seasoning cube(s) to taste
  • Salt to taste.
  • 2½ litres of water
Directions: 
  1. 1
    In a large pot, season your beef with seasoning cube(s), salt and dry pepper.
  2. 2
    While on medium heat, add 1 Litre of water, stockfish head, cow skin and cook for about 20 minutes or till all is tender. At this point, almost all the stock would be absorbed by the meat, left with just a little.
  3. 3
    Pound or Blend your Afang leaves till finely shredded then pick, wash and chop your water leaves.
  4. 4
    Add the smoked fish, periwinkle and the remaining water to the pot containing your assorted meat and season with crayfish. Check for salt
  5. 5
    Allow to boil for about 5 minutes
  6. 6
    Add your palm oil and let it simmer for about 7 minutes
  7. 7
    Then add your water leaves, stir and cover pot. Let it cook for about 5 minutes
  8. 8
    Add your Afang leaves and stir thoroughly. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes. Taste for seasoning and add if necessary.
  9. 9
    Remove from heat. Serve with Fufu, Pounded yam or any swallow of choice.
Video: 
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Gure Oloboro ( Abeokuta Style Vegetable Soup Recipe)

This delicacy is a native from Abeokuta and from there the name “Gure Oloboro” was given which just means making waterleaf the only vegetable in the soup. Here's how to make Gure Oloboro:

Gure Oloboro Recipe

Recipe by Fitnigerian

This vegetable soup recipe is made using  waterleaf.

4.5 Star Rating 

Gure Oloboro Recipe

Category:
Soup

Method:
Cooked

Cuisine:
Nigerian

Serves
2 people

Prep Time
10 Min

Total Time
40 Min

Ingredients:
  • 1 small bunch of waterleaf
  • 6 Medium Pieces Of Beef
  • 1 smoked fish
  • 3 tablespoons of ground crayfish
  • 3 medium red bell pepper
  • 2 scotch bonnet (Atarodo) pepper
  • 2 medium tomatoes [optional]
  • 1 medium bulb of onion
  • 2 tablespoons of Palm oil
  • A handful of Iru pete
  • Seasoning cube(s) to taste
  • Salt to taste.
  • water
Directions: 

Because of the water content of waterleaf (hence its name) and the tendency to become slimy and slippery, in order to make it a vegetable, the water content from the vegetable has to be drained first in the four steps:

  1. 1
    In a large pot, season and put to a boil your beef and stockfish head. Add water After shredding your waterleaf in smaller bits and washing, place in a pot and put on medium to low heat.
  2. 2
    Stir for the water content in the vegetable to come out.
  3. 3
    Keep stirring till all is out and the heat drains it all
  4. 4
    After it’s been rid of its water content, squeeze carefully and place in a bowl ready to be used in cooking.
  5. 5
    Wash your peppers and onion and blend to form your pepper blend. Place on a medium to high heat till all the liquid in the blend has been drained.
  6. 6
    Season with bouillon cube(s), pour enough water and place your beef on medium heat till it’s tender/soft.
  7. 7
    Soak your smoked fish in saltwater to remove every dirt then place in a clean bowl
  8. 8
    In a large pot under medium heat, pour your palm oil and sauté the remaining onion till it’s translucent.
  9. 9
    Pour your pepper blend and fry till oil bubbles on top. Add your Iru pete 
  10. 10
     Add your beef stock and check for seasoning. Adjust if necessary.
  11. 11
     Add your beef and smoked fish and stir into the mixture. Add your ground crayfish and stir. Allow to simmer for about 2 minutes.
  12. 12
     Stir in your waterleaf and let it simmer for 2minutes then take off the heat.
  13. 13
     Allow to cool. Serve with Pounded yam, Semo or Eba.
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Related Recipe

Frequently Asked Questions About Vegetable Soups

Here are the frequently asked questions and answers about vegetables and vegetable soup recipes: 

What’s another name for Waterleaf?

Another name for Waterleaf is “Malabar spinach”.

What can be used in place of Waterleaf?

Lamb’s leaf lettuce can be used in place of waterleaf.

How do you cut waterleaf?

You cut from the tender stems, you assemble together and shred in smaller bits with a knife.

Is waterleaf spinach?

Waterleaf is not spinach. In Yoruba, waterleaf is “Gure” and in Calabar called “Malabar spinach”.

What can be substituted for Afang leaves in making Afang soup?

Afang leaves can’t be substituted in making Afang soup. You might have a problem locating it at African stores because it’s also called “Okazi”, “Eru” leaves. You can ask around with either of those names.

What can be substituted for Afang leaves in making Afang soup?

Afang leaves can’t be substituted in making Afang soup. You might have a problem locating it at African stores because it’s also called “Okazi”, “Eru” leaves. You can ask around with either of those names.

What is spinach in Igbo?

Spinach in Igbo is called Nchanwu.

What is the local name for spinach?

In Yoruba, Spinach is “Efo tete” and “Nchanwu” in Igbo.

What is Ugu called in English?

Ugu in English is called Pumpkin leaves.

Is Ugwu a spinach?

Ugwu is not spinach. Ugwu is called Pumpkin leaves.

What is spinach in Igbo?

Spinach in Igbo is called Nchanwu.

I’m a vegetarian. Can I make those soups without meat?

Yes, you can. You can make it exactly in the same way without meat although you would have to find a replacement to meat. Mushrooms might do the trick.

Summary

Vegetable Soup Recipe (5 Unique Types) - FitNigerian

Looking for Nigerian vegetable soup recipe? You're in the right place because in this post, you'll discover 5 unique Nigerian vegetable soup recipes from different regions in Nigeria.

Type: Soup

Cuisine: Nigerian

Recipe Yield: 8 Servings

Calories: 221.6

Preparation Time: PT10M

Cooking Time: PT45M

Total Time: PT55M

Recipe Ingredients:

  • Soko leaves/Spinach
  • Ugu
  • Pepper Blend
  • Crayfish
  • Smoked fish
  • Seasoning cubes
  • Palm oil
  • Onion
  • Locust beans

Editor's Rating:
4.7

Now Its Your Turn

There you have it 5 different Nigerian Vegetable soups. Let me know in the comments which one you'll be trying first.

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