Easy Nigerian Goat Meat Pepper Soup Recipe

In Nigeria, there are so many wonderful delicacies that would have you engrossed and almost biting your fingers from delight. 

Goat meat peppersoup is one of the most popular Nigerian comfort foods. There are also other classic Nigerina pepper soups made with assorted meat like shaki, goat meat, cow meat or even chicken meat. Also there are seafood versions like the popular catfish pepper soup.

This soup can be served as a first course, especially in restaurants and at Nigerian parties. Once you have decided on your choice of protein, all you need is the right combination of spices, water and some local herbs like “scent leaf”.

As a beginner or someone trying to sharpen your cooking skills, this article will help you understand just how to achieve that mouth-watering delicacy.

Ingredients For Goat Meat Pepper Soup Recipe

• 1kg Goat Meat or according to desired quantity
• Onions
• 3 thinly sliced Scotch bonnet
• 1 Teaspoon Dried Ginger
• 2 Cloves Garlic
• Red bell peppers
• 4 fresh Scent leaves or basil, finely chopped
• Utazi leaves (optional)
• Pepper soup spice mix
• 2 Teaspoons Ground crayfish
• Calabash nutmeg (ehuru)
• Uziza seeds (optional)
• Stock or seasoning cubes
• Salt to taste
• Paprika (for color)
• Water

Step-By-Step Recipe and On How To Prepare The Nigerian Goat Meat Pepper Soup

Now that the ingredients have been listed, this step-by-step guide will help you prepare this delicacy even at home. This method works for goat meat, chicken, and assorted meat. Ensure to adjust according to your desired taste and dietary needs.

Step 1: Wash and Prepare Protein

Rinse meat or fish properly. Goat meat/beef. Remove unnecessary fat, rinse well. For catfish, pour hot water on it for a few seconds and rinse to remove slime. Cut up the protein into medium bite-size slices, and add the protein to a clean pot.

Step 2: Season Protein

Add your chopped or puréed onions into the well-washed protein. Add your seasoning cubes, salt and a pinch of grated ginger and/or garlic if using these ingredients. Mix the protein well to coat completely and marinate. Add your chopped or pureed onions into the well washed protein.

Step 3: Start Cooking Your Protein

After marinating, put the pot on medium heat. Water is not added at this point if meat is being cooked. The meat is allowed to drip its juices to make it more flavorful. 

Add a small amount of water to the meat to avoid burning. Let it simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on what protein you are using.

Step 4: Add Water & Pepper Soup Spices

Once your protein has simmered well enough, add enough water to make broth after having simmered the protein. Add pepper soup spice mix and more onions if desired. Stir and let the soup boil.

Step 5: Let the Flavours Develop

Now, you allow the soup to cook until the protein is soft. Goat meat can take 45 minutes to 1 hour. The chicken requires 20–30 minutes to cook. The catfish requires 12 to 15 minutes. Add flavor to taste.

Step 6: Add Optional Ingredients

If you want some extra flavor or a unique taste, you can include extra ginger or garlic, uziza seeds and a small splash of palm oil to make an alternative version. Allow it to cook for another 5 minutes.

Step 7: Add Scent Leaves

Reduce the heat or make it low. Add the scentleaves and stir gently. Let it simmer for 2 minutes to allow the unique scent of leaf aroma to emanate.
Now your pepper soup is ready. It can be served steaming hot with boiled yam or rice or enjoyed on its own in the broth style. Serve hot and enjoy

^{Reasons Why You Will Like The Nigerian Goat Meat Pepper Soup}

• It is healthy and filled with medicinal spices and herbs.
• Nigerian pepper soup is made of natural spices that are rich in nutrients and aroma. These are the traditional ingredients that make the soup not only appetizing but healthy as well.
• In most African cultures, it is very appreciated as far as postpartum healing is concerned.
• Pepper soup is one of the soups that is usually prescribed to new mothers by the Igbo and other communities. The natural herbs and spices are considered to aid in healing and assist the body to recover the strength after childbirth.
• It is easy to make it into a complete meal.
• The soup is filled by the addition of ingredients such as yam to make it more fulfilling. This makes it not a light broth but a hearty meal which can be served at lunch or dinner.
• It is novice friendly and this is uncomplicated to make.
• Pepper soup is a good dish to begin with, even when you are new to cooking meals of the Nigerian cuisine. You will be able to make the same great flavor again with simple instructions and an excellent mix of spices.
• The taste is rich, fragrant and very comforting.
• A blend of the local spices with fresh herbs and protein that has been perfectly cooked generates a hug in a bowl dish that is warm and delicious.
• Pepper soup is popular in the whole of Nigeria and it is hardly rejected. It is a dish full of beautiful memories as it is enjoyed by many households on cold evenings, celebrations or family gatherings.
• You may prepare a big pot and divide it into containers and freeze it. It re-warms quite well, and is made into a handy comfort meal on hectic days or when the weather is cold.