Jollof rice is a perfect dish on its own, but it’s also versatile and can be paired with various side dishes to elevate the taste and eating experience.
In this article, you’ll discover 9 delicious sides you can pair with jollof rice to get that authentic African jollof feel and take your mealtime experience to another level.
Let’s dive in!
1. Dodo
Dodo, also known as fried sweet plantains, makes an amazing side for jollof rice as it's almost always served with it. This combination of jollof rice and dodo is a delicious one that'll leave you wanting more.
The sweet taste from the ripe plantains, sliced and slightly salted, then deep fried in hot oil until both sides turn golden brown, elevates the taste of your jollof rice.
Interestingly, the entire process of frying gets done in about 10-15 minutes, so you can enjoy this sweet, savory, and spicy combination.
2. Boiled Eggs
Boiled eggs make a delicious partner for a well-cooked and seasoned plate of jollof rice.
Depending on how you love your eggs (hard-boiled or soft-boiled), this combination will leave your taste buds dancing in excitement.
Scooping up a spoonful of jollof rice with runny yolks over it is such a delicious explosion in your mouth.
You only need eggs and water in a saucepan.
Place your eggs in the saucepan with water in it and boil for 7 minutes if you love your eggs soft-boiled. This way, the egg whites are fully cooked, but the yolk stays runny.
If you love hard-boiled eggs, boil yours for longer before removing from heat.
3. Grilled Fish/Chicken
This side is a perfect way to add extra smokiness to your jollof rice dish. The rich, smoky flavor from the jollof rice and the charred flavor from the grill is one you want to experience.
It's filling and comforting, one you'd always want to make in your free time.
Marinate your protein of choice (chicken or fish) in a tasty marinade and grill until it's done. Mackerel or tilapia fish are a great option when it comes to pairing fish with jollof rice.
4. Moin-Moin
Made from beans, this delicious side is a main dish on its own, and it is enjoyed by Nigerians. Also, it makes a really tasty side for jollof rice, one combination that most people look forward to at events and gatherings.
Moin-Moin is made with a blend of peeled beans, scotch bonnet peppers, and lots of onions as it gives it a sweet taste.
The peeled beans are left to soak in water before being blended alongside peppers and onions, vegetable oil, and seasoned with salt and seasoning cubes (optional).
It is usually made by scooping the batter into moimoi leaves and carefully arranging them in a pot, allowing it to steam for 30-45 minutes before it can be enjoyed.
Moin-moin is delicious and nutritious; you need to give it a try.
5. Red Red (Ghanaian Bean Stew)
This Ghanaian Bean Stew is hearty, tasty, and makes a flavorful pair with jollof rice. You can say this stew was made for jollof rice, as it also has a reddish/orange hue, similar to that of jollof rice.
Red Red is made by simmering black-eyed peas or red beans alongside smoked ham or turkey in tomato sauce. It uses spices like ginger and garlic and lots of cayenne pepper for heat.
Additionally, it's usually served with plantains (roasted or fried), and this, with jollof rice, is nothing like you've ever tasted before.
6. Coleslaw
Jollof rice with moin-moin, fried plantains, and coleslaw are a favorite, especially in Nigeria.
Sweet, crunchy, and creamy, coleslaw makes the perfect addition to a spicy plate of jollof rice.
The basic recipe uses thinly shredded cabbage and carrots, soaked in a dressing made from the combination of mayonnaise, sugar, and a dash of vinegar or lemon juice.
For mine, I add a bit of canned green peas and sweet corn for added crunch before leaving it to cool in the refrigerator.
I'd advise you to make your slaw first before making your jollof rice, as this will give it more time to soak in all of the delicious dressing.
Dish your rice and have your slaw by the side.... delicious goodness!
7. Steamed or Roasted Vegetables
Having a side of steamed or roasted veggies with your jollof rice is a great way to add extra nutrients to your meal.
Carrots, runner beans, or sweet potatoes are a good example of delicious veggies you can have as a side for your jollof rice.
8. Suya
If you're a lover of meat and you're tired of having jollof rice with the regular fried beef, opt for this spicy, yet delicious suya side. Suya is a native Nigerian street snack, native to the Hausa.
It is made from beef, marinated in a mix made from ground groundnuts or kulikuli, dried ginger and garlic powder, dry chili peppers, onion powder, smoked paprika, and seasoning cubes.
All of these ingredients (powdered form) are combined in a bowl with little vegetable oil added and then used to marinate the beef before being carefully arranged onto a skewer and grilled until done.
This delicious side is easy to make and gets done in about 10 minutes or less (this is exclusive of the marinating period).
Suya and jollof rice embody a balance of flavors as the bold and char flavors of suya go well with the bursting flavors of jollof rice.
9. Fried Fish or Beef
Pairing jollof rice with fried beef or fish is a staple in the Nigerian food culture. It requires minimal effort, but it delivers greatly on taste, intensifying the flavors of jollof rice.
Especially if you're pairing your jollof rice with fried mackerel fish.
For beef, you only need to season and boil your beef until tender before frying it in hot oil. If using fish, you need to cut and gut your fish, season with salt, and fry as desired.
Serve and enjoy.
Conclusion
In West Africa, people garnish their jollof rice with various side dishes to have a full eating experience.
These 9 options listed above are more than enough to help you insert variety into your jollof rice.
And if you need extra help in cooking the perfect jollof rice every time without wasting time or getting it wrong, check out our collection of the finest authentic jollof sauce to elevate your cooking from beginner to pro in no time.