Skoudehkaris (Djiboutian Spiced Rice and Meat)

Name: Skoudehkaris (Djiboutian Spiced Rice and Meat)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Djibouti
Ingredients: 2 lb goat or beef, cubed; 3 cups basmati rice, rinsed; 2 onions, sliced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp grated ginger; 2 tomatoes, chopped; 1 tbsp xawaash (Somali/Djiboutian spice blend); 4 cups water or stock; 3 tbsp oil

6 servings20 min prep50 min cookMedium Djibouti

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Skoudehkaris (Djiboutian Spiced Rice and Meat)

Story updated September 17, 2026

Skoudehkaris, a spiced rice and meat dish similar to biryani and pilaf, reflects Djibouti's position at the crossroads of the Horn of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and Indian Ocean trade routes, which brought rice and warming spices like cardamom and cinnamon into local cooking. It's a festive dish often served at gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale:· 6 servings

2 lb goat or beef, cubed
3 cups basmati rice, rinsed
2 onions, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp grated ginger
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 tbsp xawaash (Somali/Djiboutian spice blend)
4 cups water or stock
3 tbsp oil

Instructions

1Heat oil in a heavy pot and brown the meat on all sides.
2Add onions and cook until softened, then add garlic and ginger and cook 2 minutes.
3Stir in xawaash spice blend and tomatoes and cook until the tomatoes break down.
4Add water or stock, bring to a boil, cover, and simmer 30 minutes until the meat is tender.
5Stir in the rinsed rice, cover, and cook on low heat 18-20 minutes until the liquid is absorbed.
6Let rest 5 minutes, fluff with a fork, and serve hot.

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