Ghanaian Jollof Rice

Name: Ghanaian Jollof Rice
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Ghana
Ingredients: 4 cups long-grain rice, washed; 5 tomatoes, blended; 2 red bell peppers, blended; 2 scotch bonnet peppers, blended; 1 onion, blended, plus 1 sliced; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tsp curry powder; 2 sprigs fresh thyme; 2 bay leaves; 3 cups chicken stock

8 servings20 min prep50 min cookMedium Ghana

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Ghanaian Jollof Rice

Story updated September 17, 2026

Ghanaian jollof rice, like Nigeria's, descends from the Wolof rice dish of the Senegambia region, but Ghanaian cooks typically use long-grain rice and a distinct spice blend, giving it a different texture and flavor from its neighbors. The friendly, sometimes heated rivalry between Ghanaian and Nigerian jollof has become a beloved fixture of West African food culture.

Ingredients

Scale:· 8 servings

4 cups long-grain rice, washed
5 tomatoes, blended
2 red bell peppers, blended
2 scotch bonnet peppers, blended
1 onion, blended, plus 1 sliced
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp curry powder
2 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
3 cups chicken stock

Instructions

1Blend tomatoes, red bell peppers, scotch bonnet, and one onion into a smooth puree.
2Heat oil and fry sliced onion until soft, then stir in tomato paste and fry 5 minutes.
3Pour in the blended tomato mixture and simmer 20 minutes until thick and darkened, stirring often.
4Add curry powder, thyme, bay leaves, and chicken stock, then stir in the rice.
5Cover and cook on low heat 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice absorbs the sauce and is tender.
6Let sit covered off heat for 5 minutes before fluffing and serving.

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