Liberian Pepper Soup

Name: Liberian Pepper Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Liberia
Ingredients: 1kg goat meat or fish, cubed; 1 onion, chopped; 2 tomatoes, chopped; 1 scotch bonnet pepper; 1 tsp ground ginger; 1 tsp black pepper; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp pepper soup spice blend (or ground calabash nutmeg and cloves); Salt to taste

Photo: bob walker, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

6 servings15 min prep45 min cookEasy Liberia

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Liberian Pepper Soup

Story updated September 17, 2026

Pepper soup is a fiery, broth-based tradition shared across West Africa, and Liberia's version, built on goat meat or fish with hot pepper and local spices, has no single documented inventor. It's the kind of dish cooked for gatherings and given to the sick, valued as much for comfort as flavor.

Ingredients

Scale:· 6 servings

1kg goat meat or fish, cubed
1 onion, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 scotch bonnet pepper
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp pepper soup spice blend (or ground calabash nutmeg and cloves)
Salt to taste

Instructions

1Place the meat in a large pot with the chopped onion, garlic, ginger, and enough water to cover.
2Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, skimming any foam that rises to the surface.
3Add the chopped tomatoes, whole scotch bonnet pepper, black pepper, and pepper soup spice blend.
4Continue simmering until the meat is tender and the broth is deeply flavored, about 30-40 minutes for goat, less for fish.
5Adjust the heat level by pressing on the scotch bonnet pepper with a spoon to release more spice, or remove it for a milder soup.
6Season with salt to taste.
7Skim any excess fat from the surface if desired.
8Serve hot in bowls as a warming starter or light meal, often with a side of rice.

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