Egusi Soup

Name: Egusi Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Cameroonian
Ingredients: 1 cup ground egusi (melon) seeds; 300g beef, cubed; 150g smoked fish, deboned; 200g spinach or bitter leaf, chopped; 1/4 cup palm oil; 1 large onion, chopped; 2 scotch bonnet peppers; 2 tbsp ground crayfish; 2 bouillon cubes; Salt to taste; 2 cups meat stock

Egusi (eh-GOO-see)

Melon Seed Soup

⏱ Prep Time 50 min

📈 Difficulty Medium

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 484 kcal

A thick, hearty soup of ground melon seeds cooked with leafy greens, smoked fish, and palm oil, a staple across Cameroon's diverse ethnic communities.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 24.0g

Carbs 16.0g

Fat 36.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

dairy-free gluten-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ fish

Equipment Needed

large pot blender wooden spoon

Presentation Guide

Vessel: deep bowl

Garnishes: palm oil swirl

Accompaniments: fufu, bobolo, garri

Ingredients

1 cup ground egusi (melon) seeds
300g beef, cubed
150g smoked fish, deboned
200g spinach or bitter leaf, chopped
1/4 cup palm oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 scotch bonnet peppers
2 tbsp ground crayfish
2 bouillon cubes
Salt to taste
2 cups meat stock

Instructions

1
Season and boil beef until tender. Reserve the stock.
2
Heat palm oil in a pot, sauté chopped onion until soft.
3
Add ground egusi seeds and stir continuously for 5-7 minutes until the seeds form clumps and absorb the oil.
4
Gradually add meat stock while stirring to prevent lumps. Simmer 15 minutes.
5
Add scotch bonnet peppers, crayfish, bouillon cubes, cooked beef, and smoked fish. Cook 10 minutes.
6
Stir in chopped greens and cook 5 minutes until wilted. Serve with fufu or bobolo.

💡

Did You Know?

Every Cameroonian cook has their own ratio of egusi to liquid, and getting the thickness exactly right is considered a point of pride.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large pot
blender
wooden spoon

Garnishing

palm oil swirl

Accompaniments

fufu, bobolo, garri

The Story Behind Egusi Soup

Egusi soup is shared across West and Central Africa, and Cameroon's version reflects the country's unique spice preferences and vegetable combinations. It has been a dietary staple for centuries, providing protein and healthy fats from the melon seeds.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed lunch or dinner 📜 Origins: Ancient West African tradition

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