Ogbono Soup

Name: Ogbono Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Nigerian
Ingredients: 1 cup ground ogbono seeds; 500g assorted beef; 150g stockfish, soaked and deboned; 1/4 cup palm oil; 3 cups chopped spinach or bitter leaf; 1 large onion, chopped; 2 tbsp ground crayfish; 2 scotch bonnet peppers; 2 bouillon cubes; Salt to taste; 2 cups meat stock

Ofe Ogbono (oh-GBOH-noh soop)

Wild Mango Seed Soup

⏱ Prep Time 50 min

📈 Difficulty Medium

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 490 kcal

A thick, viscous, and deeply savory soup made from ground wild mango seeds, creating a unique draw-like texture beloved across Nigeria.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 28.0g

Carbs 18.0g

Fat 34.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

dairy-free gluten-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ fish

Equipment Needed

large pot blender or mortar wooden spoon

Presentation Guide

Vessel: deep clay bowl

Garnishes: palm oil swirl

Accompaniments: pounded yam, fufu, eba

Ingredients

1 cup ground ogbono seeds
500g assorted beef
150g stockfish, soaked and deboned
1/4 cup palm oil
3 cups chopped spinach or bitter leaf
1 large onion, chopped
2 tbsp ground crayfish
2 scotch bonnet peppers
2 bouillon cubes
Salt to taste
2 cups meat stock

Instructions

1
Season and boil assorted beef until tender. Reserve the stock.
2
Heat palm oil in a pot over low heat. Add ground ogbono seeds and stir continuously for 5 minutes until dissolved.
3
Gradually add meat stock while stirring to prevent lumps.
4
Add chopped onion, scotch bonnet peppers, crayfish, and bouillon cubes. Simmer for 15 minutes.
5
Add cooked meat and stockfish. Cook for 10 minutes.
6
Stir in chopped spinach, cook 5 minutes until wilted. Serve hot with fufu or pounded yam.

💡

Did You Know?

The "draw" (stretchy, mucilaginous texture) of ogbono soup is considered a sign of quality — the more it draws, the better the cook.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large pot
blender or mortar
wooden spoon

Garnishing

palm oil swirl

Accompaniments

pounded yam, fufu, eba

The Story Behind Ogbono Soup

Ogbono soup originates from the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria, where wild mango trees (Irvingia gabonensis) grow abundantly. The seed was traditionally ground on stone and has been a prized ingredient in Nigerian cooking for generations.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed lunch or dinner 📜 Origins: Traditional Igbo cuisine

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