Egusi Soup with Spinach and Groundnut

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich, nutty soup featuring ground melon seeds, fresh spinach, and a savory groundnut base, traditionally served with fufu. This Nigerian-inspired soup recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 45 minutes, pairs ground egusi seeds, fresh spinach, groundnut paste for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Nigerian cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat vegetable oil in a pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing for 2 minutes until golden and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add chicken breast and cook for 5 minutes until lightly browned on all sides, then stir in scotch bonnet peppers and cook for 1 minute.
  3. Step 3: Pour in chicken stock and bring to a gentle simmer. Add ground egusi seeds, stirring constantly until seeds thicken the mixture (about 4 minutes).
  4. Step 4: Stir in groundnut paste and cook for 8 minutes, stirring frequently until soup coats the back of a spoon.
  5. Step 5: Add spinach and simmer for 3 more minutes until spinach wilts and turns bright green. Serve hot with cooked fufu.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Egusi Soup with Spinach and Groundnut take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (25 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Egusi Soup with Spinach and Groundnut?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground egusi seeds from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Egusi Soup with Spinach and Groundnut?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Egusi Soup with Spinach and Groundnut for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Egusi Soup with Spinach and Groundnut vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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