Ghanaian Bean and Rice Breakfast Pot

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-07 · Updated 2026-08-07

Waakye is a beloved Ghanaian breakfast dish of rice and beans cooked together, served with spicy accompaniments and rich flavors. This African-inspired recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, combines long grain rice, water, salt into a breakfast that fuels the morning without the midday crash — make-ahead-friendly and balanced enough to anchor the first meal of the day. Each serving lands at about 430 calories and feeds 4, so it sits comfortably in a weekly breakfast rotation alongside fruit, yogurt, or coffee. 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.

Ingredients

• 1 cup black-eyed peas, soaked overnight and drained
• 2 cups long grain rice
• 4 dried millet leaves (waakye leaves) or bay leaves
• 6 cups water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 4 boiled eggs, halved
• 1/4 cup shito sauce (Ghanaian spicy black pepper sauce)
• 1 cup fried plantains, sliced

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large pot, combine 1 cup soaked and drained black-eyed peas, 2 cups long grain rice, and 4 dried millet leaves (or bay leaves). Add 6 cups of water and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt.
2. Step 2: Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 40 minutes until the beans and rice are soft and water is absorbed.
3. Step 3: While the waakye cooks, heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium sliced onion and sauté for 6 minutes until golden and caramelized.
4. Step 4: Once the waakye is done, fluff it gently with a fork to mix the beans and rice evenly.
5. Step 5: Serve the waakye topped with caramelized onions, 4 halved boiled eggs, 1 cup sliced fried plantains, and a generous spoonful of 1/4 cup shito sauce for heat and depth.