Ghanaian Tomato-Basil Jollof Rice

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-16 · Updated 2026-04-16

A vibrant rice dish simmered with fresh tomatoes, bell peppers, and aromatic herbs, perfect for family dinners. This ghanaian-inspired one pot ready in about 50 minutes pairs long-grain rice, chicken stock, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

Ingredients

• 2 cups long-grain rice
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 large, finely chopped onion
• 1, finely chopped red bell pepper
• 1, finely chopped green bell pepper
• 2 medium, chopped tomato
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat, then add 1 large chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
2. Step 2: Stir in 1 chopped red bell pepper, 1 chopped green bell pepper, and 2 chopped medium tomatoes, cooking for 5 minutes until tomatoes break down and mixture thickens.
3. Step 3: Add 1 tablespoon thyme, 1 teaspoon curry powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the pot, then mix in 2 cups long-grain rice and 4 cups chicken stock.
4. Step 4: Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed, stirring once halfway.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat, cover, and let rest for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.