Spicy Pepper Soup with Fried Plantains

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

A fiery pepper soup bursting with heat and flavor, paired with crispy fried plantains for a perfect Nigerian street food combo. This nigerian-inspired soups ready in about 65 minutes pairs crushed pepper, medium, diced onion, medium, chopped tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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: 40 min Serves 4 Nigerian cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a pot over medium heat. Add 2 diced onions and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent. Stir in 4 tbsp crushed pepper and 1 tbsp salt, cooking for 2 minutes until aromatic.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 chopped tomatoes and 2 tbsp groundnut paste. Cook for 10 minutes until tomatoes break down. Stir in 2 tbsp peanut butter and 1.5 liters water, simmering for 20 minutes until soup thickens.
  3. Step 3: In a separate pan, heat 1 tbsp oil. Fry 4 sliced plantains in batches for 5 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
  4. Step 4: Serve soup in bowls, topped with fried plantains and a sprinkle of extra salt.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Pepper Soup with Fried Plantains take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (25 min prep + 40 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 Spicy Pepper Soup with Fried Plantains?

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 crushed pepper from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Pepper Soup with Fried Plantains?

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 Spicy Pepper Soup with Fried Plantains 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.

What goes well with Spicy Pepper Soup with Fried Plantains?

Nigerian soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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