Chichinga (Ghanaian Spiced Beef Kebabs)
In short: Thin strips of beef skewered and grilled with a peanut, ginger and chili spice rub, served with raw onion and tomato, a Ghanaian street classic. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 410 kcal
Chichinga is Ghana's grilled meat skewer, sold at roadside grills in the evening, wrapped in paper with sliced onion, tomato and extra pepper. Thin strips of beef are coated in yaji, a spice mix of ground roasted peanuts, ginger and chili, then threaded onto sticks and grilled over charcoal until browned and a little charred. Chicken and goat work as well. The peanut coating is what sets it apart from other kebabs.
Instructions
- Grind the peanuts in a spice grinder or mortar to a fine, sandy powder. Mix with the ginger, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, paprika and salt to make the yaji.
- Toss the beef with 2 tbsp of the oil and two-thirds of the yaji until every strip is coated. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Thread the beef onto the skewers in loose ribbons, leaving a little space between the pieces.
- Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high and oil the grates lightly.
- Grill the skewers for 3 to 4 minutes per side, brushing with the remaining oil, until browned in places and cooked through (at least 63°C / 145°F).
- Sprinkle with the remaining yaji and serve at once with sliced onion, tomato and lemon wedges.
Tips
- Freeze the beef for 30 minutes before slicing, which makes thin, even strips much easier to cut.
- Peanut powder burns fast, so move the skewers to a cooler part of the grill if they flare up. Chicken thighs (cooked to 74°C / 165°F) can replace the beef.
Questions and answers
Is chichinga the same as suya?
They are close relatives. Both are thinly sliced grilled meat coated in a ground peanut spice mix called yaji, and the exact mix varies by region and cook.
Can I cook chichinga in the oven?
Yes. Lay the skewers on a rack over a tray and broil about 8 cm (3 in) from the heat for 4 to 5 minutes per side.
How spicy is it?
Medium-hot with 2 tsp cayenne. Use 1/2 tsp for a mild version, and serve extra cayenne on the side for those who want more.
How long does it take to make Chichinga (Ghanaian Spiced Beef Kebabs)?
About 45 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Chichinga (Ghanaian Spiced Beef Kebabs)?
About 410 kcal per serving, with 42 g of protein, 6 g of carbohydrates and 24 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 410 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 42 g |
| Carbohydrates | 6 g |
| Fat | 24 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
