Nkruma Nkwan (Ghanaian Okra Soup)
In short: A thick, peppery okra soup with tomato, red palm oil, smoked fish and tilapia, served with banku, fufu or rice balls in Ghanaian homes. It takes about 55 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Total
- 55 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 360 kcal
Okra soup is an everyday dish in Ghana, loved for the silky, slightly slippery texture that helps balls of banku or fufu glide down. Okra is chopped fine and simmered with tomato, onion, ginger and scotch bonnet, then smoked fish and fresh tilapia go in near the end. A spoonful of red palm oil adds color and flavor. It is quick compared with other soups and is usually on the table within an hour.
Instructions
- Blend the tomatoes, the roughly cut onion, ginger, garlic and scotch bonnet with 250 ml (1 cup) of the water until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into a pot with the remaining 500 ml (2 cups) water, the chopped onion, palm oil and salt. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Season the tilapia lightly with salt and set it aside.
- Add the smoked fish and okra to the pot and simmer uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring gently, until the okra is tender but still green.
- Add the tilapia and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, without stirring much, until opaque and flaking (63°C / 145°F).
- Taste and adjust the salt. Serve hot with banku, fufu or rice balls.
Tips
- Keep the pot uncovered and cook the okra briefly. Overcooking turns it gray and makes the soup stringy.
- Frozen chopped okra works well. Add it straight from the freezer and give it an extra 2 minutes.
Questions and answers
Is okra soup supposed to be slimy?
Slightly, yes. The silky texture is part of the appeal because it helps starchy balls slide down. Chop the okra finely for a thicker soup or in rounds for less.
What can I use instead of palm oil?
Use vegetable oil plus 1 tsp sweet paprika for color. The flavor will be lighter but still good.
Can I make okra soup with chicken?
Yes. Simmer 600 g (1 1/3 lb) bone-in chicken pieces in the broth for 25 minutes before adding the okra.
How long does it take to make Nkruma Nkwan (Ghanaian Okra Soup)?
About 55 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Nkruma Nkwan (Ghanaian Okra Soup)?
About 360 kcal per serving, with 40 g of protein, 15 g of carbohydrates and 17 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 360 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 40 g |
| Carbohydrates | 15 g |
| Fat | 17 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
