10+ Ghana Recipes: Delicious Dishes to Try at Home

Ghanaian cuisine is known for its rich flavors and diverse ingredients. These recipes offer a wonderful taste of Ghana’s culinary traditions. Delving into Ghana recipes can inspire you to create delicious meals that connect you with this vibrant culture.

From spicy stews to savory rice dishes, there is something for everyone in Ghanaian cooking. You can enjoy preparing meals that are not only satisfying but also full of history and community. Embracing these recipes brings a unique twist to your everyday cooking.

1) Jollof Rice with Basmati

Jollof rice is a beloved dish in Ghana. It’s flavorful and perfect for any occasion. Basmati rice gives it a light and fluffy texture.

To make Jollof rice with basmati, you start with essential ingredients. You will need tomatoes, onions, and spices. The scotch bonnet pepper adds a nice kick.

Cooking this dish can take a bit of time, but it’s worth it. The rich tomato stew makes the rice incredibly tasty. Serve it as a main dish or with grilled chicken for a delightful meal.

Ingredients

• 3 cups basmati rice
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 cans (14 oz each) diced tomatoes
• 2 large yellow onions, roughly chopped
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• 1-2 scotch bonnet peppers, chopped
• 2 cups water

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the basmati rice until the water runs clear.
2. In a pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
3. Add the chopped onions and sauté until soft.
4. Stir in the diced tomatoes and tomato paste.
5. Add the scotch bonnet and cook for about 10 minutes.
6. Add the rice and water, and bring to a boil.
7. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes at 350°F (175°C) until the rice is cooked.
8. Fluff the rice and enjoy!

2) Sweet Plantain Fritters (Kaaklo)

Kaaklo is a delicious Ghanaian snack made from overripe plantains. These sweet plantain fritters have a unique flavor, thanks to added spices and ingredients.

To start, you’ll need to mash the overripe plantains. Mixing them with roasted corn flour and spices like ginger gives kaaklo its distinct taste. Then, shape the mixture into balls.

Fry the shaped fritters in hot oil until they turn golden brown. You’ll love the sweet and slightly spicy flavor of the final dish.

Ingredients

• 2 overripe plantains
• 1 cup roasted corn flour
• 1 teaspoon grains of selim
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon calabash nutmeg
• 1 thumb-sized ginger, grated
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel and mash the overripe plantains in a bowl.
2. Add roasted corn flour, grains of selim, ground cloves, calabash nutmeg, and grated ginger. Mix well.
3. Shape the mixture into small balls.
4. Heat oil in a pan to 350°F (175°C).
5. Fry the balls in the hot oil until golden brown.
6. Remove and drain on paper towels. Enjoy!

3) Ghanaian Peanut Soup with Chicken

Ghanaian Peanut Soup with Chicken is a delicious and hearty dish. It combines the smoothness of peanut butter with tender chicken, creating a rich flavor.

To make this soup, you’ll start with fresh ingredients. Groundnut paste is key, giving it a creamy texture. The dish is often spiced with ginger and tomatoes for added warmth.

You can enjoy this soup on its own or serve it over rice for a filling meal. It’s perfect for sharing with family and friends.

Ingredients

• Groundnut paste
• Chicken pieces
• Ginger
• Chopped onions
• Tomatoes
• Tomato paste
• Scotch bonnets
• Basil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a pot and sauté chopped onions until golden.
2. Add ginger and tomatoes; cook until soft.
3. Stir in groundnut paste and chicken pieces.
4. Add water and simmer for 30 minutes at 350°F (175°C).
5. Season with scotch bonnets and basil. Cook for another 15 minutes.

4) Waakye (Rice and Beans)

Waakye is a traditional Ghanaian dish made with rice and beans. It is a popular breakfast option and is often enjoyed at any time of the day. The rice and beans are cooked together, giving them a delicious flavor.

To make waakye, you can use black-eyed peas or other varieties of beans. Some recipes call for red sorghum leaves, which add a unique color and taste. You can find waakye served with various sides like fried plantains, boiled eggs, or stews.

Ingredients

• 2 cups jasmine rice
• 1 ½ cups black-eyed peas
• 3-4 long sorghum leaves (optional)
• 6 ¼ cups water
• ½ tsp baking soda (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the rice and beans under cold water.
2. In a large pot, add water and bring it to a boil.
3. Add beans and baking soda. Cook until soft.
4. Add rice and sorghum leaves. Stir well.
5. Cover and simmer for about 20-30 minutes on low heat.
6. Check for doneness and fluff with a fork before serving.

5) Banku with Okro Stew

Banku with Okro Stew is a delicious Ghanaian dish that combines smooth fermented corn and cassava dough with savory okra stew. This meal is popular for its unique taste and texture.

To make banku, you mix corn and cassava flour with water. You cook it over low heat while stirring until it becomes smooth and stretchy.

The okro stew is made from chopped okra, tomatoes, onions, and various proteins like beef or fish. The flavors blend beautifully, creating a comforting stew.

Ingredients

• 1 pound of beef
• ½ pound of cow skin (wele)
• 1 pound chopped okra
• 1 medium tomato
• 1 large onion
• 10-15 peppers
• Corn and cassava flour for banku

Cooking Instructions

1. Prepare the banku by mixing corn and cassava flour with water.
2. Cook over low heat while stirring until smooth.
3. For the stew, chop okra, tomato, and onion.
4. Boil the beef and cow skin until tender.
5. Add the chopped ingredients and spices to the pot.
6. Simmer until everything is cooked through.
7. Serve the banku with the okro stew on top.

6) Kelewele (Spicy Fried Plantains)

Kelewele is a beloved Ghanaian snack made with ripe plantains. The plantains are sliced and marinated in a blend of spices before frying. This creates a crispy, spicy treat that’s full of flavor.

To make kelewele, you will need ripe plantains with a few black spots. Ginger and onions add a delicious kick to the dish. The combination of these ingredients makes for a perfect snack or side dish.

Ingredients

• 5 ripe plantains
• 1/4 white onion, roughly chopped or 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 3-inch piece of ginger, roughly chopped
• 1 teaspoon chili powder or pepper
• Salt to taste
• Vegetable oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel and slice the ripe plantains into bite-sized pieces.
2. In a bowl, combine the onions, ginger, chili powder, and salt.
3. Add the plantain slices to the mixture and coat well.
4. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
5. Fry the marinated plantains until golden brown, about 3-5 minutes.
6. Remove and drain on paper towels before serving.

7) Gari Foto with Vegetables

Gari Foto is a tasty Ghanaian dish made from gari and vegetables. It’s a simple, quick recipe that packs great flavor and nutrition. You can customize it with your favorite veggies for a delicious meal.

To start, gather your ingredients. You will need gari, onions, tomatoes, and your choice of vegetables. Common picks include carrots and bell peppers, which add color and crunch.

Cooking is straightforward. First, prepare your vegetables by chopping them. Then, sauté the onions and tomatoes in some oil. Once they soften, stir in the vegetables until they are cooked but still crisp. Finally, mix in the gari and enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cups gari
• ½ – ¾ cup water
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 6 medium tomatoes, chopped
• Your choice of vegetables (e.g., carrots, bell peppers)

Cooking Instructions

1. Chop all vegetables.
2. Heat oil in a pan on medium (350°F / 180°C).
3. Sauté onions and tomatoes until soft.
4. Add the chopped vegetables and cook briefly.
5. Stir in gari and water until combined.
6. Serve and enjoy!

8) Fufu with Light Soup

Fufu with Light Soup is a popular dish in Ghana. It combines the smooth, stretchy texture of fufu with a flavorful and spicy soup. The soup typically features assorted meats, spices, and peppers.

To prepare fufu, you usually boil cassava and plantains, then pound them until smooth. For the light soup, simmer your choice of meats with fresh ingredients.

This dish is perfect for sharing with family and friends, making it a beloved choice for gatherings. Enjoy it with a side of rice or yam for a fulfilling meal.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of fufu (cassava and plantains)
• 1 lb assorted meats (chicken, beef, or fish)
• 1-2 cups of water
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2-3 tomatoes, blended
• 1-2 tablespoons pepper (to taste)
• Salt (to taste)
• Spices (like ginger and garlic)

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil the cassava and plantains until soft.
2. Pound them together until smooth and stretchy.
3. In a pot, add assorted meats and cook with onions.
4. Pour in blended tomatoes and water, then add spices.
5. Allow the soup to simmer until the meats are tender.
6. Serve the fufu with the light soup on the side.

9) Red Red (Bean Stew)

Red Red is a popular Ghanaian dish that combines cowpeas, tomatoes, and red palm oil. It’s known for its rich flavor and vibrant color. You can make it vegan by skipping meat or adding your favorite protein.

To prepare this dish, you first cook the cowpeas until they are tender. Next, you sauté onions, garlic, and ginger in red palm oil for a delicious base. Then, add diced tomatoes and the cooked cowpeas to the mix.

This dish is usually served with fried plantains on the side, making it a complete meal. Enjoy the unique taste of this Ghanaian classic!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 – 2 cups dried black-eyed peas
• 1/3 – 1/2 cup red palm oil
• 1 very large or 2 medium tomatoes, diced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the black-eyed peas in water until tender.
2. In a pot, heat red palm oil over medium heat (350°F or 180°C).
3. Add chopped onion, minced garlic, and ginger to the pot. Sauté until golden brown.
4. Stir in the diced tomatoes and cook for a few minutes.
5. Add the cooked black-eyed peas and mix well. Season with salt.
6. Serve hot with fried plantains.

10) Kokonte with Groundnut Soup

Kokonte is a traditional Ghanaian dish made from cassava flour. It is often served with rich groundnut soup, which adds flavor and depth. This dish is both nutritious and delicious, making it a favorite among many.

The groundnut soup is made with ingredients like peanut butter, tomatoes, and spices. You can customize it by adding chicken or beef for extra protein.

To enjoy kokonte, simply knead the cassava flour and form it into small balls. Then, serve it alongside your prepared groundnut soup for a wholesome meal.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cassava flour
• 1 cup peanut butter (groundnut paste)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2-3 tomatoes, blended
• 2-4 cups water
• Pepper, ginger, and garlic to taste
• Optional: chicken or beef

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil water in a pot.

2. Gradually mix cassava flour in boiling water to form a smooth dough.

3. For groundnut soup, cook onions, blended tomatoes, and spices in another pot.

4. Add peanut butter, stir well, and simmer.

5. Serve the kokonte with groundnut soup. Enjoy!