Equatorial Guinea | Main dish

Jollof Rice Equatoguineano

Equatorial Guinea's take on the iconic West African rice dish — fragrant long-grain rice cooked in a smoky tomato and pepper sauce with Spanish-influenced seasonings.

Country
Equatorial Guinea
Region
Central Africa
Time
65 min
Serves
6
Level
medium
Recipe overview

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As the only Spanish-speaking country in Central Africa, Equatorial Guinea has a unique culinary identity that blends Fang and Bubi traditions with Spanish and broader West African influences. Their jollof rice uses smoked paprika alongside traditional African peppers, and is often prepared with palm oil rather than vegetable oil, giving it a distinctive orange hue and richer flavour.

What the dish tastes like

Equatorial Guinea's take on the iconic West African rice dish — fragrant long-grain rice cooked in a smoky tomato and pepper sauce with Spanish-influenced seasonings.

When to cook it

Best for Parties, celebrations, Sunday meals, with a medium cooking level and about 65 minutes total.

What to serve alongside it

Fried plantains, grilled chicken, or a fresh salad

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Servings: 6

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How to cook it

Step-by-step instructions

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1
Prepare the tomato base
Blend the tomatoes and one onion until smooth. Heat palm oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot. Sauté the sliced onion until golden. Add tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Cook base 07:00
2
Cook the sauce
Pour in the blended tomato-onion mixture. Add smoked paprika, bay leaves, and the whole scotch bonnet. Cook on medium heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is reduced and the oil floats on top.
The sauce must be well-reduced before adding rice — this is the key to flavourful jollof.
Reduce sauce 15:00
3
Add rice and water
Add the washed rice to the sauce and stir to coat every grain. Pour in 3 cups of hot water. Season with salt and stir once. Bring to a boil.
Use hot water to avoid shocking the rice and slowing the cooking.
4
Steam the rice
Reduce heat to the lowest setting. Cover the pot tightly with foil and then the lid. Cook without opening for 30 minutes until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid.
Do not lift the lid or stir during this time — the steam does the work.
Steam rice 30:00
5
Fluff and serve
Remove from heat. Remove the bay leaves and scotch bonnet. Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Serve hot with fried plantains and grilled chicken.
The slightly crispy rice at the bottom of the pot is the best part — scrape it up and serve it.

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