Spicy Suya Beef(less) Meatballs

Now that the plant-based meat market is getting bigger, there are more and more opportunities for us plant based eaters to create recipes that can emulate some flavours we might miss eating plant-based. But there are also opportunities for us to explore new combinations. For me, that new combination was Suya Meatballs

I had been experimenting with a homemade suya spice. For those who do not know, suya spice is a peanut based spice used to flavour grilled meat in West Africa. In Nigeria, it is called suya spice but as you move west, you will also hear chinchinga spice, which is what it is referred to in Ghana. Suya spice has been credited to Hausa people who grill their meats with this spicy peanut based rub. The spice rub is traditionally made with local spices, more pepper and a peanut based snack called kulikuli. However, to make it more accessible, I have a simplified almond version available (CLICK HERE) and a more authentic version coming soon.

With so much leftover suya spice, I thought why not combine it with something else. I was originally hoping to make burgers but these meatballs are far more versatile. I have been loving them as a snack and pairing it with some of my rice and fonio dishes

Print Recipe

Spicy Suya Meatballs

West African Fusion

By Afia – Serves: 14 small meatballs

Prep Time: 10 minutes – Cooking Time: 20 minutes – Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 onion finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic minced
• 1/2 scotch bonnet pepper minced
• 1 tbsp of ginger minced
• 2 tbsp of suya spice**
• 1/2 tsp each curry powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin powder
• 1 pack beyond beef grounds

Instructions

1

Preheat oven to 400F

2

In a bowl, break up the beyond beef packet

3

Add in the onions, garlic, ginger, scotch bonnet pepper and suya spice till well combined

4

After add the spices

5

Roll the mixture into 14 balls and place on a baking try lined with a silicon mat or parchment paper. If you use tin foil, they might stick to the foil

6

Place the tray in the oven and bake for 15 minutes

7

After the 15 minutes have passed, flip the meatballs and then broil at 500F for 5 minutes to crisp up

8

Take it out of the oven, sprinkle more suya spice on top.

9

Enjoy alone or as a side for a main dish

Notes

** Suya spice recipe is available on my instagram page and linked above (second paragraph)

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