🏠 Home > 🗺️ Recipes > 🍲 Soups > 🇬🇭 Ghana Soups > 🍲 Groundnut Soup (Peanut Soup) , Light Soup (Tomato & Pepper Broth) , Palm Nut Soup
🍲 Easy Homemade Ghana Soup Recipes (Step-by-Step Guide)
Introduction
When you think of Ghanaian cuisine, your mind probably jumps to jollof rice or grilled tilapia — but the real heart of Ghana’s kitchen is in its soups. In Ghana, soup isn’t just food; it’s an experience. It’s comfort, family, and tradition all poured into a single pot.
Across homes in Accra, Kumasi, or Cape Coast, soup is served almost daily — often paired with fufu, rice balls, or banku. What makes Ghanaian soups special is the way they blend fresh ingredients like tomatoes, onions, peppers, and local spices with proteins like fish, goat, or chicken. The result? Deep, layered flavors that feel both homely and bold.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to make three of Ghana’s most beloved soups — all beginner-friendly and full of authentic taste:
1.Groundnut Soup (Peanut Soup) – creamy, nutty, and soul-warming.
2.Light Soup (Tomato & Pepper Broth) – spicy, aromatic, and refreshing.
3.Palm Nut Soup – rich, earthy, and deeply traditional.
Grab your cooking pot — we’re bringing the warmth of Ghana straight to your kitchen.
🔹 Recipe 1: Ghanaian Groundnut Soup (Peanut Soup)
About this Recipe
Groundnut soup (called Nkate Nkwan in Twi) is one of Ghana’s most iconic dishes. It’s creamy, slightly spicy, and made from blended peanuts (groundnuts). Traditionally served with fufu or rice balls, it’s a celebration dish often cooked for guests or family gatherings.
What makes this soup unique is its balance — the richness of peanut paste blends with tomatoes, onions, and chili peppers to create a beautifully smooth and aromatic broth.
Ingredients & Measurements
- 1 cup smooth peanut butter (unsweetened)
- 4 medium tomatoes
- 2 large onions
- 2–3 fresh chili peppers (adjust to taste)
- 1 lb chicken or goat meat (cut into pieces)
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cloves garlic (optional)
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 4 cups water (plus more as needed)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1.Prepare the peanut base:
In a saucepan, combine peanut butter with 1 cup of water. Stir over medium heat until smooth and slightly thickened (about 5 minutes). Set aside.
2.Cook the meat:
In a large pot, add meat, half of the onions (chopped), garlic, ginger, and salt. Add a cup of water and simmer until the meat is tender.
3.Blend the vegetables:
Blend tomatoes, remaining onions, and chili peppers until smooth. Add this mixture to the pot of meat and cook for about 10 minutes.
4.Add the peanut mixture:
Pour in the peanut paste and stir well. Add tomato paste and 2–3 more cups of water depending on your desired thickness.
5.Simmer to perfection:
Let the soup cook gently for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally so it doesn’t stick to the bottom. You’ll notice the oil rising to the top — that’s a good sign!
6.Taste and adjust:
Add more salt or water if needed. Serve hot with fufu, rice balls, or plain white rice.
Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t use sweetened peanut butter — it will ruin the flavor balance.
- Keep stirring as it simmers to avoid burning at the bottom.
- Add a little palm oil for extra color and richness (optional).
FAQ
Q: Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes! Replace the meat with mushrooms or eggplant and use vegetable stock instead.
Q: How do I know when it’s ready?
When the soup thickens slightly and a thin layer of oil floats on top — it’s done.
Q: Can I freeze groundnut soup?
Absolutely. It freezes beautifully for up to 2 months. Just reheat gently and stir well.
Summary
Creamy, comforting, and full of soul — Ghanaian Groundnut Soup is the perfect balance of nutty and spicy flavors. It’s simple enough for beginners but tastes like something straight from a Ghanaian home kitchen.
🔹 Recipe 2: Ghana Light Soup (Tomato & Pepper Broth)
About this Recipe
Light Soup, or Nkrakra, is one of Ghana’s simplest and most refreshing soups. Despite its name, it’s not “light” in flavor — it’s light in texture. Made with a blend of tomatoes, onions, and hot peppers, this soup has a smooth, spicy kick that pairs beautifully with fufu or rice balls.
It’s also one of Ghana’s most adaptable soups — you can make it with chicken, fish, goat, or even beef.
Ingredients & Measurements
- 1 lb chicken or goat meat
- 4 large tomatoes
- 2 onions
- 2–3 chili peppers
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp shrimp powder or fish stock cube (optional)
- 4 cups water
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 2 garlic cloves
Step-by-Step Instructions
1.Cook the meat:
Add your meat to a large pot with half of the chopped onions, garlic, ginger, salt, and a cup of water. Simmer for about 10–15 minutes until the meat starts to tenderize.
2.Blend vegetables:
Blend tomatoes, remaining onion, and chili peppers until smooth. Add to the pot.
3.Add tomato paste and water:
Stir in tomato paste and pour in 3–4 cups of water depending on how light you want the soup.
4.Simmer:
Boil gently for 30–40 minutes, skimming any foam off the top. You’ll see the soup reduce slightly and the flavors deepen.
5.Taste and serve:
Adjust salt or add a dash of shrimp powder for umami. Serve hot with fufu or boiled yam.
Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t rush the simmering — this soup gets better as flavors develop.
- For a lighter soup, strain it through a sieve before serving.
- Avoid overusing tomato paste — it should enhance, not dominate.
FAQ
Q: Can I use fish instead of meat?
Yes! Tilapia or snapper works beautifully. Just add the fish during the last 10–15 minutes of cooking.
Q: Why is it called “Light Soup”?
Because of its clear broth-like texture compared to thicker soups like groundnut or palm nut soup.
Q: Can I make it spicy or mild?
Of course. Simply adjust the number of chili peppers.
Summary
Light Soup is Ghana’s go-to comfort food — simple, spicy, and endlessly customizable. It’s a dish that proves that sometimes the most satisfying flavors come from the simplest ingredients.
🔹 Recipe 3: Palm Nut Soup (Abenkwan)
About this Recipe
Palm Nut Soup, or Abenkwan, is one of Ghana’s richest and most traditional soups. It’s made from palm fruit extract, which gives it its signature reddish color and earthy aroma. The flavor is deep, slightly nutty, and perfectly savory — a true reflection of Ghana’s culinary roots.
This soup is often cooked with smoked fish or goat meat and served with fufu, rice balls, or boiled plantains.
Ingredients & Measurements
- 2 cups palm nut cream or extract
- 1 lb goat meat or chicken
- 2 large onions
- 3 medium tomatoes
- 2–3 chili peppers
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 smoked fish (optional)
- 1 stock cube (optional)
- 4 cups water
Step-by-Step Instructions
1.Cook the meat:
Add meat, salt, onions, and tomatoes to a pot with 1 cup of water. Simmer until tender.
2.Blend and strain:
Remove tomatoes, onions, and peppers. Blend them into a smooth paste and return to the pot.
3.Add palm nut cream:
Stir in the palm nut extract, tomato paste, and more water (as needed) to create your soup base.
4.Simmer gently:
Let it cook for 30–40 minutes. You’ll notice a red oil rising to the surface — that’s the essence of good palm soup.
5.Add smoked fish (optional):
Stir gently to mix without breaking the fish apart.
6.Serve hot:
Enjoy with fufu, boiled rice, or yam.
Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t boil too hard — it can cause the oil to emulsify and lose its rich layer.
- If the soup tastes too strong, dilute slightly with water and simmer longer.
- Use fresh palm nut extract for the most authentic flavor.
FAQ
Q: Can I use canned palm nut cream?
Yes! It’s a great shortcut and available in many African grocery stores.
Q: What can I pair it with?
Traditionally fufu, but rice balls or yam are just as good.
Q: Is it spicy?
You control the heat! Adjust chili peppers to your taste.
Summary
Palm Nut Soup captures the heart of Ghana’s traditional cooking — hearty, smoky, and full of flavor. Each spoonful tastes like home and heritage.
Final Thoughts
Cooking Ghanaian soups at home may seem intimidating at first, but once you try it, you’ll see it’s all about layering flavors and cooking with love. From the nutty richness of Groundnut Soup to the spicy warmth of Light Soup and the deep earthiness of Palm Nut Soup — each dish tells a story of community and tradition.
Start with one recipe, master it, then explore the others. Before you know it, you’ll be ladling up bowls of Ghanaian goodness like a pro.
So grab your pot, turn up your favorite Afrobeats playlist, and bring a little Ghanaian comfort into your kitchen tonight. 🇬🇭🍲
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