Okra soup is one of Nigeria’s most-loved soups. Whether you’re from the East, West, North, or South, there’s a way this slimy, rich, and delicious soup finds its way to your plate—especially with hot eba, semo, or pounded yam.
In this post, I’ll show you how to cook okra soup the proper Nigerian way, with ingredients you can find in your local market. Whether you like it drawy (very slimy) or a bit firm, this guide is for you.
Ingredients for Nigerian Okra Soup
Here’s what you need:
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2 cups of freshly chopped okra
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Assorted meat (beef, shaki, ponmo)
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Stockfish (optional but adds great flavor)
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Dry fish
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Palm oil (about 1 cooking spoon)
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Crayfish (2 tablespoons, blended)
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Pepper (scotch bonnet or dry pepper to taste)
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Onions (1 medium-sized, blended)
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Seasoning cubes (Maggi, Knorr, or any preferred brand)
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Salt to taste
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Ugu (fluted pumpkin leaves) or spinach (optional)
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Ogiri (fermented locust beans – optional but traditional)
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Water
Related Post: Health Benefits of Okra You Didn’t Know
External Source: Okra Nutrition – WebMD
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare your proteins
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Wash your assorted meat, season with salt, onions, and seasoning cubes.
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Cook until soft. Add stockfish and ponmo halfway through cooking.
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Add dry fish towards the end so it doesn’t scatter too much.
Step 2: Chop your okra
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Wash and finely chop your okra using a knife or grater (for more slime).
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You can also blend half and chop the other half for a nice texture.
Step 3: Cook the soup base
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In a clean pot, heat palm oil. Once warm (not bleached), add blended onions and crayfish.
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Stir fry gently for about 2 minutes.
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Add your pepper and a little water or meat stock. Allow to simmer.
Step 4: Add meat and fish
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Add all your cooked proteins to the pot.
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Pour in more stock or water to loosen the soup base (not too watery).
Step 5: Add okra
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Add the chopped/blended okra.
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Stir continuously for 5–7 minutes so it doesn’t stick to the bottom.
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Add more water if it’s too thick.
Step 6: Season and finish
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Add seasoning cubes, salt, and ogiri if using.
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Add your ugu or spinach and cook for another 2 minutes.
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Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
That’s it. Your delicious okra soup is ready!
Best Swallows to Enjoy With Okra Soup
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Eba (garri)
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Amala
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Pounded yam
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Semovita
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Fufu
related: Top Nigerian Party Foods and How to Make Them at Home
external resource: Nigerian Drinks You Can Make at Home
Pro Tips for Perfect Okra Soup
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For more “draw”, blend part of the okra.
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Don’t overcook okra or the color and nutrients will be lost.
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Use ogiri for that traditional village-style aroma.
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Ugu is best, but spinach works fine too.
Final Thoughts
Okra soup is not only tasty but also nutritious, packed with fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. It’s easy to cook and you can customize it to your taste and region.
Have you tried cooking okra soup recently? Let me know in the comments or tag us on Instagram with your version!
