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Suya is the Nigerian name, Kyinkyinga (pronounced chin-chin-ga) is the Ghanaian name, and Agashe is the Sudanese name. It’s usually cooked with beef, ram, or chicken.
For those abstaining from meat, suya may seem off-limits. But with some creative substitutes, plant-based eaters can also enjoy the unique flavors of this Nigerian street food favorite.
Oyster mushrooms are the perfect substitute for the meat, soaking up the spice rub and charring beautifully on the grill. When shredded into smaller pieces, the mushrooms look like shredded meat quite convincingly.
The traditional suya spice blend is incredibly flavorful, featuring a mix of warm spices like ginger and cayenne along with salty, nutty, toasted peanut powder. When tossed with the oyster mushrooms, the spice blend infuses the mushrooms with that unique suya flavor profile.
Grilling the spiced mushrooms over an open flame or in a cast iron skillet gives them that essential char, while using a grill pan recreates the grill marks that make suya so recognizable.
Tips for Perfect Vegan Suya Every Time:
- Squeeze out excess moisture from mushrooms before grilling to prevent steaming
- Cook mushrooms in batches for best browning and charring
- Use a grill pan or outdoor grill for authentic grill marks
- Use pre-made suya spice blend from an African market or online retailer
- To make suya spice at home, use a blend of warm spices, salt, peanut powder and smoked paprika
- Skewer mushrooms before coating to mimic meat on a stick appearance
- Allow mushrooms to cook until nicely browned and charred
- Serve alongside raw onion and tomato slices
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for several days
- Reheat leftovers with extra spice blend to refresh flavor
Serving Suggestions
When serving vegan suya, be sure to include some raw onion and tomato slices, just as you would find accompanying traditional suya. The fresh vegetables provide a nice crunch and acidity to balance the rich, spicy mushrooms.
For a heartier meal, suya makes an excellent taco filling or addition to a grain bowl. Leftovers keep well for a few days refrigerated and can even be frozen. Simply reheat with a touch more spice blend to refresh the flavor.
Is Suya Vegan?
Vegan Suya
Ingredients
- 2 cups Oyster Mushrooms
- 1 tsp dried red chillies
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- 2 tsps finely ground roasted peanuts skip this if allergic
- ½ tsp garlic
- 1 tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp onion
- 1 bouillon cube
Instructions
- Wash mushroom and dry properly with a pepper towel
- Spread out on a baking pan and put in a preheated medium.
- Cook for about 10 minutes and set aside, turning regularly on each side as they can dry up very quickly
- Mix chillies, paprika, garlic, ginger, onion, salt and bouillon cube in a dry bowl.
- Transfer mushrooms in a plate and sprinkle mix to taste.