For many travelers in Ghana, groundnut soup (locally known as nkatenkwan) is an absolute favorite dish. At the Banko Women Organization (BWO) hostel, we often receive requests to learn how to prepare this soup. Today, we’re sharing our recipe for this delicious soup, packed with authentic flavors!

Groundnut Soup: The Pride of Ghana

Groundnut soup is a rich, creamy soup traditionally served in Ghana with fufu, banku, or rice balls. The name “nkatenkwan” originates from the Ashanti region and highlights the local use of peanuts as the base. This soup is more than just a dish; it reflects Ghanaian hospitality and culinary traditions.

At BWO, we cook daily with local ingredients and traditional techniques. Our version of groundnut soup is creamy and filling, a variation that both meat lovers and vegetarians will appreciate.

Recipe for Ghanaian Groundnut Soup

Ingredients

• 250g groundnut paste (or peanut butter without additives)
• 2 chicken legs (or substitute with fish or vegetables for a vegetarian version)
• 3 onions
• 4 tomatoes
• 150g tomato paste
• 4 pieces of ginger
• 5 garlic cloves
• 3 fresh peppers (to taste)
• Salt to taste
• 4 garden eggs (small aubergines, optional)
• Okra (optional)
• Water

Preparation

1. Chop one onion finely. Blend the other two onions together with ginger and garlic until smooth.
2. Heat some oil in a pan and sauté the chopped onion until translucent. Add the chicken pieces and brown them on all sides.
3. Add the blended mixture, cover the pan, and let it simmer on low heat.
4. Dissolve the groundnut paste in about 500 ml of water until there are no lumps.
5. Add the dissolved groundnut paste and tomato paste to the pan with chicken. Add more water, tomatoes, peppers, and garden eggs (if using). Let it cook for 10 minutes.
6. Remove the tomatoes, peppers, and garden eggs from the pan, blend them into a smooth sauce, and return this to the soup.
7. Add okra if desired and continue simmering the soup until it reaches your preferred thickness. Add salt to taste.
8. The soup is ready when the foam disappears and the oil rises to the surface.

Serving Suggestions

Peanut soup is traditionally eaten with fufu, a dough-like ball made from cassava and green plantains. Other options include banku (fermented cornmeal) or rice balls. For a lighter meal, you can serve the soup with bread.

Want to Learn More About Ghanaian Cuisine?

At BWO Hostel, we offer workshops where you can learn to prepare traditional dishes like groundnut soup. A unique opportunity to take the flavors of Ghana home with you! Want to know more? Click here!