From Firewood to Flavor: 5 Traditional Ghanaian Recipes You Need to Try
Explore the heart of Ghana through five iconic traditional recipes — from spicy jollof rice to comforting fufu and light soup. Learn their cultural roots and how to make them at home.
Carissa Williams 
From Firewood to Flavor: 5 Traditional Ghanaian Recipes You Need to Try
Ghanaian food isn’t just about feeding the body — it’s about connection, culture, and celebration. Whether prepared over a wood fire in a village kitchen or in a modern home, these dishes carry centuries of flavor, tradition, and pride.
Here are five beloved Ghanaian meals every food lover should experience:
1. Jollof Rice
What it is: A flavorful one-pot rice dish made with tomato stew, onions, peppers, and seasoned meats.
Why we love it: It’s spicy, smoky, and the centerpiece of any Ghanaian party.
Must-have ingredients: Long grain rice, tomato paste, fresh tomatoes, scotch bonnet pepper, curry powder, and chicken or goat meat.
2. Fufu and Light Soup
What it is: Fufu is a smooth, stretchy dough made from cassava and plantain, often paired with spicy, aromatic light soup.
Why we love it: It’s filling, comforting, and best eaten with your hands — the traditional way.
Tips: Use a mortar and pestle for the authentic experience, or a fufu machine if you’re short on time.
3. Banku and Tilapia
What it is: Banku is a fermented mix of cassava and corn dough, served with grilled tilapia and hot pepper sauce.
Why we love it: It’s sour, smoky, and deeply satisfying. A coastal classic that’s packed with flavor and spice.
Don’t skip: Slicing fresh onions and tomatoes into the pepper sauce for extra kick.
4. Waakye
What it is: A rice and beans dish cooked with dried millet leaves, giving it a reddish tint and earthy flavor. Often served with boiled eggs, spaghetti, fried plantain, and shito (black pepper sauce).
Why we love it: Waakye is the ultimate Ghanaian street breakfast.
Fun fact: The leaves that give it color also add antioxidants.
5. Kelewele
What it is: Spicy fried plantains seasoned with ginger, cloves, and chili.
Why we love it: It’s crunchy on the outside, sweet and spicy on the inside. Perfect as a snack or side dish.
Best served with: Roasted groundnuts or cold sobolo (hibiscus tea).
Final Thought:
Traditional Ghanaian recipes are more than meals — they’re stories on a plate. Whether you’re reconnecting with your heritage or exploring West African cuisine for the first time, these dishes offer a taste of Ghana’s soul in every bite.
