Easy Jollof Rice + Instant Pot Version

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This easy Jollof Rice recipe and Instant pot Jollof Rice is a spiced tomato rice served all across West Africa.  Served during all celebrations like wedding, birthdays, Christmas and more.

Suitable for gluten-free and vegan diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.

overhead view of jollof rice in a blue bowl with spoon in jollof rice

What can I say about Jollof Rice? Or is it Jellof Rice? Or Benachin? All across West Africa there are fierce debates about the origin of this dish, as well as about it’s ‘authentic’ ingredients. Whenever I cook this I tend to have a bowl of it for breakfast the next day, then lunch, then supper. 

What is Jollof Rice?

The base of any Jollof Rice recipe is rice and tomatoes to which everyone adds in their own ‘authentic’ ingredients. Mine, well coconut. I love how the tomato and coconut flavors blend together to produce fragrant and gorgeous colored rice and that tastes divine.

Different countries add ginger, garlic, paprika, beans peppers, carrots, sweet corn, cabbage, curry powder, nutmeg. Some even put chicken and fish in it, but in Sierra Leone, it tends to be vegetarian. And it is then served with a stew as a side dish.

Wherever it originates, whatever is put in it, however it is cooked, we all agree on one thing. No special occasion is complete without this traditional dish. Firewood is lit well before dawn under huge pots whilst piles and piles of onions, chilies, and other accompaniment are prepared. closeup of jollof rice in a blue and white bowl on a blue background

Dozens of cups of Jollof Rice are cooked in anticipation of it being the main dish at festivities. Four dozen cups of rice to be precise in my childhood home on Christmas day and New Year’s Day too.

Why so much? Because during the celebrations, everyone visits everyone else’s houses, and when they leave, they’re always given some food to take back with them. So throughout the day, there are always take-away containers being filled to the brim with the rice, stew, fried plantains, coleslaw and more.

overhead view of easy jollof rice recipe in a bowl with spoon inside

How to Make Jollof Rice

There are a lot of ways to make Jollof Rice and here I give you my simpler versions that anyone can make.

  1. Heat oil in a non-stick pan and fry onion, garlic, bay leaves and 4 tbsp of water for about 5 minutes.
  2. Add in tomato puree and fry for about 30 seconds.
  3. Then add in rice and stir constantly until rice is coated with tomato puree.
  4. Transfer the rice mixture into a rice cooker and add in coconut milk, water, spices, and jumbo cube (if using, mix well and adjust seasoning.
  5. Cook according to your rice cooker instructions.
  6. About 10 minutes into cooking give the rice a very good stir to make sure all the tomato is well mixed in.
  7. When the rice has cooked and the rice cooker switches to the keep warm setting, let it rest in this setting for about 10 minutes.
  8. Then open the cover of the rice cooker, fluff up the rice and leave uncovered for about 5 minutes before serving.

How To Make Instant Pot Jollof Rice 

Instant Pot fans, I’ve made an Instant Pot version of Jollof rice just for you. Here is how to make it (check the recipe card at the end of the post for ingredients).

  1. Step 1. Mix together stock, tomato puree, coriander, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon and chili in a jug and set aside.
  2. Step 2. Select saute on the pressure cooker, once it reads “hot” add oil and onion into the insert and saute for 5 mins then press cancel.
  3. Step 3. Add in the garlic, stock and tomato mixture, rice and season with salt and pepper to taste and mix.
  4. Step 4. Lock the lid, set valve is set to “sealing” position, select pressure cook (or manual), high pressure, and 5 mins cook time.
  5. Step 5. When the cook time ends, turn the Instant Pot off and let the pressure release naturally.
  6. Step 6. Stir the Jollof Rice, let stand for another 5 mins then serve.image collage showing the steps for making instant pot jollof rice

Recipe Tips

  • Add in scotch bonnet or chilies if you would like some heat.
  • Jumbo/Maggi/Dole cubes are stock cubes used to flavor food in West Africa and can be found in ethnic foods shops. You can use stock cubes plus water instead.
  • You can add in veggies like sweet corn, carrot, and peas to your Rice Cooker Jollof but add these halfway through the cooking time to avoid overcooked veggies.
  • Rice will stick a bit – decant rice from the inner pot immediately, soak inner pot for 5-10 mins and wash clean.
  • You can try 4 mins for firmer rice or 6-7 mins for softer rice. Try and see which you prefer.

Prep Ahead and Meal Prep

Prep Ahead – Make ahead and refrigerate for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

Freeze – Follow the handy tips below on how to freeze this.

  • Let it cool down, then transfer into these very handy Ziploc freezer bags.
  • Squeeze out all the extra air and seal the bags.
  • Label the bags and then lay them flat in the freezer.
  • Store in the freezer for 3 months.

Recipe Variations

Sierra Leone Jollof Rice

Sierra Leone Jollof Rice is simple and is what is cooked here. We tend to use stock cubes like Maggi or Dole to make up our stock but if you don’t have access to these simple use some vegetable stock or chicken stock if you prefer and you are good to go.

You can cook it in the rice cooker, which is super easy. Or you cook it traditionally in a pot over the fire till almost done, then open the pot, cover the rice fully with a plastic bag, cover again and cook till the end. And done……. 

Nigerian Jollof

Classic Nigerian Jollof tends to start with much more of a stew.  The rice is added to a spiced (blended) tomato stew and some stock and cooked. A tip is that you can precook the stew and keep it in portions in the freezer. Then just defrost what you need, add it to the pot along with the rice and cook. Nigerians tend to add curry powder to their Jollof as well as use parboiled long grain rice for this dish.

Jollof Rice Ghana

Similarly to Nigeria, Ghanian Jollof Rice is also cooked in a tomato stew, most often a chicken gravy. Also, Ghanaians tend to add bell peppers, crayfish to their Jollof as well as use jasmine or basmati rice for this dish.completed jollof rice inside the instant pot

Serving Suggestions

You would need to serve a stew with this Jollof Rice. You can try one of the versions below.

More Instant Pot Rice Recipes

More African Recipes

If you are interested in African recipes, then you may be interested in

Instant Pot Rice Recipe Video

Whilst this is not actually jollof rice, it is a video for how to cook Instant Pot Rice. To start you off cooking rice in the Instant Pot.

Reader feedback on this post

I learned something new today. I am on a deadline, yet I was sucked into your post because it was so incredibly different. Thanks for teaching me about a new culture today. I enjoyed every word! And now I want some Jollof Rice with chicken – yes, I went hunting for that recipe too. 

Weight Watchers Points 

If you replace the oil with a calorie-controlled cooking spray and increase the servings to 8 servings, there are 5 Blue Plan SmartPoints per serving.

Thank you for reading this Jollof Rice recipe post.  And please come visit again as I continue dreaming up recipes, traditional African recipes, African fusion recipes, Sierra Leone recipes, travel plans and much more for you. Thanks for reading Recipes from a Pantry, food blog. Picture updated on July 30 2017. Post Updated March 2020.

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overhead view of large pot of instant pot rice jollof rice with a spoon sticking out over blue countertop
Print Recipe
5 from 6 votes

Jollof rice

You will love this delicious Jollof Rice recipe.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Main
Cuisine: African, American
Servings: 6
Calories: 282kcal
Author: Bintu Hardy

Ingredients

Non-Instant Pot version:

  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 5 tbsp tomato puree or to taste
  • 600 g (3 ¼ cups) basmati rice
  • 400 ml coconut milk
  • 750 ml (3 ½ cups) water
  • 0.5 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 jumbo cube optional, see notes
  • Salt to taste

Instant Pot version:

  • 470 ml (2 cups) vegetable stock
  • 3.5-4 tbsp tomato puree
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 0.5 tsp ground ginger
  • 0.5 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil (or olive oil)
  • 1 onion finely sliced
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 370 g (2 cups) basmati white rice
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground white pepper (or black pepper)

Instructions

Non-Instant Pot version:

  • Heat the oil in non-stick pan and add in onion, garlic and bay leaves and 4 tbsp of water, stir and fry for about 5 mins.
  • Add in tomato puree and fry for about 30 seconds.
  • Then add in rice and stir constantly until rice is coated with tomato puree.
  • Transfer the rice mixture in to a rice cooker and add in coconut milk, water, spices and jumbo cube (if using).
  • Mix well and adjust seasoning.
  • Cook according to your rice cooker instructions.
  • About 10 minutes into cooking give the rice a very good stir to make sure all the tomato is well mixed in.
  • When the rice has cooked and the rice cooker switches to the keep warm setting, let it rest in this setting for about 10 minutes.
  • Then open the cover of the rice cooker, fluff up the rice and leave uncovered for about 5 minutes before serving.

Instant Pot version:

  • Mix together stock, tomato puree, coriander, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon and chilli in a jug and set aside.
  • Select saute on pressure cooker, once it reads "hot" add oil and onion into the insert and saute for 5 mins then press cancel.
  • Add in the garlic, stock and tomato mixture, rice and season with salt and pepper to taste and mix. 
  • Lock the lid, set valve is set to "sealing" position, select pressure cook (or manual), high pressure and 5 mins cook time. (See recipe notes for additional cook time options.)
  • When the cook time ends, turn the Instant Pot off and let the pressure release naturally.
  • Stir the rice, let stand for another 5 mins then serve.
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Video

Notes

Non-Instant Pot Version Notes

  • Stock of your choice can be substituted for the water and or coconut milk.
  • Add in scotch bonnet or chillies if you would like some heat.
  • Jumbo/Maggi/Dole cubes are stock cubes used to flavour food in West Africa. They can be bought in shops selling ethnic foods. If you don't have these you can substitute the water with some stock.
Nutrition facts are calculated for the Instant Pot version.

Instant Pot Version Notes

  • Add in scotch bonnet or chilies if you would like some heat.
  • Jumbo/Maggi/Dole cubes are stock cubes used to flavour food in West Africa. They can be bought in shops selling ethnic foods. If you have access to these, you can use stock cubes plus water instead of the stock.
  • Warm stock comes to pressure faster.
  • Rice will stick a bit – decant rice from the inner pot immediately, soak inner pot for for 5-10 mins and wash clean.
  • You can try 4 mins for firmer rice or 6-7 mins for softer rice. Try and see which you prefer.

Weight Watchers Points in Instant Pot Jollof Rice

If you replace the 2 tbsp oil with a calorie-controlled cooking spray and increase the servings to 8 servings, there are 5 Blue Plan SmartPoints per serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 282kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 320mg | Potassium: 138mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 215IU | Vitamin C: 3.3mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 0.7mg

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Recipe Rating




25 Comments

  1. I made the instant pot version of this dish tonight but I constantly got the burn message on my IP. When I finally got it to an edible stage it was delicious and I would love to make it again but any tips to avoid the burn message? I did use some of the stock to deglaze the pan before I added the rice.

    1. I have found that the newer pots are more sensitive and give burn massages than the older instant pot model that i used for this. I will need to retest it. But my first tip would be to add an extra 1/2 to 3/4 cup of water when cooking it.

  2. step 1 for the instant pot instructions says “Mix together stock, tomato puree, coriander, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon and chilli in a jug and set aside.” however, chilli is not listed as an ingredient. how much to add?

  3. 5 stars
    This was so declious! I followed your recipe as written except for two modifications. I blended a red pepper with diced tomatoes for the tomato purée and then I added a few drops of liquid smoke to the purée. Not sure if this was authentic or not, but it was so delicious. Thank you so much!

  4. 5 stars
    Wow! Thank you for this recipe. I made the Instant Pot version with minor changes due to what I had (or didn’t have) on hand. I was a little worried that it was going to taste bland because my kitchen wasn’t really filled with aroma when I opened the lid, but was I wrong! I can imagine this being a great side dish to a number of different main dishes. Thanks again!

  5. Can I add coconut milk to the instant pot version? Would I have to adjust the time or amount of rice?

    1. I’d like to know the answer to this, too! I know you usually add milk at the end of many recipes in the Instant Pot. Is there a way to include it?

      1. I think this is possible as I have started cooking with the coconut milk in thr Instant Pot with no problem. I will need to retest this recipe with coconut milk 🙂

      2. I’d like to add some protein to this. Any suggestions for amount and adjusting the time for this? My favorite, made by a co-worker from Ghana, was with goat meat. It was sooo good. I’m sure you could sub chicken or any other protein as well. I was skeptical as this was the first time trying goat meat. It was really good.

    1. Sound lush Nayna. We would have this with an onion meat stew and plantains. I can never get enough of it.

  6. Wow this looks delicious! Only time I’ve had coconut milk to cook rice is coconut rice or sweet sticky rice (both vietnamese). I’m eager to try this out!

  7. I went to Ghana for 3 weeks in 2006, and we ate a lot of Jollof Rice. It was our favorite dish!

    1. Hi Adam,
      Please do try it and come back and let me know what you think. Jumbo cubes (like Maggi cubes) are a stock cubes used all across West Africa. You normally get it in shops selling ethnic foods. If you don’t have it you could replace the water with some vegetable stock. I will email you a picture.

  8. Hi Jay,
    I will have to try this with coriander soon. I am glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by.

  9. 5 stars
    Tried this today. I added half of a scotch pepper cause I like hot foods. also added a pinch of coriander. It was absolutely delicious. My boyfriend couldn’t get enough of it. Thanx very much for the recipe.