Suya (Spiced Beef Skewers)

Name: Suya (Spiced Beef Skewers)
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: West African
Ingredients: 2 lbs beef sirloin or flank steak, sliced thin; 1/2 cup dry-roasted peanuts, finely ground (or peanut flour), finely ground; 2 tbsp smoked paprika; 2 tsp ground ginger; 2 tsp garlic powder; 2 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp cayenne pepper; 1.5 tsp kosher salt; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 red onion, thinly sliced; 4 roma tomatoes, sliced

West African street food classic of thinly sliced beef coated in a bold spice rub of ground peanuts, ginger, and paprika, then grilled over high heat until charred at the edges.

45 minMediumServes 6320 cal/serving

West AfricanAppetizerGrillHigh ProteinLow CarbGluten-FreeDairy-FreeEgg-FreePork-Free

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Ingredients

2 lbs beef sirloin or flank steak, sliced thin
1/2 cup dry-roasted peanuts, finely ground (or peanut flour), finely ground
2 tbsp smoked paprika
2 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1.5 tsp kosher salt
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 red onion, thinly sliced
4 roma tomatoes, sliced

Instructions

1

If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before grilling.
2

In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup finely ground dry-roasted peanuts, finely ground (or peanut flour), 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 2 tsp ground ginger, 2 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, and 1.5 tsp kosher salt to make the suya spice rub.
3

Slice 2 lbs sliced thin beef sirloin or flank steak across the grain into thin strips about 1/4 inch thick. Toss with 2 tbsp vegetable oil, then coat thoroughly with the spice rub.
4

Thread the spiced beef strips onto skewers, weaving them so the meat lies flat.
5

Preheat grill to high heat (450-500°F). Grill the skewers for 3-4 minutes per side until the beef is cooked through to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) and edges are lightly charred.
6

Serve hot with 1 thinly sliced red onion and 4 sliced roma tomatoes. Sprinkle additional suya spice over the top if desired.

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Questions

What oven temperature does Suya (Spiced Beef Skewers) need?

For Suya (Spiced Beef Skewers), the oven is set to 500 F (about 260 C) in step 5. The target internal temperature is 145 F (about 65 C), given in step 5. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

Why soak the skewers for Suya (Spiced Beef Skewers)?

Step 1 reads: "If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before grilling." Dry wood burns. The soak in step 1 keeps the skewers from catching over the heat; metal skewers need none.

Can I use another cut instead of flank steak in Suya (Spiced Beef Skewers)?

Flank, skirt, hanger and flat iron swap freely at the same weight. Slice whichever you use across the grain, or it eats tough. As written, the entry for Suya (Spiced Beef Skewers) uses 2 lbs beef sirloin or flank steak, sliced thin.

Can I make Suya (Spiced Beef Skewers) less spicy?

Yes. The heat in Suya (Spiced Beef Skewers) comes from 1 tsp cayenne pepper. For a milder plate, halve the cayenne; nothing else in the method changes.

How much protein is in Suya (Spiced Beef Skewers)?

One serving (the recipe makes 6) has 35 g of protein in about 320 calories, alongside 8 g carbohydrate and 18 g fat, plus 1 g fiber and 420 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list. More like it: the high-protein appetizer collection.

Which part of Suya (Spiced Beef Skewers) can be done ahead?

Everything up to step 1. Step 1 is a built-in pause of 30 minutes: "If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before grilling." Do everything up to that point ahead of time and pick up at step 2 when you are ready to finish.

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