Recipe: Authentic Nigerian Ewa Agoyin & Agoyin Sauce Recipe

Ewa Agoyin is a Yoruba dish and a well-known street food in Lagos, Nigeria. “Ewa” simply means “Beans” in Yoruba, whereas “Agoyin” is a term used by Nigerians to describe how people from neighboring countries, especially the Benin republicans, Togolese, and Cotonus, prepare their bean meals. The Ewa Agoyin dish is made from cooked and mashed beans and served with the Sauce, a spicy and savory sauce made by frying onions and pepper in palm oil.

These two dishes are often enjoyed together and have become a staple in Nigerian cuisine. They warm the hearts of many and are the next best thing to the famous Nigerian “Party Jollof.”

The Mouthwatering Ewa Agoyin and Agoyin Sauce Recipe 

Preparing Ewa Agoyin is easy, but making the Ewa Agoyin Sauce? Now, that’s the real deal. But no worries! I’m here to make it easy for you in a few simple steps with my mouth-watering Ewa Agoyin and Agoyin Sauce recipe. 

Kitchen tools needed 

• A medium-sized pot
• Saucepan
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Tablespoon
• Medium-sized measuring cup
• Electric pepper blender
• Beater or potato masher
• Spatula or wooden spoon

Ingredients for Ewa Agoyin

• 3 cups black-eyed beans or honey beans 
• 6-8 cups water
• Salt to taste

Ingredients for Ewa Agoyin Sauce

• 1 medium onion bulb (blended or sliced in long strands)
• 4 medium fresh red bell peppers  (tatashe)
• 4 medium fresh scotch bonnets (Ata Rodo)
• 3 fresh chilies (Shombo)
• I cup mixed dried peppers (Piri Piri, Tatashe, Cameroon, and Cayenne pepper) 
• I tablespoon dried chili pepper seeds (optional)
• 1 and ½ cup palm oil 
• 1-2 seasoning cubes
• ½ tablespoon blended ginger and garlic (optional)
• 3 tablespoons dried blended crayfish
• Salt to taste.

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How to cook Ewa Agoyin

1. Pick and wash your beans properly.
2. Put the beans in a pot and add enough water to cover the beans by about 2 inches and boil on medium-low heat.
3.  Allow the beans to simmer until they are soft, for about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
4. Add salt to taste.  
5. Drain any excess water and transfer the beans to a bowl. 
6. Mash the beans with a potato masher, beater, or fork until they are smooth and creamy, and your Ewa Agoyin is ready!

How to make the Ewa Agoyin Sauce

Now for the real deal: Agoyin Sauce. To make Agoyin Sauce, you need peppers—lots of them.  So brace yourself for the heat!

1. First, soak your dried peppers for 2-6 hours until plump, then blend to a rough texture. 

If you can’t find the mixture of dried peppers for this recipe where you reside, you can use just dried chilies instead. They are widely available in supermarkets as acho, mulato, and chipotle peppers.  

2. Blend your fresh peppers, onions, and crayfish, and get ready to start frying!
3. Pour the palm oil into a heated saucepan over medium heat and allow to fry for 5 minutes. Do Not Bleach! 
4. Add the onion (and minced ginger and ginger if using) and fry until the onion is translucent about 5 minutes.
5. Add the blended peppers and stir for about 5 minutes. 
6. Season the sauce with salt, blended crayfish, and seasoning cubes. Stir and allow to simmer to infuse that Agoyin aroma.
7. Reduce the heat to low and fry for about 30 minutes, and stir frequently to prevent burning. By this time, the sauce is already turning dark, which is what we want. 
8. Add the dried chili seeds (optional), and stir to make them darker and gritty.
9. Keep stirring till you get your desired color and texture and your Ewa Agoyin Sauce is ready! 
10. Serve the Ewa Agoyin with the Agoyin sauce on top, and enjoy!

Watch Sisi Jemimah cook Ewa Agoyin and Ewa Agoyin Sauce. Jemimah Adeniyi is a beautiful Nigerian woman who loves to develop delicious Nigerian recipes and share them with the world.

Creative ways to Enjoy your Ewa Agoyin Sauce

Ewa Agoyin and Agoyin sauce are traditionally served with Agege bread or boiled white rice, but there are many other ways you can enjoy them. 

Here are a few suggestions:

1. In a wrap:

You can wrap your meal in a tortilla or pita bread for a handheld meal.

2. With noodles:

Enjoy your Ewa Agoyin and Agoyin sauce over a bed of noodles, such as spaghetti or udon.

3. With plantains: 

You can serve your Ewa Agoyin and Agoyin sauce with fried plantains for a sweet and savory combination.

4. With yam:

Ewa and Agoyin Sauce is always a killer with boiled or fried yam.

5. With veggies: 

You can serve your Ewa Agoyin and Agoyin sauce with steamed vegetables, such as broccoli, green beans, or asparagus, for a healthier option.

Remember, the possibilities are endless! Be creative and enjoy your meal in a way that suits your taste. 

Try this recipe, and let me know what you love most about it in the comments.

Read Also: Africans Eat These Foods & Drinks to Stay Healthy

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