Gambian jollof rice secret ingredient list
Every ingredient — quantities included — plus the ChopJollof-original secret that sets Gambia jollof apart. Printable.
The complete Gambian jollof rice secret ingredient list for 6 servings. Includes all standard ingredients with exact quantities, the ChopJollof-coined secret (not found in any published recipe), chicken variation notes, and where to source ingredients locally in Gambia.
At a glance
Gambian jollof rice secret ingredient list
- 500gLong-grain or broken rice
Either works for benachin — broken gives a stickier result.
- 3Fresh tomatoes
- 2Red bell peppers
- 2Scotch bonnet peppers
- 2White onions
- 2 tbspTomato paste
- 100mlVegetable oil
- 600gFirm white fish (bone-in)
Goes in with the rice. Never removed during cooking.
- 2 cubesMaggi seasoning cubes
- 1 tspDried thyme
- 3Bay leaves
- ½ tspGround black pepper
- to tasteSalt
- 10 minThree-rinse dry — rinse broken rice three times, spread to air-dry 10 minutes before cooking★ chopjollof secret
The dry-surface grain absorbs the base more evenly and produces the characteristic benachin grain quality that separates it from mushy home attempts.
Gambian jollof rice with chicken — what changes
Benachin with chicken: swap fish for bone-in chicken thighs. Keep the all-in-one technique — the chicken cooks in the pot from the start alongside the rice. Do not remove it.
Sourcing ingredients in Gambia
In Banjul, broken or long-grain rice is available at the Albert Market. Smoked oysters and dried fish are sold at the riverside fish market.
Outside Gambia, most of these ingredients are available at West African, Caribbean, or international grocery stores. Online suppliers ship niche items like netetou, crayfish, and specialty peppers worldwide.
Gambian benachin secret ingredient list — chopjollof.com
Frequently asked
What is the secret ingredient in Gambian jollof rice?
The ChopJollof-original secret for Gambia jollof is: Three-rinse dry — rinse broken rice three times, spread to air-dry 10 minutes before cooking. This is not a commonly published tip — it was developed through repeated testing by ChopJollof's kitchen team.
What are all the ingredients in Gambian jollof rice?
The main ingredients are: Long-grain or broken rice, Fresh tomatoes, Red bell peppers, Scotch bonnet peppers, White onions, Tomato paste, Vegetable oil, Firm white fish (bone-in), Maggi seasoning cubes, Dried thyme, Bay leaves, Ground black pepper, Salt, Three-rinse dry — rinse broken rice three times, spread to air-dry 10 minutes before cooking.
How do I make Gambian jollof rice with chicken?
Benachin with chicken: swap fish for bone-in chicken thighs. Keep the all-in-one technique — the chicken cooks in the pot from the start alongside the rice. Do not remove it.
Where can I buy the ingredients for Gambian jollof rice in Gambia?
In Banjul, broken or long-grain rice is available at the Albert Market. Smoked oysters and dried fish are sold at the riverside fish market.
Can I print this Gambian jollof rice ingredient list as a PDF?
Yes. Use your browser's print function (Ctrl+P or Cmd+P) and select "Save as PDF." The list is formatted to print cleanly on A4 or Letter paper. Gambian benachin secret ingredient list — chopjollof.com
How many people does this Gambian jollof rice recipe serve?
This list is calibrated for 6 servings. Scale all quantities proportionally for larger groups.
Other country lists
Every ChopJollof country has its own secret ingredient list.
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