Air fryer Beef Suya

What is Suya?

Suya is a popular street food found across West Africa, particularly in Nigeria. It’s a delicious spicy skewered grilled meat recipe made by marinating beef in oil and a special spice blend also known as yaji.

The marinated beef is then threaded through wooden skewers or grilled without skewers on an out door locally made grill. The result is the well seasoned juicy beef suya loved by many. It is then Served with a garnish of onions and, tomatoes some times cucumbers and some sprinkle of yaji.

Like Jollof rice, Nigerian Suya or West African Suya has transcended borders and is not only enjoyed by the natives of the it’s original countries living in Diaspora but has carved out a niche for itself in the palates of other nationals.

Easy Air fryer beef Suya recipe

My easy Air fryer suya recipe is one you need to have in your recipe arsenal especially if you are a lover of good food and entertaining!. It’s made with a few ingredients that are readily available in stores or online. The only specialty ingredients needed is the yaji aka Suya spice which you can make or buy online.

If you are a DIY human, you can make your own blend of Suya spice at home using this recipe. The Spice blend is what makes these beef skewers taste amazing. One important thing though, this recipe isn’t for any one with peanut allergies because the spice blend contains peanuts which is what actually gives beef Suya it’s unique unbeatable taste.

Why you’ll love this recipe

The only reason not to love this recipe is if you’ve got peanuts or tree nut allergies if you don’t, here are the reason this Nigerian spicy beef skewers has remained on the top list of must try delicacies for tourists visiting the country. For the same reasons, you’ll enjoy making this in your air fryer and in the comfort of your home.

• It’s unique taste:
• Low carb
• Accessible ingredients

Suya spice contains peanuts. This recipe as is, is not suitable for people with peanuts or tree nuts allergies.

What ingredients are in Suya?

• Beef or any other meat of choice including chicken
• Suya spice (which usually consists of paprika, cayenne pepper, curry powder peanut powder, ginger etc)
• Stock powder or cubes
• Oil
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder

What is the best cut of meat for Suya?

To be honest any part of Beef works to make Suya. In Nigeria, all parts of the cow is usually used. Here I’ve used Sirloin steak, skirt steak, rib eye steak and they all came out delicious.

Making Suya in the oven

Prepare the raw meat as described previously and let marinate. When ready to cook, Preheat the oven to 400°F / 200°C / Gas mark 6.

Thread the meat on skewers, place in baking sheet and cook for 15 mins then flip meat and cook for another 10 mins or until fully cooke and internal temperature of meat reads 145°F / 74°C

How to make it on the grill.

Place skewered meat on a grill and grill for 20 mins or till fully cooked.

How to serve it

What are the best sides that pair well with Beef Suya? Besides being garnished with tomato, onion and cucumber slices, Suya can be served with coleslaw, French fries, Steak fries, Plantains, Potato slices or wedges.

It can be served with air fryer vegetables, rice, bread or salads. It makes for a great side dish, snack or appetizer.

How to store

Suya keeps well in the refrigerator or freezer. To store let it cool completely then store in an air tight container. You can remove the meat from the skewers by gently sliding the meats out.

It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to a week and will freeze for up to a month.

Reheating

It can be reheated in the microwave or air fryer. To reheat in the microwave, nuke at 30 seconds intervals till warmed through. For the air fryer reheat at 400°F / 200°C for 3 to 5 mins or until heated through.

Do you soak bamboo sticks before air frying

Bamboo sticks need to be soaked when cooking on a grill or oven to prevent the sticks from burning. Because the air frye cooks at a much faster time it may not necessarily have the same effect on bamboo skewers.

I have had great results with soaking and not soaking before use in my air fryer. However I would recommend you soak the sticks irrespective of your chosen method of cooking.

How long to soak skewers

Bamboo skewers should be soaked for at least 30 mins. Using hot water may help with getting it sticks absorb the moisture faster.

Air frying Tips

• When using wooden skewers on the outdoor grill and oven, it is advised that you soak the skewers in water for about 30 mins to prevent it from getting burnt. Because food takes a longer time to cook on a grill or oven the chances of the skewers getting burnt are high. On the contrary the air fryer cooks pretty fast and therefore very unlikely to do so. However it’s better safe than sorry so go ahead and soak the skewers before using.
• Alternatively use thicker wooden skewers or use metal skewers for skewered meat recipes.
• You can make Suya with beef strips instead of skewers. Simply place seasoned beef strips in the basket and cook.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make beef suya without skewers?

Definitely you can make Suya without the skewers. You can cook them in strips or small chunks after seasoning and marinating the meat.

Is Suya Red meat?

Beef, Pork or lamb suya if red meat Suya. However not all Suya recipes are red meat. Chicken or Turkey Suya isn’t red meat.

I have peanut allergy, can I use Suya spice?

Sadly you can’t eat Suya or use Suya spice if you have peanuts allergies. Peanuts are a major ingredient in Suya spice. Most people with peanut allergies tend to have tree nut allergies too and Vive versa. Therefore as amazing as this recipe is, please stay away from Suya if your have these allergies.