Vegan Efo Riro

Discover the vibrant flavors of West Africa with this Vegan Efo Riro, a plant-based twist on the traditional Nigerian spinach stew! Bursting with the rich, smoky essence of palm oil, a medley of fresh spinach, mushrooms, and a bold pepper-tomato blend, this dish is both nutrient-packed and irresistibly savory. Infused with aromatic ginger, garlic, and a touch of scotch bonnet heat, it’s a hearty, satisfying meal perfect for pairing with rice, yam, or your favorite side. Ready in just 45 minutes, this one-pot vegan recipe delivers authentic taste with a wholesome and cruelty-free spin—ideal for weeknight dinners or a comforting weekend treat.

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams fresh spinach
• 2 large red bell peppers
• 2 medium tomatoes
• 1 large onion
• 1 scotch bonnet pepper
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 inch piece ginger
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 3 tablespoons palm oil
• 250 grams mushrooms
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground crayfish (optional for flavor)
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon bouillon powder (vegan)

Directions

Step 1

Wash and roughly chop the spinach, set aside.

Step 2

Roughly chop the red bell peppers and tomatoes. Add them to a blender with the scotch bonnet, garlic cloves, and ginger. Blend until smooth.

Step 3

Slice the onion thinly and clean and slice the mushrooms.

Step 4

In a large pot, heat the palm oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 5

Add the blended pepper mixture to the pot and stir well. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reduces and thickens.

Step 6

Stir in the vegetable broth, salt, smoked paprika, bouillon powder, and optional ground crayfish. Allow this to simmer for another 5 minutes.

Step 7

Add the sliced mushrooms to the pot and cook for about 5 minutes or until the mushrooms are tender.

Step 8

Finally, add the chopped spinach in handfuls, stirring continuously until it wilts and is well incorporated. Cook for another 3 minutes.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot with your choice of accompaniment like rice or yam.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1795.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1023.8

Total Fat 56.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 23.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.1g
Cholesterol 9mg	0%
Sodium 4135.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 102.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 30.5g	0%
Total Sugars 39.5g
Protein 33.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 541.9mg	0%
Iron 18.1mg	0%
Potassium 3420.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 48.5%

Protein: 12.7%

Carbs: 38.9%