This easy, flavorful, and flawlessly cooked African classic oven-baked jollof rice is made simple by taking the easy way out. Just stir it all together in a casserole dish, and put it in the oven. With its well-seasoned goodness, including onion, garlic, and tomatoes with some nutritious veggies thrown in, it’s perfect for regular nights or special occasions!

Jollof rice is a legendary one-pot dish that’s ubiquitous in Senegal, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Liberia, Togo, and Sierra Leone. In fact, this is the most popular party food in West Africa and has been gaining momentum elsewhere in East Africa.
Because of its popularity, there have been several debates about its origin. What I know for sure is that it is an amazing one-pot dish, and there is no argument when everyone is shoving it down their throat.

Why Bake It
While the classic jollof rice, sometimes called jellof rice, is cooked in a flavorful tomato-infused broth on the stovetop, the no-stir method lets you set it and forget it while getting other things done. With just five minutes of prep time and no constant stirring involved, you can have your jellof and eat it too. Just so you know, there is no absolute right or wrong way to cook this popular African rice recipe.

How to Bake Easy Jollof Rice

- Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. Please do not use parboiled rice! Add all the ingredients to the baking dish or casserole pan.

- Cover with aluminum foil and pop it in a 350℉ (180℃) oven for 70-80 minutes.

Tips & Tricks
- People say not to wash your rice because you remove the enriching vitamins. However, you really don’t lose that much, and washing your rice before cooking makes it fluffier.
- Let the rice sit covered for about ten minutes after removing it from the oven so that the rice evenly absorbs the remaining moisture. Then fluff your deliciousness with a fork and enjoy.
- Everyone’s oven is different. So if your rice is still hard with excess liquid after 80 minutes, be patient and turn up the heat just a tad. It just means your oven runs a little cooler than mine does.
- If your pan is dry, heat up some broth or water and stir it in. You want the liquid you’re adding to be hot so that it doesn’t cool your rice down.
Make Ahead and Leftovers
Store any leftover jollof rice in the fridge in an airtight container. It should last 3-4 days easily. It also freezes well for 4-5 months. To reheat it, add a splash of water or chicken broth, cover it, and bake it in a preheated 350℉ (180℃) oven for around 20 minutes. Ready!
Watch How to Make It
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This post was first published in March 2014 and has been updated with beautiful photos, a video, and more tips and notes.




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