This buka stew is the classic yoruba stew that has been made popular by local buka joints in western Nigeria. The distinctive characteristic of the stew come from the use of palm oil and open flame cooking. It’s traditionally prepared with numerous parts of cow which are deep fried before being added to the stew.
This is an authentic recipe that was passed down to me by a great aunt. When she shared the recipe, she made a point of telling me no two buka recipes taste the same for a great reason; because it’s more of an art than a science. The sellers often go for whatever is cheapest a the point of shopping. I like to be very particular with my cooking, so this recipe was developed, tried and approved . Do try it and let me know how it goes.
Ingredient
(Part A)
- 2 large red bell peppers (Tatashe)
- 2 large green bell peppers (green tatashe)
- 1 large red onion (chopped)
- 3 large tomatoes
- 2 scotch Bonnet peppers (Ata Rodo)
(Part B)
- 1/2 small red onion (chopped)
- Meat (goat meat, ponmo, shaki (tripe), panla (dried cod) and any other choice of meat)- Pre-cooked
- 4 Boiled eggs (optional)
- 1 cup palm oil
- 3 cubes Knorr or maggi
- Salt to taste
Direction
- Combine Part AÂ in a blender or food processor, puree to a fine paste
- Pour the pureed mixture into a medium pot, set on high heat. Cook for 20mins to remove excess water.
- Alternatively you can microwave the mixture for 10 minutes on high.
- Alternatively you can microwave the mixture for 10 minutes on high.
- Set a large pot on medium heat, add in half of the palm oil , bleach for about 2-5 minutes, add in the chopped onions and fry until dark. Remove and discard the onions.
- Add in the parboiled pureed mixture, ½ – 1 cup water (depending on how thick you like your stew), Knorr cubes and salt. Simmer for 15 minutes
- Reduce the heat to below medium, add in the precooked meat and eggs (if using). Combine. Taste and adjust for seasoning.
- Cover and simmer for another 10 minutes. Add in the left over palm oil
- Cover and simmer for another 5 minutes. The stew is ready to serve when oil floats to the top.
Serve on white rice or as a sauce for Okele.
Enjoy
I am Igbo but have enjoyed abula anywhere I meet it. I have always wanted to make it with the authentic fresh pepper and tomato abula stew that isn’t fried like the recipes I see online. It’s January 2024 and I just tried this recipe. Omo this is ‘it’. Thank you. Madam LIN, Atare, 9jafoodie, jollofcode. You deserve MFR from Tinubu for your services to Nigerian food
Pls, am craving for amala too much in this trimester. Can I use this stew for amala? Is this that stew they mix with ewedu when they serve amala?
Yes,you can
More than 5years later, I’m back again! Just want to say God bless you, everybody loves it when I cook this stew, back to refresh so I’m not missing any steps
Hello! Thank you so much for this recipe, a quick question, please why do the onions have to get burnt and be removed?
I think it’s just for the oil to be onion-flavoured.
I tried it today including dried round fish, n it was DELISH. My pregnant neighbour couldn’t stop eating. Thanks.
I am in New york and the person we rely on for cooking disappointed us so i want to show my cooking skill but i dont have recipi 4 boiling meat
Gud day I just made dis ,thanks to ur recipe and guidelines. It was amaziinnnnnggggg .wondering why I hadn’t tried it since. Love it. Thank u.
awesome! THANKS for the feedback.
What meat did you cook with here? Looks great!!
This has too much oil which is not good for you. This is the reason the average Nigerian suffers from stroke, heart disease and other related diseases. We should be using less oil and everything in moderation
Okkk, no one touted this as healthy. You are, however, at liberty to cook what you please or select from any of the other healthy recipes available on this site…or elsewhere.
My DEAR!
What is this Sagar frothing about? Where did you get your statistics re: stroke and Nigerians? Here we go again with some ignoramus pushing an opinion as fact. Who told you palm oil is unhealthy? Go cook with sand then!
When it’s Americans eating cheese with everything, he or she is trying to make their opinion fact, Nigerians may be the healthiest people because of our lifestyle and naturals foods, majority of our foods are not canned or processed in the factory , so mr man or Mrs woman, get your facts right!
Pls d palm oil added after everything is it part of d heated 1 r just straight from d bottle?
Am definitely going to try this out. Am an Igbo girl and I live in the east I have never tried any recipe except my traditional recipes and the Western recipes, I think am up for some food adventure! I know my husband will like this. Thanks.
He sure will! do let us know how it turns out.
I tried it and the aroma was inviting it was served on oke le and letter rice. Thanks so much keep the good work on.
Awesome! thanks for the feedback
Just happened to stumble on this blog while looking for moi-moi recipe. I must say, its fantastic.I tried the buka stew this night couldn’t wait till morning and it turned out really well. Im so excited about trying out a lot more. Thank you sooooooooooo much!
Please do you have the recipe for sea food okro?
awww, thanks much for the feedback. Yes we do, you can find it here
Pls d palm oil added after everything is it part of d heated 1 r just straight from d bottle?
Please 9jafoodie can you do a post of how to make the okro sauce, the one in this post (https://instagram.com/p/2Wjl5BQPVg/?taken-by=9jafoodie). I am soooo looking forward to making this.
Just wanted to say fantastic work with everything. Your site is my numero uno and only for cooking authentic Nigerian delicacies. :-)
Thank you much. Sure thing! I will add the recipe.
Sounds delicious, it’s just difficult to get some of the meat stuffs here.
where is here?
This Christmas is for me and your blog. Expect feedback. Congrats on having Ara; she’s adorable.
Thank you so very much. looking forward to feedback!
This is so cool I luv u 9jafoodie
we love you too :)
Must it always be green pepper? Can I substitute for yellow pepper instead of green or it doesn’t give the same result?
Secondly can I use vegetable oil instead of palm oil?
The red pepper is the most important part.. substitute yellow or orange peppers with the green. You can use vegetable oil but the taste wont be the same.
Hubby enjoying my food more,thnks to u!!!!!!! My num.1 Naija recipe book. God bless u more.
amen amen .. happy cooking
Will make this for hubby this weekend!
Let me know how it turns out
Wow dis looks good cant wait to try it
let us know how it turns out
We can spell we promise :) *Nigerian
We featured your buka stew recipe in our 10 essential niegrian dishes to know :)
http://dvees.wordpress.com/2014/06/06/10-essential-nigerian-dishes-to-know-part-2/
Did you add peanut oil in your recipe?
No I did not
The left over palm oil you pour after putting the pre cooked meat has it been heated before now .
Would like to try this and cook it for my bf…but i don’t know what are these different oils, im not Nigerian but my bf is so i want to surprise him
I have heard some people use Annato oil for flavoring and color instead of Palm oil…I’ve never tried is though, o!
Should I add the boiled egg in whole to the stew or should I cube it up before I put it in? Thank you!!
what if you do not eat palm oil for health reason is there a way you can still get the taste using an alternative? or just none?
You can try with Groundnut oil… but you need palm oil for the authentic taste
Wow, so mouth watery yet so deadly!
Is there a way to cut down on the frying and the palm oil in the main pot without clogging up our arteries?
Do Half palm oil, half groundnut oil.
What’s the egg for?
I believe its optional. Some people* put eggs in everything :D
It’s added into the soup with other proteins
Me likey! Wanna have this now. Can I ve some dear?
Omg,tried it yesterday.
PERFECT!!!
Bless you. Xx
Happy for you!
If you are using Palm Oil, you do not need peanut oil .It’s one or the other. For a more authentic flavor, use fresh tomatoes blended with onions, celery, e.t.c .Tomato paste or puree should be added and let simmer for a good hour to take that tart taste off. now you have an authentic stew.
Thanks for your comment. Peanut oil and palm oil both add to the flavor profile of the stew.
Tomato paste and celery have no place in local stew.
okay, So I’m staarring hard at how delicious this must taste and all of a sudden I’m smelling this obe ata through my computer screen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So trying this…………Never thought of adding the eggs
Let us know how it turns out.
okay, So I am working at work and all of a sudden I’m smelling this obe ata through my computer screen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So trying this now
I made the sauce for egusi first –which was delicious. Then I used the remaining sauce for a stew a few days later. What a time saver to make ahead and store!!!! Thank you!!!
You are welcome
Thank you. Thank you… Thank you…. was scouring the internet for this all day
You are welcome madam
I wish i can have dis now
I will DHL some your way.
Mouth watering!!
Now I need to drag myself out of bed and go cook something :o)
Lol…. I have missed you!!
I just finished cooking this awesome stew, thanks a lot for the recipe
Great! you are welcome
Just want 2 know if I can use gnut oil at d initial stage instead of bleaching palm oil. Then add d palm oil later