Ogbono Soup or Draw Soup, is a popular Nigerian soup recipe made with Ogbono Seeds(wild African bush mango seeds).
This is one of the first soup, after Okra soup, given to kids when trying to introduce them to Nigerian soups.
Ogbono soup has a mucilaginous (slimy) texture, similar to okra soup.
I like to cook mine with vegetables, and sometimes combine it with melon(egusi) seeds to get what is called Ogbono with Egusi soup.
But it is also common to see Ogbono soup cooked without vegetables. So whatever choice you make, here’s an easy recipe for you to try…Enjoy.
Ogbono Soup ingredients
- 2 handful of Ogbono Seeds OR 3 handful ground Ogbono powder
- Assorted Meat and Fish: (could be a mixture of any of these :Beef, cowfoot, Shaki(tripe),Ponmo(cow skin) DryFish & Stock Fish)
- 2-3 Cooking spoonful Palm Oil
- Vegetable :Spinach OR Pumpkin leaves(ugu) OR Bitter leaf(onugbu)..or a mixture of bitter leaf and Ugwu
- Crayfish(as you like it)
- 1 Onion bulb
- 2 stock cubes (seasoning cubes
- Chilli Pepper or scotch bonnet(atarodo) (to taste)
- Salt (to taste)
Cooking Directions for Ogbono Soup
**If you bought Whole ogbono seeds, Grind them thoroughly using a dry mill or a good blender or coffee grinder.
** Wash, season and cook the assorted meat, dry fish & stock fish with onions, stock cube and salt to taste. Cook until tender.
**Slice the vegetables, grind the pepper and set aside
Now to cook the Ogbono Soup…
- Heat up the red palm oil in a clean dry pot until hot. You can add minced onions if you like(adding onions is optional).
- Now, put off the heat and add the ground Ogbono into the hot oil.
Dissolve the ogbono by pressing with the back of your spoon and stirring constantly .
3. Now, put back on low heat, add a little water or meat stock, and leave to boil for a minute. You will notice that it has become thicker and has a slimy texture(it has started to ”draw”) .
4. Add more of the meat stock or water and leave to boil for 10 minutes; Stir the soup constantly so that it does not burn at the bottom.
Then add the boiled dry fish, stock fish, assorted meat , stock cube, pepper, the ground crayfish and salt to taste.
5. Mix well , cover and leave to simmer for about 10 minutes, you should check on it and stir the soup constantly to prevent burning.
6. At this stage , you will notice the change in the aroma of the soup. Stir and add the shredded spinach or ugu (fluted pumpkin leaves)
Simmer for 1-2 minute and put of the heat. Now your Ogbono soup is ready.
Ogbono soup is usually served hot with any Nigerian bolus meal, such as Eba, Fufu, Pounded Yam, Tuwo Masara, Wheat meal or Semolina…Enjoy!
Other Related Recipes
* Bitter leaf Soup (Ofe Onugbu)
* Nigerian Beef Stew
* Banga Soup : Urhobo Isoko Banga Soup Recipe
* Nigerian Chicken Stew
* How to Cook Okazi Soup (Ukazi Soup)
* Obe Ata Dindin : Nigerian Fried Pepper Stew
* How to Cook Edikang Ikong Soup
* Nigerian Tomato Stew(Vegan Stew)
* How to Cook Afang Soup
* Nigerian Pepper Soup
* Nigerian Okra Soup
* Nigerian Fish Stew (Obe Eja Tutu)
* How to Cook Nigerian Egusi Soup(Ofe Egusi/Obe Efo Elegusi)
This is awesome
Author
Thank you Bello
Thanks you are really helpful.
Author
You’re welcome Francis
I really appreciate this, God bless u
Author
Thank you so much
Thanks for your teaching
. I learnt alot
Author
You’re welcome
Thanks
Author
You’re welcome
Nky Lily thank you so much. You. Made cooking in the kitchen so exciting & Easy for me. You are the best. I love you.
Author
Thanks for your sweet feedback, I’m so glad to be of help.
And hope to hear more from you Eunny 🙂
Author
Thanks for taking the time to comment Eunny
You are so sweet 🙂
I love ur blog. I tried this out for the first time and it came out nice. Keep the good work sis. Thanks
Author
Thanks for you nice feedback Delight, hope you check out our new recipe here https://youtu.be/b08DXm6wGWw
Weldone Nky please how can I subscribe to this page for me to be able to access it anytime instead of searching on google always. Thanks will b waiting for ur reply
Author
Hi Opeyemi, if you are using a deasktop/laptop, there is a subscribe button at the top left corner(sidebar) of this page, but if using mobile, you can find it at the bottom of the page.
And don’t forget to check your email and confirm your subscription. Cant wait to have you with us.:)
Enter your comment…pls can I also use meat stock already seasoned with curry to make my ogbono?
Author
Yes you can. The taste of the ogbono will overpower it, don’t worry.
I cooked my Ogbono but it did not draw !:( I don't know what I did or how can I reverse it 🙁 🙁
Pls Wat stage should I put d Ogili Openyi?? Waiting now,Thanks
Author
At step 5 Gineeka.
Pls Wat stage should I put d Ogili Openyi?? Waiting now,Thanks
Hello Sister. Please, what is wrong. my Ogbono sometimes doesn't draw and does not come out Heavy(thick). some said the oil is too hot and that fries out the slimy quality. is this correct or could there be other factors responsible.
Author
Yes, Adewunmi they are right, , very hot oil can affect the texture, but if you make use of bad ogbono(old ogbono), it can also affect the viscosity and taste of the soup. Some people will also tell you that it is because you covered the pot, but that has been proven to not really affect it much.
As for the heavy /thick texture you have to make use of less liquid in your cooking.
Please can I use ugwu and uziza leaves together?
Author
Daysawlah, yes you can.
Please can i mix ugwu and uzazi leaves with the ogbonna
Can some one use dry pepper or cameroon pepper in cooking the ogbona?
Author
Lolade Judith, yes you can, cameroon pepper is even the best for Ogbono soup.
Aunty, whoever you are, may your pot if soup never be empty, first time of cooking Ogbono soup with your recipe and I can't stop admiring Ogbono majesty. Thank you And remain blessed
Author
Hi Henrietta. Thanks for your lovely feedback, I’m glad you enjoyed it.
please nky when can we put ogiri
Hi Nky, pls which is healthier btw Garri, semovita and semolina, esp for someone that wants to lose weight. Thanks
Author
Hi Lexy. Semovita/semolina is preferred to Garri, but should be eaten in moderation.
Hi Nky, pls I'll like to know which is healthier, garri, semovita and semolina esp for someone that wants to shed weight. Thanks
Can you use smoked shrimp instead of crayfish in this soup?
Author
Yes Fifi, you can.
Can you use smoked shrimp instead of crayfish in this soup?
Author
Yes you can.
Fantastic recipe. My ogbono Came out well. Thank you Nky
Author
Hi Noble. Thanks for your nice feedback,I’m glad it came out well.
Lete… Pls is Der any other method of preparing draw soup??? Bcos my friend told me I can start with water instead of oil…. And if starting with water is yet another method… Am I to let the water get boiled b4 adding d ogbono or I'm just to add it to the water at that instant…. Pls help meeeee
I haven't tried that method before,but I know some people boil there ground ogbono instead of frying, maybe that is the method your friend uses.
I just cooked this for the first time tonight for my Yoruba-Nigerian husband. It was great!!! When adding spinach, I used leftover vegetable soup from the night before to prevent wasting it. I also added some locust beans because I remember my mother-in-law cooking it that way when she made it for us a while back. Ese gun Auntie Flo. I will definitely be making this again and again.
Her name is Nky , I used to confuse them too since they both cook so well , but Nky takes the time to answer every comment in her blog, she is exceptional.xoxo
Author
Thanks BISI
Thanks for your lovely feedback Addison,I`m glad u enjoyed it 🙂
Great post!Thank you
You're welcome Susan 🙂
I just made this soup this morning and it turned out really well!! I am SO proud of myself. Aunty, thank you for this recipe. It was very easy to follow and I'm sure that when I make it again it will be even better. I used cow leg, turkey leg, stock fish, and fresh tilapia. I love the way my apartment smells. I sent pics of my finished product to my aunts in Naija and received a couple of "nne well done. you are trying!" lol. I do think the recipe asks for too much sodium but it didn't ruin the dish. I will definitely reduce the amount the next time, but everything else will remain the same. SO proud of this dish. Can't wait for my guy to try it.
Hi Mya , so sorry for the late response, you just made my day hun. As for the salt, feel free to adjust to taste and thanks for the feedback''nne well done '' 🙂
Hello, your blog is lovely! i love ogonna! do i have to peel the ogbonna seeds before milling?
Thanks Lola,you dont have to peel it 🙂
Just tried it wonderful i am so happy tht i did it even hubby was si happy we dis it together following Ur own wat
Thanks hun, for your lovely feedback 🙂
I ve never cooked ogbono in m'y life my hubby always do the cooking wen it comes to 9ija soupe coz i am not from 9ija but like to learn .so its been a wk i sais to mystère lf enough is enough i sent on all the sites checkin .hubby wasnt convinced i can do it .so he did all the grinding n i did the cooking but he never let my side he funny part of it is he kept asking so wat nextt n now wat do we do coz i was following ur method .guess wat the soup is yammlycious even hubby surrenderd i am so happy n proud of myself .thank u sooo sooo Much iam looking forward to make more soups.i woulent have done it wthout ur guidlines
Aww, you just made my day with your lovely feedback.Keep me updated on any other soups you cook.Keep it up dearie 🙂
Just finished reading. Its time to practice what I just read. So help me God.
🙂
Tanks a lot for showing concern to our bellies, ma'm. My area of concern has always bn d startn.i put d oil into d pot first, let it loosen up nd den I put n d grind ogbono to fry after which I put n d stock water nd all oda sorts but only to realize dat d elasticity m awaitnisnt forth comn. lol…I den tnk dat mayb I put n too much oil for d quantity of ogbono I put n it. So my question s ds, s there n actulay quantity of red oil required for a specific amount of ogbono or as much oil as ur heart desires? lol… but jokes apart, pls. I rily nid help here. I don't dey embaras myself 4 kitchen.
LOL.. Don,t worry, we have all experienced some cooking fails too.One thing you should kno dearie is that,there should be moderation in everything you use, so next time use the amount of palm oil as directed in the recipe.But that aside, always make sure to use fresh ogbono, because ogbono can also lose its viscosity if it has been ground and left sitting in your cupboard for months and make sure you don't fry it too much before adding the stock, cos it can also get burnt and lose its''draw draw '' factor naa 🙂
I never fried ogbono cos i believe it will get burn .. the method you start with is ok for heating the oil and the ogbono ..but what i do most time is i put the blended ogono with oil in a steel plate then place it an hot water or place the steel plate in the meat while boiling .. then secondly ..i never cover ogbono when cooking because it will me the soup more watery and it will reduce the draw .
Author
That’s good to know Emmie 🙂
Not only are you a great teacher but you are the most polite lady who takes her time to reply to every post. I sincerely appreciate your help. Thank you. And trust me you are a life saver
Thanks Oyinda, you are so sweet, hope to see more of you here 🙂
Just tried your ogbono recipe. Turned out awesome. Thanks!
You're welcome hun 🙂
Nice recipe…actually am always scared to cook ogbono cos d first time I tried it, it was a disaster nd since den I never liked it but this time am going to make my own ogbono with your own style….great job
thanks and I'm sure you will get it right and enjoy it , with this recipe.
What if I don't have red oil, what other option do I have, can I use groundnut oil n tomatoes?
A lot of folks use that, so feel free to do the same, but be aware that you won't get that unique taste that palm oil gives to our traditional soups 🙂
Great post dear, you rock and kill it. Tnks
🙂
Pls,I sincerely appreciate you but if want to use egusi and ogbono,how do I go about it.that's what I wana prepare now..waiting for your reply
here dearie https://www.nigerianfoodtv.com/2014/12/ogbono-and-egusi-soup-how-to-cook.html
what makes the ogbono soup red in colour
red? this ogbono is not red in colour, maybe the one you saw has too much oil in it.
Ok if u say so,I ll try covering it next tym,bt if my soup spoil na yawa
LOL.. don't worry you'll see how great it will come out. Make sure you buy good ogbono seeds, because the old ones does not ''draw'' that much .
Hello dear thanx for d recipe,but u dnt cover ogbono soup while cooking so it won't loss its elasticity
That's what we are told, but it has been tried and tested and it's not really true dearie.
Beautiful ,, I love this , right now am going to cook ogbono soup.
thanks hun 🙂
Can you add coco yam? And if so, at what point of the cooking process and how should I put it in? Also, thank you for the recipes, they have been a hit with the family. 🙂
Cocoyam in ogbono soup? I haven't tried or heard of this combo before, why not save the cocoyam for bitter leaf soup. I don't think it will dissolve well in ogbono soup.Thanks for your lovely feedback hun 🙂
well done now i can try cooking at home and stop eating outside mama pot
Exactly dearie, I'm glad to be of help 🙂
Cann u add okpei
Yes you can add ogiri okpei 🙂
Kudos for a good job. God bless you for taking it upon yourself to show us all these mouth-watering delicacies. Already salivating!
Thanks Kemi 🙂