Plantain Porridge Recipe: A Comforting, Light Dinner You’ll Love 🍲
Looking for a quick, filling, and flavourful evening meal?
Plantain porridge (also called Plantain Pottage) is a classic Nigerian dish made with unripe, ripe or semi-ripe plantains simmered in a rich, savoury sauce of palm oil, crayfish, and vegetables.
It’s warm, colourful, and full of flavour, a meal that always brings that home-cooked comfort to your table. simple, wholesome, and packed with nutrients, convenient for an easy weekday meal or cozy weekend evening.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what to gather before you start:
🍌 6 fingers of plantain (unripe, ripe or semi-ripe, adjust quantity of each to your sweetness preference)
🥄 ¼ cup of palm oil
🦐 1–2 tbsp of ground crayfish
🧂 1–2 tsp of salt
🧊 1 seasoning cube
🍽️ 1 medium-sized okpei (locust bean), optional but adds a deep, traditional flavour
🌶️ Pepper to taste
🐟 1–2 pieces of dry fish (washed and deboned) or chicken or chicken breast; you choose
🧅 1–2 medium-sized onions
🌿 1 bundle of vegetables (ugu, scent leaf, or spinach, your choice)
Preparation Steps
Peel and cube the plantains into bite-sized pieces.
Slice the onions to your preferred size, cover and set aside.
Wash and chop your vegetables, keeping them ready for the final stage.
If using whole crayfish or okpei, grind them together with your pepper.
How to Cook Plantain Porridge
In a medium-sized pot, place your cubed plantains and pour in water, just enough to cover them, plus a little extra.
Add all your ingredients except the onions and vegetables.
Set on medium heat and allow to cook for about 20 minutes.
Stir the porridge gently, cover again and let it simmer for another 5-7 minutes.
Add your sliced onions, stir, and continue cooking for about 5 minutes more until the aroma deepens.
Finally, add your vegetables, stir well, and turn off the heat.
Let it rest for a few minutes before serving, this helps to thicken the porridge and the flavours blend beautifully.
Time to Serve!
Serve your plantain porridge hot with any chilled drink of your choice, zobo, smoothie, or a simple glass of cold water.
It’s a perfect dinner idea when you want something light, tasty, and satisfying.
Tips for the Best Recipe Flavour
Use semi-ripe plantains if you prefer a balanced mix of sweetness and starch.
Add smoked fish or prawns for deeper flavour.
For a lighter texture, reduce the palm oil slightly.
- For extra porridge thickness/creaminess, mash some of the plantains in a bowl and add back to the pot while cooking before adding the onions.
Always add the onions towards the end of the cooking and vegetables last to retain their colour and nutrients.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Quick and easy to prepare
Budget-friendly
Perfect for weeknights
100% wholesome and comforting
Read Also: You will love this Meal Storage tip for Staying Organized
📌 Save This Recipe for Later!
If you love traditional African dishes that are simple yet deeply satisfying, pin this post and try it soon!
It’s one of those comforting, healthy plantain recipes that never go out of style.
This easy African dinner recipe features a hearty and healthy plantain porridge, one of the most loved Nigerian plantain recipes you can make at home.
