Light Nigerian Food for Dinner: Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten-Free Recipes

Light Nigerian Food for dinner is an article about the best recipes for fair Nigerian food. Soft Nigerian food can be eaten by vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free people.

Light Nigerian dishes include yam porridge with soup; fried plantains; steamed cabbage leaves stuffed with beans and groundnuts in tomato sauce, rice cooked in palm oil, water, salt, and pepper.

Light Nigerian Food for Dinner

If you’re looking for a light but filling dinner option, then these Nigerian dishes are perfect. They offer many different flavors that range from spicy to sweet and savory.

The best part about this cuisine is the use of everyday ingredients, making it easy to find all you need at your local grocery store!

16 top ideas Light Nigerian Food for Dinner

1. Vegetable and Peanut Stew

Nigerian food is very diverse, and the recipe for vegetable and peanut stew is an excellent example of this. This dish can be served as a side or main course with rice, beans, or plantains.

Vegetable and Peanut Stew can also be used to make an African soup with ground beef if desired. The vegetables that are most common in Nigerian cuisine include:

  • green bell pepper
  • onions, tomatoes (fresh or canned)
  • garlic cloves (minced) and ginger root.

2. Nigerian Jollof Rice with Okra, Eggplant, or Cabbage

Nigerian Jollof Rice with Okra, Eggplant, or Caba Light Nigerian Food for Dinner is a great dish to prepare when you want a taste of African culture.

It’s also straightforward to make, and many different variations can be made from this dish.  This recipe will teach you how to make the traditional version of Jollof Rice – but don’t stop here!

Experiment with your ingredients and see what new flavors you can create using this basic recipe as a starting point.

3. Spicy Nigerian Fried Plantains

Nigerian food is a type of cuisine that has been passed down for generations, and it’s finally time to learn how to make some of the most popular dishes.

If you’re looking for something light, these spicy fried plantains are perfect! They taste like bananas with an extra kick, and they’re easy to make with only five ingredients!

4. Coconut Rice Porridge (Ogi)

This dish is a Nigerian food, typically eaten for dinner. Coconut rice porridge is made with coconut milk, jaggery (which can be substituted with brown sugar), and rice.

It’s called “porridge” because it’s like a thick soup that has the consistency of oatmeal or cream of wheat cereal. The ingredients are cooked together until they form a paste-like mixture before serving.

5. Oven-Baked Yam Fufu with Palm Oil Sauce

Yams are an excellent food staple in Nigeria, and the fufu is one of the most popular dishes. This dish has been around since before Western contact with Africa, so it’s easy to see why it’s remained an important part of Nigerian culture ever since.

Fufu takes some time to make – you have to peel, boil, mash-up yams, then let them dry for a few days before cooking them again!

That’s where this oven-baked recipe saves the day! It only takes about an hour or two from start to finish and requires much less space in your kitchen.

6. Spicy Grilled Chicken Skewers

Nigerian food is one of the most delicious yet under-represented cuisines in the United States. This recipe will give you a taste of fun and spicy Nigerian food without too much work!

These chicken skewers are quick to prepare and perfect for grilling up outside on a beautiful summer day. Pair these with some light salad or veggies for a complete meal.

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7. Vegan Groundnut Soup

A vegan groundnut soup is a Nigerian food that is light and healthy. It’s also simple to make and tastes delicious, which makes it perfect for dinner!

Groundnuts are rich in protein and fiber, making them a great addition to any diet. This vegan groundnut soup recipe is easy to follow with step-by-step instructions so that you can whip up this dish at home tonight.

8. Coconut Milk Custard Pie (Ukpongko)

  Coconut milk custard pie is a light Nigerian food that you can make for dinner. It’s easy to make, and it tastes fantastic!

This dessert is perfect for those looking for an alternative to heavier desserts but wants something sweet at the end of their meal.

9. Banana Sticky Cake with Chocolate Ganache Frosting

Everyone loves Banana Sticky Cake with Chocolate Ganache Frosting, but it’s usually not vegan or gluten-free.

Luckily, my favorite Nigerian chef (Bukky) has a recipe for this light and fluffy cake that you can make easily at home!

I love to serve it after-dinner dessert with some fresh fruit and your favorite coffee or tea beverage.

10. Banana Bread Pudding with Rum Caramel Sauce

This post is for all the people looking for a healthy and light Nigerian dish to serve for dinner.

Banana bread pudding with rum caramel sauce can be made in under an hour. It will provide you with enough leftover (if there’s any) to make another batch of this delicious dessert or breakfast, whichever way you prefer!

11. Vegan Noodles in Peanut Butter Curry

Nigerian cuisine is one of the most diverse in the world. It has evolved over centuries due to its unique geography and climate, influencing what ingredients are available.

Two central regions (the north and south) produce different dishes with their spices, cooking methods, and recipes. One dish that you might not expect to see on a Nigerian menu is noodles.

Noodles can be found in many other parts of Africa. Still, this recipe combines peanut butter curry sauce with light vegan noodles making it a perfect dinner for those who want gluten-free or dairy-free without sacrificing flavor!

12. Spinach and Tomato Salad

I’m so excited to share this recipe for spinach and tomato salad. It’s a classic Nigerian dish that is light, healthy, and easy to make. I’m not sure why it’s called spinach and tomato salad because there are other vegetables in the dish too, but I love it!

This dish is excellent as an appetizer, side dish, or main course, depending on how hungry you are. You can also add some grilled chicken breast or shrimp if you want more protein to your meal. Enjoy!

13. Nigerian Black Eyed Beans

Nigerian Black Eyed Beans are light but hearty dishes that can be eaten as a main course or side with rice, spaghetti, or roti.

It is typically served with fried plantains and boiled yam. The beans are prepared in an onion-tomato sauce that’s spiced up with ginger, garlic, cumin seeds, turmeric powder,

paprika powder, and pepper before being simmered for about 45 minutes. This recipe will make enough to feed four people for dinner!

14. Gluten-Free Brownies

This is a recipe for gluten-free brownies that will make your mouth water and also fit into your diet. What’s even better about this recipe is that it’s super easy to make!

To start, you’ll need:

  • 1 cup of all-purpose flour (or rice flour)
  • Two tablespoons of cocoa powder
  • 3/4 cup of sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

15. Vegetarian Zucchini Fritters

A Nigerian dish that is light on the stomach, delicious, and filling is Vegetarian Zucchini Fritters. This recipe can be eaten as an appetizer or a main course meal. It’s easy to make and doesn’t require many ingredients. You’ll love it!

16.. Beefless Burgers

The beefless burger is an easy and delicious option for a quick dinner. It’s filling, flavorful, and healthy while still satisfying your cravings.

This dish also has the bonus of being vegan-friendly! Check out this recipe to get started on making some at home.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed this blog post on light Nigerian food for dinner. If you have a favorite recipe that we didn’t cover,

please share it with our readers by commenting below! Don’t forget to subscribe and follow us for more delicious recipes coming your way soon.