Pepper Soup Ghana: How to Make Authentic Ghanaian Light Soup

September 16, 2025 Odiraa

Pepper Soup Ghana: How to Make Authentic Ghanaian Light Soup (Step-by-Step Recipe)

Mema wo aha! (Good day in Twi). If you love African soups, then you’ll absolutely fall in love with Pepper Soup Ghana, popularly called Ghanaian Light Soup.

This aromatic dish is one of the most beloved traditional soups from Ghana, made with assorted meats, fish, garden eggs (eggplants), okra, and a bold pepper mix.

In this article, you’ll learn:

What makes Ghanaian Light Soup (Pepper Soup Ghana) unique
Authentic ingredients and spices used in Ghanaian cooking
Step-by-step instructions on how to cook Pepper Soup Ghana at home
Tips on what to eat it with (fufu, rice, or bread)

What is Pepper Soup Ghana (Ghanaian Light Soup)?

Pepper Soup Ghana, also known as Ghanaian Light Soup, is a spicy, watery, yet flavorful soup indigenous to the Akan people of Ghana.

Traditionally, it was made with fish (called Aklor or Nkra Nkra), but today, it is commonly prepared with goat meat, chicken, beef, and even seafood.

It’s similar in texture to Nigerian pepper soup, but the ingredients and taste are completely different.

While Nigerian pepper soup leans heavily on dry spices, Ghanaian light soup balances fresh pepper blends, garden eggs, okra, spices like calabash nutmeg, selim pepper, and aidan fruit for a uniquely bold yet smooth flavor.

This soup is commonly served with fufu (plantain or cassava) but can also be enjoyed with rice or eaten on its own.

Why You’ll Love Ghanaian Light Soup

Bold, spicy, and aromatic flavors
Packed with nutritious vegetables and proteins
Perfect comfort food for cold or rainy days
Traditional Ghanaian recipe that connects you to West African heritage

Ghanaian Light Soup Ingredients (Pepper Soup Ghana Ingredients)

Here’s what you’ll need to prepare authentic Ghanaian light soup at home:

Proteins – 2 lbs goat meat, 1 lb goat tripe, 2 mackerel fish, dry fish (catfish or any dry type), dry shrimp
Pepper Mix – 3 tomatoes, 2 red bell peppers, 5 scotch bonnets, 1 large onion, 1 carrot, 4 tbsp tomato paste
Spices – Aidan fruit, bay leaves, rosemary, cloves, selim pepper, calabash nutmeg, shrimp bouillon (optional)
Vegetables – Thai eggplant, baby eggplant, 15–20 lima beans, 5–10 okra pieces
Seasonings – Garlic, ginger, salt, and onions
Water – 8–10 cups

How to Make Pepper Soup Ghana (Step-by-Step Instructions)

Prepare the Meat Base
- Rinse the goat meat and tripe. Place in a large pot.
- Blend onion, garlic, ginger, and scotch bonnets. Add half of this mix to the meat.
- Add chopped onions, rosemary, bay leaves, salt, and seasoning. Steam for 10 minutes (no water yet).
Cook the Pepper Mix
- Add tomatoes, red bell peppers, onion, carrots, scotch bonnets, tomato paste, and Aidan fruit into the pot.
- Cook the meat for 30–35 minutes.
Prepare the Vegetables
- In another pot, boil lima beans and baby eggplants until soft (about 15 minutes).
- Peel beans and grind into a smooth powder.
Blend & Add Back
- Blend boiled vegetables with 5 cups of water. Strain back into the meat pot.
- Add 2 whole scotch bonnets and 4 calabash nutmeg seeds (cracked open).
- Add dry fish and simmer.
Finish the Soup
- Blend baby eggplants with dry shrimp, cloves, and selim pepper. Add to the soup.
- Add whole okra and halved Thai eggplants.
- Cook mackerel separately with leftover pepper blend, then add it to the soup.
Simmer & Serve
- Let the soup cook on medium heat for 45 minutes until flavors blend.
- Add mackerel and simmer for an extra 5 minutes.
- Serve hot with fufu, rice, bread, or eat it alone.

What to Serve with Ghanaian Light Soup

Fufu (cassava or plantain fufu) – Traditional Ghanaian pairing
Rice – For a lighter option
Bread rolls – To soak up the flavorful broth

Pro Tips for the Best Pepper Soup in Ghana

Always steam your meats first before adding water for a richer flavor.
Use a mix of proteins for depth of taste (goat, fish, shrimp).
Don’t skip traditional spices like aidan fruit and calabash nutmeg – they define Ghanaian soup!
For a milder version, reduce the number of scotch bonnets.

More African Soups to Try

Recipe Card: Authentic Pepper Soup Ghana (Ghanaian Light Soup)

Course: Soup
Cuisine: Ghanaian, West African
Prep Time: 30 mins | Cook Time: 1 hr 45 mins | Total Time: 2 hrs 15 mins
Servings: 2 | Calories: 134 kcal

Keywords: Ghanaian Light Soup Recipe, Pepper Soup Ghana, Authentic Ghanaian Light Soup, Ghanaian Soup with Goat Meat, How to Make Ghanaian Light Soup, Traditional Ghanaian Recipes, West African Soups

Final Thoughts

Pepper Soup Ghana (Ghanaian Light Soup) is more than just food – it’s a taste of Ghana’s culture and warmth. Whether you enjoy it with fufu or rice, its bold spices and rich flavors make it unforgettable.

If you try this recipe, leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out! Don’t forget to share this post so more people can enjoy authentic Ghanaian cooking.