Ultimate Guide: 500+ Essential Foodstuff & Ingredients To Shop in Nigeria

Are you on the hunt for the most comprehensive list of essential foodstuff and ingredients in Nigeria?

To truly savor the rich and diverse flavors of Nigerian cuisine, it’s crucial to be familiar with the vast array of ingredients that form its foundation. But with such a vast culinary landscape, where do you start?

In this ultimate guide, we’re unveiling the 500+ essential foodstuff and ingredients you should shop for in Nigeria for 2023, and what they signify in the grand tapestry of Nigerian gastronomy.

500+ Essential Foodstuff & Ingredients in Nigeria – Ultimate List (Updated for 2023)

Ultimate List of Nigerian Foodstuff & Ingredients 2023

To make your journey smoother, we’ve categorized these ingredients into distinct sections. This way, you can effortlessly locate the specifics you’re most intrigued by. Simply scroll down below to navigate to a particular segment.

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Nigerian Soup Ingredients:

• Bitterleaf
• Afang leaves
• Achi seeds
• Oha leaves
• Uziza seeds
• Uda seeds

Proteins:

• Lamb
• Shrimps
• Lobster
• Crabs
• Mussels
• Pigeon

Cooking Oils:

• Olive oil
• Canola oil
• Sunflower oil

Nigerian Swallows:

• Oat fufu
• Starch (Usi)
• Eko (Agidi)

Vegetables:

• Spinach
• Green (Fluted pumpkin leaves)
• Green Amaranth (Alefo)
• Cabbage
• Lettuce
• Green beans

Other Food Items:

• Semovita
• Ofada rice
• Brown rice
• Basmati rice
• Lentils
• Chickpeas

Nigerian Snacks/Nuts:

• Buns
• Puff-puff
• Akara
• Moi Moi
• Gala with La casera
• Groundnut soup

Nigerian Spices:

• Curry powder
• Thyme
• Nutmeg
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Bay leaves

Nigerian Fruits:

• Guava
• Papaya
• Lime
• Lemon
• Grapes
• Apples

Dairy and Beverages:

• Fresh milk
• Flavored yogurt
• Malt drinks
• Fruit juices
• Zobo drink
• Kunu

Canned Food/Packaged foods:

• Corned beef
• Tuna
• Mackerel in tomato sauce
• Green beans
• Mushroom
• Mixed vegetables

Foodstuff Dressing Condiment:

• Mustard
• Salad cream
• Barbecue sauce
• Hot sauce
• Soy sauce
• Teriyaki sauce

Grains and Cereals:

• Oats
• Cornflakes
• Golden morn
• Quinoa
• Barley
• Rye

Bakery and Bread:

• Agege bread
• Sliced bread
• Croissants
• Baguette
• Rolls
• Pastries

Seafood:

• Tilapia
• Catfish
• Salmon
• Cod
• Oysters
• Clams

Baking & Cooking Supplies:

• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Yeast
• Flour
• Cocoa
• Chocolate chips

Condiments & Salad Dressings:

• Ranch dressing
• Caesar dressing
• Relish
• Pickles
• Olives
• Capers

Snacks:

• Popcorn
• Biscuits
• Wafers
• Chocolate bars
• Candy
• Gum

Drinks:

• Wine (red, white, rose)
• Beer
• Spirits (gin, vodka, whiskey)
• Traditional drinks (palm wine)
• Energy drinks
• Mineral water

Frozen Foods:

• Frozen vegetables
• Frozen fruits
• Ice cream
• Frozen yogurt
• Frozen pies
• Frozen meat

Personal Care:

• Toothpaste
• Soap
• Shampoo
• Body lotion
• Deodorant
• Sanitary products

Legumes & Pulses:

• Black-eyed peas
• Kidney beans
• Mung beans
• Green lentils
• Red lentils
• Chickpeas (Garbanzo beans)

Herbs:

• Basil
• Parsley
• Mint
• Rosemary
• Dill
• Cilantro (Coriander leaves)

Roots & Tubers:

• Cocoyam
• Ginger
• Turmeric
• Radish
• Beetroot
• Turnip

Nuts & Seeds:

• Walnuts
• Flaxseeds
• Chia seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Pumpkin seeds
• Sesame seeds

Dried Fruits:

• Raisins
• Dried apricots
• Dried cranberries
• Dried figs
• Dried dates
• Prunes

Dairy & Alternatives:

• Almond milk
• Oat milk
• Lactose-free milk
• Cheese (feta, mozzarella, cheddar)
• Whipping cream
• Sour cream

Meat & Poultry:

• Duck
• Quail
• Venison
• Rabbit
• Corned beef
• Sausages

Fish & Seafood:

• Red snapper
• Herring
• Sardines
• Anchovies
• Lobster
• Crab

Baking Ingredients:

• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract
• Cream of tartar
• Icing sugar
• Brown sugar
• Gelatin

Beverages:

• Herbal tea
• Green tea
• Chamomile tea
• Fruit punch
• Ginger beer
• Malt drink

Snacks & Sweets:

• Samosas
• Spring rolls
• Donuts
• Cakes
• Muffins
• Pastries

Canned & Jarred Goods:

• Pickled vegetables
• Olives
• Capers
• Canned mushrooms
• Canned pineapples
• Canned peaches

Grains & Cereals:

• Bulgur wheat
• Sorghum
• Bran
• Granola
• Muesli
• Rice Krispies

Cooking & Baking Supplies:

• Aluminum foil
• Baking paper
• Cooking spray
• Food coloring
• Sprinkles
• Cake decorations

Condiments & Spreads:

• Nutella
• Marmalade
• Tahini
• Horseradish
• Apple butter
• Maple syrup

Frozen Foods:

• Frozen berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• Frozen peas
• Frozen corn
• Frozen mixed vegetables
• Frozen chicken nuggets
• Frozen pizza

Miscellaneous:

• Tofu
• Tempeh
• Seaweed
• Miso paste
• Rice noodles
• Vermicelli

1. Grains and Cereals:

1. Rice (local & parboiled)
2. Fonio (Acha)
3. Teff
4. Maize (corn)
5. Millet
6. Sorghum
7. Semolina
8. Wheat
9. Ground maize (for Pap/Ogi/Akamu)
10. Ofada rice
11. Bulgur wheat
12. Quinoa
13. Rye
14. Buckwheat
15. Sorghum flour
16. Barley

2. Tubers and Flours:

1. Yam (tubers & flour)
2. Plantains
3. Cassava
4. Cassava flour (Akpu)
5. Cocoyam
6. Cocoyam flour (Ede)
7. Pounded yam flour (instant)
8. Tapioca
9. Sweet potatoes

3. Vegetables:

1. Ugu (fluted pumpkin leaves)
2. Bitterleaf
3. Scent leaf (Efinrin)
4. Afang leaf
5. Okra
6. Uziza leaves
7. Ukazi leaves
8. Wild spinach (Amaranthus/Green)
9. Water leaves
10. Mint leaves
11. Jute leaves (Ewedu)
12. Garden cress
13. Oha leaves
14. Lemon grass
15. Moringa leaves
16. Black mushrooms
17. Edible flowers (like hibiscus, rose petals, violets, etc.)
18. Tomatoes
19. Onions
20. Fresh pepper (scotch bonnet, bell peppers, etc.)
21. Tatashe (large red peppers)
22. Green beans
23. Carrots
24. Potatoes
25. Cabbage
26. Lettuce
27. Spinach
28. Green peas
29. Broccoli
30. Cauliflower
31. Beets
32. Cucumber
33. Garden eggs

4. Fruits and Nuts:

1. Coconut
2. Groundnut (peanuts)
3. Cashew nuts
4. Fresh fruits (oranges, bananas, mangoes, pineapples, etc.)
5. Avocado
6. Tiger nuts (Ofio/Aki Hausa)
7. Canarium (Ube)
8. African walnut (Asala/Okwe)
9. African star apple (Agbalumo/Udara)
10. Guava
11. Soursop
12. Passion fruit
13. Jackfruit
14. Pawpaw (Papaya)
15. Zobo leaves (Hibiscus petals)
16. Cherry (Agbalumo)
17. Citrus fruits (like grapefruits, tangerines, etc.)
18. Guava paste
19. Figs
20. Apricots
21. Plums
22. Peaches
23. Blueberries
24. Raspberries
25. Blackberries
26. Strawberries
27. Kiwi
28. Pomegranate
29. Lychee
30. Goji berries
31. Elderberries
32. Acai berries
33. Mulberries
34. Shea nuts
35. Almonds
36. Walnuts
37. Pecans
38. Sesame seeds (Benniseed)

5. Legumes and Pulses:

1. Black-eyed beans (cowpeas)
2. Green lentils
3. Red lentils
4. Pigeon peas
5. Bambara groundnut (Okpa)
6. Adzuki beans
7. Chickpeas
8. Cannellini beans
9. Navy beans
10. Lima beans
11. Mung beans
12. Kidney beans

6. Spices and Seasonings:

1. Red chili powder
2. Ground turmeric
3. Ground ginger
4. Garlic powder
5. Curry powder
6. Thyme
7. White pepper
8. Ground pepper soup spices
9. Calabash nutmeg (Ehuru/Osuo)
10. Sesame seeds (Benniseed)
11. Allspice
12. Star anise
13. Camphor
14. Cinnamon sticks
15. Cinnamon powder
16. Cardamom pods
17. Saffron strands
18. Clove oil
19. Basil seeds
20. Fenugreek seeds
21. Fennel seeds
22. Anise seeds
23. Asafoetida
24. Curry leaves
25. Kaffir lime leaves
26. Galangal

7. Oils and Fats:

1. Palm oil
2. Groundnut oil
3. Vegetable oil
4. Olive oil
5. Shea butter (for cooking)
6. Margarine
7. Butter

8. Proteins (Animal-based):

1. Fish (Mackerel, Tilapia, Catfish, etc.)
2. Chicken (broilers, old layers)
3. Turkey
4. Beef
5. Goat meat
6. Shaki (tripe)
7. Ponmo (cow skin)
8. Eggs
9. Snails
10. Duck
11. Quail
12. Lamb
13. Prawns
14. Lobster
15. Oyster
16. Crab
17. Cuttlefish
18. Octopus
19. Anchovies

9. Dairy:

1. Milk (fresh, evaporated, powdered)
2. Cheese (local and imported)
3. Yogurt varieties (Greek, natural, flavored, etc.)
4. Buttermilk
5. Whipping cream

10. Drinks and Beverages:

1. Soft drinks
2. Malt drinks
3. Coffee beans
4. Tea leaves (various types)
5. Green tea
6. Roselle (another form of Hibiscus/Zobo)
7. Liquid smoke
8. Cider vinegar
9. Molasses
10. Sorrel
11. Orange blossom water
12. Rose water
13. Wine (red, white, rose)
14. Beer (local varieties)
15. Palm wine
16. Schnapps
17. Ginseng
18. Chai
19. Brandy
20. Rum
21. Whiskey
22. Gin
23. Tequila
24. Vodka
25. Champagne
26. Cava
27. Prosecco

11. Fermented Foods and Others:

1. Ogi (fermented maize pudding)
2. Garri
3. Fufu
4. Dashi
5. Miso paste
6. Tofu
7. Tempeh
8. Breadfruit (Ukwa)
9. Bread varieties (white, wheat, multigrain, etc.)
10. Noodles (Instant, pasta types)
11. Dijon mustard
12. Apple cider
13. Sauerkraut
14. Kimchi
15. Puff pastry
16. Filo dough
17. Chocolate varieties (dark, milk, white, ruby, etc.)

12. Meat Products and Preserves:

1. Corned beef
2. Sausages
3. Chorizo
4. Salami
5. Ham
6. Prosciutto
7. Pancetta
8. Balsamic vinegar
9. Olive varieties (green, black, Kalamata, etc.)
10. Pickles (cucumber, beet, etc.)
11. Capers

13. Condiments and Sauces:

1. Mayonnaise
2. Tomato ketchup
3. Hot sauce
4. Soy sauce
5. Oyster sauce
6. Pesto
7. Tzatziki
8. BBQ sauce
9. Worcestershire sauce
10. Salsa
11. Tahini
12. Fish sauce
13. Sriracha
14. Chutneys (mango, tamarind, etc.)
15. Marinara sauce
16. Alfredo sauce
17. Teriyaki sauce
18. Caesar dressing
19. Mustard (varieties)
20. Relish

14. Baking and Sweets:

1. Flour (all-purpose, cake, bread, etc.)
2. Baking powder
3. Baking soda
4. Cocoa powder
5. Vanilla extract
6. Chocolate chips
7. Icing sugar
8. Caramel
9. Maple syrup
10. Honey
11. Marshmallows
12. Fondant
13. Sprinkles
14. Brown sugar
15. Gelatin
16. Yeast
17. Whipped cream
18. Nuts (for baking – walnuts, hazelnuts, etc.)
19. Dried fruits (raisins, sultanas, etc.)
20. Cake mixtures
21. Food coloring

15. Snacks and Processed Foods:

1. Potato chips
2. Plantain chips
3. Popcorn
4. Biscuits and cookies
5. Cakes
6. Pastries (pies, sausage rolls, etc.)
7. Chocolates
8. Candies
9. Gums
10. Jellies
11. Puddings
12. Cereals (cornflakes, oats, etc.)
13. Energy bars
14. Granola bars
15. Trail mix
16. Roasted nuts (almonds, cashews, etc.)

16. Local Nigerian Delicacies and Ingredients:

1. Agidi (Eko)
2. Akara (bean cakes)
3. Abacha
4. Ukodo (yam pepper soup spices)
5. Isi ewu spices
6. Bitter kola
7. Kola nut
8. Achi
9. Ogbono seeds
10. Egusi seeds
11. Crayfish
12. Periwinkle
13. Dried fish (stockfish, dried catfish, etc.)
14. Iru (locust beans)
15. Ogiri
16. Uda seeds (Negro pepper)
17. Kanafuru (cloves)
18. Ehuru (Calabash nutmeg)
19. Dry pepper blend
20. Dawadawa (Fermented locust beans)
21. Roselle leaves
22. Acha (Hungry rice)
23. Dawa (guinea corn flour)
24. Tsamiya (tamarind)
25. Dried shrimp
26. Achi powder
27. Ogbono powder
28. Egusi powder
29. Akpi seeds

17. Seafood:

1. Mussels
2. Clams
3. Scallops
4. Squid
5. Mackerel
6. Sole fish
7. Sardines
8. Tuna
9. Swordfish
10. Cod
11. Salmon
12. Shrimps
13. King prawns
14. Crayfish
15. Snow crabs
16. King crab
17. Blue crab
18. Lobster tails
19. Sea urchins
20. Caviar

18. Additional Oils and Fats:

1. Corn oil
2. Avocado oil
3. Flaxseed oil
4. Safflower oil
5. Hemp seed oil
6. Canola oil
7. Duck fat
8. Ghee
9. Lard
10. Shortening

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where can I buy authentic Nigerian ingredients?
   • While many local markets in Nigeria offer fresh ingredients, numerous online stores and African shops worldwide stock Nigerian food items.
2. Are there vegetarian dishes in Nigerian cuisine?
   • Absolutely! Nigerian cuisine offers a variety of vegetarian dishes like “Efo Riro” (spinach stew) and “Akara” (bean cakes).
3. How should I store these ingredients for long durations?
   • Different ingredients have varied storage methods. For instance, grains and cereals are best stored in cool, dry places, while some vegetables might require refrigeration.

For those who want to explore the depth and breadth of Nigerian cuisine, this Wikipedia article provides a comprehensive overview. Dive in and discover the history, ingredients, and cooking methods that make Nigerian food truly unique.