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    Home » African dishes

    The Ultimate Nyama Choma Recipe

    Dated: May 27, 2021 . Modified: Jan 6, 2022 by Kate Hahnel

    Jump to Recipe

    Goat meat is marinated in a flavorful herb and spice marinade, and then slowly grilled, in this ultimate mbuzi nyama choma recipe. This is a very popular dish in East Africa, but especially in Kenya and Tanzania.

    nyama chama served on a grilling rack
    Nyama Choma
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients Used
    • How To Marinate Goat Meat
    • How To Make
    • Variations
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Useful Recipe Tips
    • Making ahead and refridgeration
    • Common Questions
    • 📖 Recipe

    My fellow Kenyans will tell you that the party has not really started until nyama choma with kachumbari and ugali has been served. While eating goat meat is uncommon in America, it is very popular in Kenya and is actually, one of the meals that is always served whenever there is a barbecue, or whenever friends and family come together during football matches, for Friday evening meals, weddings, simply put, every occasion that calls for celebration.

    Ingredients Used

    Making Nyama Choma is not difficult at all and I am happy to let you know that you too, can make your own barbecued meat at home. The marinade is what gives this recipe that extra flavor, That you will Fall in love with. Here is what you will require:

    Nyama Choma Ingredients
    Nyama Choma Ingredients
    • Meat: this recipe uses a whole bone-in goat leg (mbuzi) but other cuts such as spare ribs will also do.
    • Vegetables: fresh ginger, garlic, onion and, bird eye chillis (optional).
    • Spices: cumin, paprika, and stock cubes.
    • Fruit: lemon juice (easily substitutable with lime juice).
    • Condiments: cooking oil and salt.

    How To Marinate Goat Meat

    Meat with marinade on top in preparation for grilling
    Add the marinade

    Okay, I will admit that marinating goat meat may sound like an extra step that you would rather skip, but trust me on this one, as this step will certainly enhance the flavors. I can tell you for certain that there is no looking back, once you get accustomed to marinating your food before cooking.

    • Prepare the marinade by adding all the marinade ingredients (garlic, ginger, onion, lemon juice, olive oil, cumin, paprika, stock cubes, rosemary, and bird eye chili), into a blender, and process. If you do not own a blender, simply dice everything finely, or use a pestle and mortar to grind the ingredients.
    • Put the goat meat in a large bowl toss the marinade on top, cover with aluminum foil and allow it to marinate for at least two hours or for best results overnight, before grilling.

    Traditionally, nyama choma is only marinated in salt but this recipe uses a flavorful blend that is bound to transform the taste.

    Some butchers in Kenya and Tanzania add MSG, a preservative that is not healthy at all (so yes, it is always better to check with your butcher first, regarding that).

    How To Make

    To make nyama choma, it is best to barbecue the goat meat at medium to low temperatures. You can either use charcoal, an electric barbecue grill, or an oven.

    In a bowl, combine garlic, ginger, onion, lemon juice, olive oil, cumin, paprika, stock cubes, rosemary, and chili. Use a food processor or blender, to save on time but take care not to process it too much. It should still retain some texture.

    On a chopping board, use a knife to make slits approximately 2 inches or 5 cm apart on the goat leg.

    Gushes on the surface of the meat
    Make gushes on the surface of the meat

    Place the meat in a large bowl and massage in half of the marinade, making sure to also cover the slits. Set the other marinade aside, to be used for basting.

    Cover with aluminum foil and allow to marinate overnight or for at least 2 hours.

    Remove the marinated mbuzi (goat meat) from the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature for at least an hour, before setting it on the barbecue. During this time, prepare your grill and set it to high. Cover your grill with ashes if using a charcoal grill, to prevent it from getting too hot.

    Rub a few tablespoons of oil on a piece of aluminum foil then grill on high for approximately 3 minutes on each side, or until it attains a proper color. Transfer to the prepared foil.

    Meat layed on aluminium foil
    Briefly grill then lay on foil paper

    Place two sprigs of rosemary and the bulb of garlic on top of the goat leg. Cover loosely with aluminum foil so it resembles a tent then set it on a baking tray. Add about a glass of water to the tray, to prevent it from getting too hot.

    meat on a baking tray covered with foil. The tray has some water on it.
    Cover and set on a tray (you can also use a regular grilling rack)

    Transfer the meat to the barbecue grill then cover the lid, trying to maintain the temperature at (medium-low) between 180 and 200 degrees. You can also use a regular grilling rack. In this case, skip adding the water. Grill at medium-low for one and a half hours, turning from time to time.

    To make nyama choma in the oven, simply marinate the meat and cover it with aluminum foil in preparation for roasting, as per the instructions above. Next, preheat the oven to 170° C/ 365° F (standard) or 150° C fan then lay the meat on a baking tray. Place in the oven and slowly roast for 4.5 hours.

    Once the time is up, mix the honey with 2-3 tablespoons of hot water. Uncover the foil and baste with the honey glaze. Continue to grill for a further 15-30 minutes or until the desired brownness has been achieved and the juices run clear, or it has an internal temperature of at least 150-160 degrees F. If using the oven, broil each side for 5-10 minutes.

    Once cooked, transfer the nyama choma to a tray and allow it to rest for 10-20 minutes before carving and serving.

    Variations

    • This nyama choma recipe uses goat meat, but feel free to substitute this with beef, mutton, or lamb.
    • Tenderize the meat by adding a quarter of a cup of papaya tenderizer made from blended papaya and pineapple.

    Serving Suggestions

    Serve nyama choma hot, with ugali and kachumbari. Other suitable combinations include mukimo, rice, or chapati.

    Useful Recipe Tips

    1. Try injecting the marinade into the meat or simply make gashes on the surface, so the flavors properly penetrate the nyama.
    2. To tenderize, grate a quarter of raw papaya combined with some pineapple.
    3. Remove your marinated goat meat from the fridge at least one hour before grilling.
    4. To reduce the cooking time if using a goat leg, cut into three or four large chunks, so it cooks more evenly and quicker.
    5. Once grilled, allow nyama choma to rest covered in foil for at least 10-20 minutes before cutting to prevent the juices from running over. This way, the goat meat stays juicy and tastier.

    Making ahead and refridgeration

    Nyama Choma is best eaten immediately. While you can still reheat, I do not recommend it as reheating causes the meat to toughen up and become chewy, especially when done using the microwave.

    If you indeed have to warm leftovers, then heat on a grill or sufuria (pot) and drizzle with a few tablespoons of warm water.

    Common Questions

    What is the meaning of the name?

    The name comprises of two words; nyama which means meat and choma which means barbecued in English. Put the two words together and you have barbecued meat.

    What is nyama choma made of?

    It is made from beef or goat meat, which is then traditionally marinated in either salt alone, or in a combination of salt, lemon, chilli and spice before being slowly barbecued.

    Great news, you have made it this far which means you probably made or are making this recipe! It would go a long way if you could leave a ⭐rating on the recipe card or comment in the comments section below.

    Feel free to follow me on my social channels! Tag me @weeatatlast (formerly paleolowcarbkate) on Instagram, pin it on Pinterest, or like my Facebook for the latest updates! Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel or Newsletter for regular recipe notifications!

    📖 Recipe

    An overhead picture of nyama choma arranged on a grilling rack and garnished with some rosemary.

    Mbuzi Nyama Choma

    Kate Hahnel
    Goat meat is marinated in spices and then slowly grilled in this tender and delicious nyama choma recipe. Best served with kachumbari and ugali.
    5 from 14 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 2 hrs
    Marination 30 mins
    Total Time 2 hrs 40 mins
    Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine African, Kenyan
    Servings 6
    Calories 647 kcal

    Equipment

    charcoal, electric or gas grill
    grilling rack or baking tray
    aluminum foil

    Ingredients
      

    • 5.5 lbs goat meat (approximately 2.5kgs)
    • 10 cloves garlic
    • 1 bulb whole garlic cut across in the middle
    • 1 red or white onion large
    • 1 lemon juiced
    • ⅓ piece ginger
    • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil or preferred cooking oil
    • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
    • 2 tablespoon ground paprika
    • 1 tablespoon salt
    • 2 stock cubes
    • 6 sprigs fresh rosemary
    • 2 bird-eye chillis de-seeded
    • ¾ tablespoon salt

    Instructions
     

    • In a bowl, combine garlic, ginger, onion, lemon juice, olive oil, cumin, paprika, salt, stock cubes, rosemary, and chili. Use a food processor or blender, to save on time but take care not to process it too much. It should still retain some texture.
    • Place the meat in a large bowl and toss it with half of the marinade. Set the other marinade aside, to be used in basting the nyama choma.
    • Use a knife to make slits 2 inches or 5 cm apart on the goat leg and massage the marinade into the meat, making sure to also cover the slits. Cover the meat with aluminum foil and allow to marinate overnight or for at least for 2 hours.
    • Remove the marinated goat meat from the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature for at least an hour, before setting it on the barbecue. During this time, prepare your grill and set it to high. Cover your grill with ashes if using a charcoal grill, to prevent it from getting too hot.
    • Grill the meat on high for approximately 3 minutes on each side, or until it attains a proper color then transfer to a triple layer of foil paper.
    • Place two sprigs of rosemary and the bulb of garlic on top of the goat leg. Cover the meat loosely with foil so it resembles a tent.
    • Set it on a baking tray or grilling rack, transfer to the barbecue grill then cover the lid, trying to maintain the temperature at medium-low or between 180 and 200 degrees. Grill at medium-low for one and a half hours, turning from time to time.
    • Once the time is up, mix the honey with 2-3 tablespoons of hot water. Uncover the meat and baste it with the honey glaze. Continue to grill for a further 15-30 minutes or until the desired brownness has been achieved and the juices run clear, or it has an internal temperature of at least 150-160 degrees F.
    • Once cooked, transfer the meat to a tray and allow it to rest for 10-20 minutes before carving.
    • Serve nyama choma hot with ugali and kachumbari.

    OVEN METHOD

    • To make nyama choma in the oven, simply marinate the meat and cover it with aluminum foil in preparation for roasting, as per the instructions above. Next, preheat the oven to 170° C/ 365° F (standard) or 150° C fan then lay the meat on a baking tray. Place in the oven and slowly roast for 4.5 hours.
    • Once the cooking time is over, get the meat out of the oven and remove the aluminum foil. Mix the honey with 2-3 tablespoons of hot water. Uncover the meat and baste it with the honey glaze.
    • Return the basted meat to the oven and broil each side on high for 5-10 minutes, or until the desired level of browness has been obtained.
    • Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 20 minutes, before carving to prevent the juices from running out.
    • Serve the nyama choma with mukimo, ugali, kachumbari or your favorite side dish.

    Video

    Notes

    • The recipe card uses the minimum marination time of 30 minutes. For best results marinate overnight.

    Useful Recipe Tips

    • Try injecting the marinade into the meat or simply make gashes on the surface, so the flavors properly penetrate the mbuzi (goat meat).
    • To tenderize the meat, grate a quarter of raw papaya combined with some pineapple into the meat.
    • Remove your marinated meat from the fridge at least one hour before grilling.
    • To reduce the cooking time if using a goat leg, cut the meat into three or four large chunks, so it cooks more evenly and quicker.
    • Allow the nyama choma to rest covered in foil for at least 10-20 minutes before cutting to prevent the juices from running over. This way, the meat stays juicy and tastier.

    Variations

    • This nyama choma recipe uses goat meat, but feel free to substitute this with beef, mutton, or lamb.
    • Tenderize the meat by adding a quarter of a cup of papaya tenderizer made from blended papaya and pineapple.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 647kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 87gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 238mgSodium: 2702mgPotassium: 1759mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1181IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 90mgIron: 13mg
    Tried this recipe? I would love it if you could leave a rating by clicking on the stars above on this recipe card.or simply PIN on Pinterest for later!!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Agnes

      September 22, 2021 at 3:38 am

      5 stars
      When tendering the meat with pineapple and papaya should I do it prior to marinating and rins it before placing in marinade or should I add the pineapple and papaya to the marinade?

      Reply
      • Kate Hahnel

        September 22, 2021 at 11:04 am

        Add the pineapple or papaya at least 20 minutes before marinating (just make sure it is properly blended or smooth enough so you do not end up with huge chunks). Allow it to properly penetrate the meat; you do not need to rinse before adding the marinade.Hope this helps, have a lovely week ahead!

        Reply
    2. Jen

      June 01, 2021 at 4:40 pm

      5 stars
      A lot of my close friends are East African so I was really excited to try this recipe. The meat was marinated to perfection and had everyone going back for more. I'll definitely make this again!

      Reply
    3. Enriqueta E Lemoine

      May 31, 2021 at 10:24 pm

      5 stars
      I'm from Venezuela, in South America, and people eat goat meat there, especially in the arid zones of Falcon state. I think what makes your dish so appealing is the marinade! Yum!

      Reply
    4. Heidy

      May 31, 2021 at 12:02 pm

      5 stars
      I have to admit I was a little nervous about trying this mbuzi nyama choma recipe---but after I tried it, I was so shocked the entire family loved it, and even my mother-in-law enjoyed a plate. I was surprised it was so flavorful and would have it again!

      Reply
      • Kate Hahnel

        May 31, 2021 at 9:23 pm

        So happy you tried it out and that you liked it very much. Thank you!

        Reply
    5. Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer

      May 30, 2021 at 7:03 pm

      5 stars
      What a beautiful goat and lovely recipe! I love how informative this post is and how mouth-watering the pictures are! Thank you so much for sharing! This will be a huge hit at our next dinner party!

      Reply
      • Kate Hahnel

        May 31, 2021 at 9:20 pm

        Give it a go and let me know how you liked it. Thank you for checking out my recipe.

        Reply
    6. Amanda Dixon

      May 30, 2021 at 7:02 pm

      5 stars
      This was my first time trying goat, and I'm so glad I did! The meat came out so tender, and the marinade was super flavorful. Loved it!

      Reply
      • Kate Hahnel

        May 31, 2021 at 9:19 pm

        So glad you it turned out well!

        Reply
    7. EA Stewart

      May 30, 2021 at 5:59 pm

      5 stars
      I love all the seasonings in this flavorful dish! Especially the lemon & rosemary because I grow both at home. Great recipe!

      Reply
      • Kate Hahnel

        May 31, 2021 at 9:19 pm

        Thank you! I am planning to grow a few herbs this year. Curious to know whether lemon survives the winter? If all goes well I will be making nyama choma with home-grown herbs!

        Reply
    8. Amy Liu Dong

      May 30, 2021 at 5:54 pm

      5 stars
      This is definitely one of the good and tasty recipes I've seen this day.
      To be honest, seeing this dish makes me hungry!

      Reply
      • Kate Hahnel

        May 31, 2021 at 9:18 pm

        I am so glad you like it!

        Reply
    9. Beth

      May 30, 2021 at 2:02 am

      5 stars
      This looks so delicious! I can get frozen whole goats nearby (for halal) but haven't seen smaller pieces - now I have a good reason to look further.

      Reply
      • Kate Hahnel

        May 31, 2021 at 9:17 pm

        Please do, I can only recommend it and thanks very much. Ok, a whole goat would be a little over the top (for some reason this made me laugh so loud)!

        Reply
    10. Kathryn

      May 30, 2021 at 12:07 am

      5 stars
      I've never tried this but now I want too. All of the spices sounds so good and goes perfectly with goat!

      Reply
      • Kate Hahnel

        May 31, 2021 at 9:15 pm

        Thank you! That's true, the spices go well together. My husband says it is actually one of the best recipes I have ever made!

        Reply
    11. Allyssa

      May 28, 2021 at 12:41 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you so much for this super tasty and amazing nyama choma recipe! So perfect for my family, they loved it! Will make it again!

      Reply
    12. Farrukh Aziz

      May 28, 2021 at 11:43 am

      5 stars
      This goes well with salad, or just the way it is! I never thought of using goat meat this way, so it was really interesting to try out! And the flavors were amazing!

      Reply

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