National Dish of Gambia – Benachin

Benachin is a popular Gambian dish that is prepared in one pot alone. It consists of rice, vegetables, and meat that are all cooked together.

Servings

8 Person

Prep Time

20 Min

Cook Time

30 Min

Total Time

50 Min

½
chicken (cut into pieces)
½ lb.
boneless beef (diced)
3 cups
rice
4
onions (peeled and diced)
2 large
tomatoes (chopped)
v
bay leaves
3
cloves garlic (minced)
2
hot peppers (minced)
3 tsp.
tomato puree
1 ½ cups
vegetable oil
2
bell peppers (sliced)
1 large
eggplant (chopped)
½
small cabbage (chopped)
6 cups
water
Salt
Black pepper
Vinegar

Benachin is a popular Gambian dish that is prepared in one pot alone. It consists of rice, vegetables, and meat that are all cooked together.

Directions for Preparing Benachin

  1. Put the chicken and beef pieces into a bowl.
  2. Season the meats with salt, black pepper, garlic, and a dash of vinegar, then leave undisturbed for thirty (0:30) minutes.
  3. Heat a large pot, add the vegetable oil and fry the chicken until golden brown on all sides.
  4. When the chicken is done, remove and set aside, then brown the beef in the same pot.
  5. Add the onions to the beef and cook until brown.
  6. Add the tomatoes and the tomato puree together with the minced hot pepper.
  7. Stir these ingredients together and cook for fifteen (0:15) minutes.
  8. Pour in the water and bring to a boil.
  9. Add the chicken to the pot.
  10. Add the chopped cabbage, chopped eggplant and bay leaves to the pot.
  11. Sprinkle salt to taste.
  12. Use a large spoon to dish out the vegetables and chicken pieces, then set these aside.
  13. Rinse the raw rice in cold water, then add to the pot.
  14. Add the sliced bell peppers and bring to a boil.
  15. Reduce the heat and let the ingredients simmer.
  16. When the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender, turn off the heat and place it in a serving dish.
  17. Arrange the chicken and vegetables on top of the rice and beef.
  18. Serve hot

Other Benachin Dishes

Mbahal: Is a smoked and salted fish dish prepared with groundnuts, black-eyed beans, or locus beans, spring onion, chilies, white rice, and Jattoo

Jollof Rice Recipe: Click Here

Nyambeh Nyebbeh: Is a bean and cassava dish made with onion, oils, fresh chili pepper, stock (soup), salt and pepper water, and fried fish (snapper)

Pepeh Soup: Is a cow leg (foot stew) and very spicy fish stew

Caldo: is a lemon-flavored steamed whole fish dish, a variation of Yassa. Jorto or sompat are usually used

Fish balls: Is a dish made with ground bonga, tomato, parsley, breadcrumbs, chilis, onion, black pepper, tomato paste, oil, stock, and white rice

Domoda: Mandinka dish made with ground peanut (peanut paste), fish, or meat seasoned with sea salt, onions, carrots, tomatoes, cabbage, potatoes, water, tomato paste, soup stock, lemon juice, and white rice.

Benachin, also known as one-pot rice, is one of the most iconic traditional dishes of The Gambia. The name Benachin comes from the Wolof language and literally means “one pot,” describing both the cooking method and the philosophy behind the dish. Rice, vegetables, and meat are cooked together in a single vessel, allowing flavors to blend deeply while making the meal efficient and economical. Historically, Benachin developed as a communal dish suited to large households, celebrations, and everyday family meals. Its ingredients vary depending on availability, season, and region, reflecting The Gambia’s agricultural landscape and cultural diversity. Benachin is closely related to other West African one-pot rice dishes, such as Jollof Rice, but is distinguished by its heavier use of vegetables and the practice of removing and re-layering components before serving. Today, it remains a cornerstone of Gambian cuisine and a symbol of shared meals and hospitality.

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