10 Most Popular Foods in Burkina Faso

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The Burkinabe cuisines are almost the same as the cuisines in other parts of West Africa. The main ingredients used in most of their cuisines are rice, sorghum, peanuts, maize, beans, okra, potatoes, yams, millet, fonio, etc.

However, the country still has some good foods for the visitors to try. So, we have picked the 10 most popular foods in Burkina Faso, which are briefly discussed in the coming paragraphs.

1. To (aka Saghbo)

Also referred to as saghbo is a dish that resembles ugali. It is prepared with dough while other ingredients like sorghum, millet, and corn. You can switch between these ingredients. The ingredients are stirred vigorously to make a smooth paste. The dish is accompanied by different types of sauces and stews made of both vegetables and meats. The most common sauce is okra.

Recipe for to

2. Babenda

Babenda is a stew with fish as the key ingredient. It is prepared with other ingredients like cabbage or spinach and fermented beans. Some people also use cheese in the recipe. It has a unique flavor that comes with the combination of these ingredients.

Recipe for babenda

3. Poulet Bicyclette

The poulet bicyclette is also common in other West African countries. It is a delicious grilled chicken. To prepare a poulet bicyclette, you will need onions, garlic cloves, ginger powder, bay leaves, potatoes, vegetables like carrot and turnip, butter, vinegar, and salt and pepper.

Recipe for poulet bicyclette

4. Ragout D’igname

The yam stew is one of the most-liked dishes in the country. Ragout d’igname is made with yams, onions, garlic, carrots, ginger, tomatoes, and peppers. While for seasoning, locals only use salt and pepper. For consumption, piping hot dishes is preparable.

Recipe for ragout d’igname

5. Rizgras

This special Burkinabe dish is something you must try. It is super easy to prepare and does not demand much time. It is simply rice. To prepare rizgras, you will need onions, garlic cloves, habanero peppers, tomatoes, white rice, chicken, cinnamon stick, and salt and pepper.

Recipe for rizgras

6. Sauce Gombo

Sauce gombo or the gumbo stew is traditional okra sauce from Burkina Faso. You will need onions, ground beef, garlic, tomatoes, okra, red pepper, chili powder, spinach or dark greens, and salt for this sauce. The sauce is often accompanied by stiff porridge.

Recipe for sauce gombo

7. Brochettes

Brochettes is a famous Burkinabe barbecue-style cooked on a skewer. For making this dish, you will need paprika, cinnamon, cayenne, clove garlic, vinegar, meat, and salt. Any meat will work for this dish. Mix all these ingredients well in any bowl. Then, begin cooking the ingredients on a skewer.

Recipe for brochettes

8. Poulet Braise

Poulet braise is the most popular form of grilled chicken in the country. It is praised by both the locals and visitors. You can easily find it in almost every restaurant and bar, etc.

Recipe for poulet braise

9. Fufu

Fufu is prepared with the dough of various ingredients, which is boiled and the ground. The ingredients can be either malanga, plantains, or cassava. Some people also combine these ingredients or at least two for the dough. Thus, you will find different versions of fufu. In some recipes, animal fats are also added.

Recipe for fufu

10. French Green Beans

Burkina Faso’s recipe for French green beans combines onions, hot chilis, garlic, and ginger for greater taste. It works as a side dish and tastes well with all types of dishes. However, the most-liked combos are sweet potatoes and chicken thighs.

Recipe for French green beans

Sources:

World Travel Guide

Taste Atlas

Wikipedia