Stock cube (bouillon cube)

bouillon cube / Maggi cube

Flavor and role

Concentrated stock set with salt, fat and seasonings. Dissolved in water it becomes stock instantly; it is used especially often in West African cooking.

Typical dishes and uses

Jollof rice, African stews, soups, risotto, camp cooking

Substitutes

1 cube (500ml water) = 2 tsp chicken stock powder, or 2 tsp dashida (Korean stock powder; or any stock powder). Adjust the salt at the end, after adding the cube.

Storage

Unopened: 1-2 years at room temperature. Use individually wrapped cubes right away once opened; keep leftover powder airtight away from moisture.

Main countries

Nigeria · Ghana · Switzerland

Used in this book

Jollof RiceBitterballenCeebu Yapp (Senegalese Lamb and Onion Rice)Efo RiroEgusi SoupErwtensoep (Dutch Split Pea Soup)Fataya (Senegalese Beef Turnovers)GitheriGhanaian Groundnut Soup (Nkatenkwan)Hayashi Rice (Japanese Beef and Tomato Stew over Rice)Japanese Curry Rice (Kare Raisu)Kontomire StewGhanaian Light SoupBeef MaféMoi Moi (Nigerian Steamed Bean Pudding)Nigerian Fried RiceNigerian Goat Meat Pepper SoupRed-Red (Ghanaian Bean Stew with Fried Plantain)SuyaThieboudienne (Senegalese Fish and Rice)Ugali with Sukuma WikiVol-au-ventChicken YassaBeef Shin Efo Riro with Prawns, Smoked Fish and Two GreensSeared Beef and Smoked Fish Egusi with Scent LeafEgusi Spinach Egg Muffins with Smoked FishFish Fataya with Rof Herb Paste and Scotch Bonnet Onion SauceFataya Crunch WrapSmoky Party Jollof with Crispy Spiced ChickenCharred-Tomato Goat Light Soup with Garden EggsMoi Moi Elemi Meje (Banana-Leaf Moi Moi with Smoked Mackerel, Prawns and Egg)Cheesy Baked Moi Moi MuffinsOwambe Party Fried Rice with Homemade Stock, Liver and PrawnsNigerian Fried Rice Omurice with Scotch Bonnet Ketchup (Nigerian × Japanese)Nigerian Fried Rice Arancini with Scotch Bonnet MayoClear Goat Pepper Soup with Fresh-Toasted SpicesSmoked Mackerel Red-Red with Kelewele-Spiced PlantainCharcoal Suya with Hand-Toasted Yaji and Tomato RelishSuya Beef Yaki UdonThieb Arancini with Rof Fish and Tamarind-Chilli MayoVol-au-vent Croque ToastWaakye with Homemade Shito

Updated 2026-10-10