Suya Spice UK: Buy, Recipes, How To Use
Suya is West Africa's most famous street-grill spice. Smoky, nutty, peanut-driven, mildly hot. Costack makes the UK's premium version. Free Royal Mail delivery over £35.
What is suya spice?
Suya (also spelled yaji) is a Hausa-origin dry-rub spice blend built around roasted ground peanut (kuli kuli), ginger, cayenne, and smoked paprika. It is the seasoning that turns plain beef skewers, chicken wings, or lamb chops into the smoky, nutty street-grill flavour you eat in Lagos, Accra, or Kano.
Costack's blend uses kuli kuli, uda pepper, calabash nutmeg, ginger, cayenne, smoked paprika, garlic, onion, sea salt. Allergen-labelled to Natasha's Law. Contains peanuts.
Where to buy suya spice in the UK
Buy direct from Costack Suya Spice. £15 per jar. 250 g. 12-15 batches of skewers per jar. Royal Mail delivery, 2-3 working days, free over £35.
Want more than just suya? The Meat Lover's 4-Pack bundles Suya with our Meat Seasoning, Chicken & Turkey, and BBQ rub. The Sunday Roast 4-Pack adds Jollof and Fried Rice.
How to use Costack Suya Spice
Suya is a rub, not a marinade. The fat in the meat carries the flavour. Use it dry. Sprinkle generously, press in, grill hot. After cooking, dust on extra for the raw kuli kuli kick. That second dusting is the trick.
- Beef skewers: thin-sliced beef, coat in suya, skewer, grill 4-5 min per side. Full beef suya skewers recipe.
- Chicken wings: toss in oil + suya, bake 200°C for 35 min, dust again to finish. Full suya chicken recipe.
- Lamb chops: rub on, rest 30 min, grill 3 min per side.
- Prawns: coat king prawns, sear hot 90 sec per side.
- Vegetables: halloumi, cauliflower steaks, sweet potato wedges all work.
Make suya at home: the 3 recipes to start with
Three UK-tested recipes using Costack Suya. Each one is under 30 minutes from fridge to plate.
- How to Make Suya at Home (UK Recipe) — the master recipe. Beef, chicken, or prawns. Read this first.
- Suya Chicken Wings — oven method, 35 minutes, kuli kuli finish.
- Beef Suya Skewers — the classic street-style version. 20 minutes hands-on.
FAQ
Is Costack Suya the same as yaji? Yes. Yaji is the Hausa word for the dry blend. Suya is the dish made with it. UK shops use both names.
Does it contain peanuts? Yes. The blend is built around kuli kuli (roasted peanut). Not suitable for peanut-allergy households.
How spicy is it? Medium-hot. Bold, not blazing. Smoky paprika carries more weight than cayenne.
How big is the jar? 250 g. Enough for roughly 12-15 batches of beef or chicken skewers.
How fast is delivery? Royal Mail 2-3 working days. Free over £35.
Is it halal-suitable? Yes. No alcohol, no animal-derived ingredients.
How long does it keep? 18-24 months from production if stored cool and dry, away from sunlight.