Nigerian peppered turkey gizzard is a spicy, flavourful dish perfect as a starter or side dish. The tender gizzards are cooked in a rich pepper sauce and garnished with colourful bell peppers for a tasty finish.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1kg turkey gizzards, cleaned
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 large onions, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced

Spices and Seasonings

• 4-5 scotch bonnet peppers, chopped (adjust to taste)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ginger, minced
• 2 stock cubes (Maggi or Knorr)
• 1 tsp curry powder
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp black pepper
• Salt to taste

For Cooking the Gizzards

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 stock cube
• Salt to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

Prepare the Gizzards

1. Clean thoroughly: Wash turkey gizzards under cold running water. Remove any fat or tough bits.
2. Cut to size: Cut gizzards into bite-sized pieces if they’re very large.
3. Season: Rub with salt and leave for 10 minutes.

Cook the Gizzards

1. Boil until tender: Place gizzards in a pot with chopped onion, bay leaves, stock cube, and enough water to cover. Cook for 45-60 minutes until tender.
2. Drain and set aside: Once tender, drain the gizzards and keep the stock for later use.

Make the Pepper Sauce

1. Heat oil: In a large frying pan, heat vegetable oil over medium heat.
2. Cook aromatics: Add minced garlic and ginger. Fry for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Add peppers: Add chopped scotch bonnets and cook for 2-3 minutes.
4. Season: Add curry powder, thyme, paprika, black pepper, and crumbled stock cubes. Stir well.
5. Add gizzards: Add the cooked gizzards to the pan. Stir to coat with the pepper mixture.
6. Add liquid: Pour in a little of the reserved stock if the mixture looks too dry. Cook for 5-7 minutes.

Add the Garnish

1. Add vegetables: Add sliced onions and all the bell peppers (red, yellow, green) to the pan.
2. Stir-fry: Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently. The vegetables should be tender but still crisp.
3. Season to taste: Add salt and adjust seasoning as needed.
4. Serve: Remove from heat and serve immediately whilst hot.

Serving Suggestions

Peppered turkey gizzard goes well with:

• Jollof rice
• Fried rice
• Boiled white rice
• Fried plantain
• As a starter on its own
• With cold drinks at parties

Tips for Perfect Results

• Don’t overcook vegetables: Bell peppers should remain slightly crisp for the best texture
• Control the heat: Adjust scotch bonnet peppers according to your spice tolerance
• Cook gizzards properly: Make sure they’re tender before adding to the pepper sauce
• Fresh is best: Use fresh bell peppers for vibrant colours and crunch
• Serve immediately: This dish is best served hot and fresh

Storage Tips

• Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
• Reheat gently in a pan to maintain texture
• The bell peppers may soften when reheated

Variations

• Add other vegetables: Include sliced carrots or green beans
• Protein swap: Use chicken gizzards if turkey isn’t available
• Spice level: Reduce scotch bonnets and add sweet peppers for a milder version

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Serves: 4-6 people

Why This Recipe

The key to perfect peppered gizzard is cooking the gizzards until tender first, then adding them to a well-seasoned pepper sauce. The colourful bell peppers add sweetness, crunch, and visual appeal that makes this dish restaurant-quality.