Quick & Tasty Nigerian Indomie Noodles Recipe You’ll Love

Nigerian Indomie Noodles with Smoked Sausages

Category: Around The World / Quick & Easy Meals / Trending Now

Tagline: Nigeria’s beloved instant noodles elevated to a flavorful feast!

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes | Serves: 2-3

Ingredients:

For the Noodles:

2 packs Indomie instant noodles (any flavour – chicken is most popular)
4-5 smoked sausages (beef or chicken), sliced diagonally
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 cups water (for cooking noodles)

Vegetables:

1 medium onion, sliced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 medium tomatoes, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 scotch bonnet or habanero pepper, finely chopped (optional, for heat)
2-3 spring onions (green onions), chopped

Additional Seasonings:

Seasoning packets from Indomie (comes with noodles)
1 teaspoon curry powder
½ teaspoon thyme
1 stock cube (Maggi or Knorr)
Salt and black pepper to taste
½ teaspoon paprika (optional)

Optional Protein Add-ins:

2 eggs (for fried or scrambled eggs on top)
Cooked shrimp
Shredded chicken

For Garnish:

Fresh chopped spring onions
Fresh cilantro or parsley

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients. Slice the smoked sausages diagonally into ½-inch pieces. Dice all vegetables – onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes. Mince the garlic. Chop the spring onions, keeping the white and green parts separate. Have all your ingredients ready before you start cooking (mise en place).

Step 2: Fry the Sausages. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the sliced smoked sausages and fry for 3-4 minutes until they have nice brown char marks and are slightly crispy on the edges. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics. In the same pan, add another tablespoon of oil if needed. Add the sliced onions and minced garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and the onions start to soften.

Step 4: Add Vegetables. Add the diced bell peppers (red and green) and tomatoes to the pan. If using scotch bonnet or habanero pepper for heat, add it now (adjust amount based on your spice tolerance). Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until vegetables are slightly softened but still have a bit of crunch.

Step 5: Season the Vegetables. Add the curry powder, thyme, stock cube (crumbled), paprika, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Stir everything together and let the spices cook for about 1 minute to release their flavours.

Step 6: Cook the Noodles. While vegetables are cooking, bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a separate pot. Add the Indomie noodles (without the seasoning packets yet) and cook for 2-3 minutes until just tender but still firm (al dente). Don’t overcook – the noodles will continue cooking when mixed with vegetables. Drain and set aside, reserving about ½ cup of the cooking water.

Step 7: Combine Everything. Add the cooked noodles to the pan with the vegetables. Add the Indomie seasoning packets (both the powder and oil sachets). Toss everything together, mixing well so the noodles are evenly coated with the seasonings and vegetables.

Step 8: Add Sausages Back Return the fried smoked sausages to the pan. Add the white parts of the spring onions. Toss everything together for 1-2 minutes until well combined and heated through. If the noodles seem dry, add a splash of the reserved noodle cooking water to loosen them up.

Step 9: Final Touches Taste and adjust seasoning if needed – add more salt, pepper, or seasoning as desired. The noodles should be flavorful, slightly glossy, and well-coated with the seasonings.

Step 10: Serve Transfer the noodles to serving plates. Garnish generously with the green parts of spring onions and fresh herbs if using. Serve immediately while hot!

Chef’s Tips:

For the Best Nigerian-Style Indomie:

Don’t overcook the noodles – They should be slightly firm, not mushy
High heat is key – Quick stir-frying keeps vegetables crisp and noodles from clumping
Use the seasoning packets – Indomie packets are essential for authentic flavor
Adjust spice level – Scotch bonnet adds authentic Nigerian heat, but it’s optional

Sausage Options:

Smoked beef sausages (most traditional)
Chicken sausages (lighter option)
Turkey sausages
Spicy sausages for extra kick
Or mix different types!

Vegetable Variations:

Add cabbage (shredded) for extra crunch
Include carrots (julienned) for colour
Add green beans or snap peas
Toss in spinach or ugu (pumpkin leaves) at the end
Include corn kernels for sweetness

Protein Boost:

Fried Egg: Top with a sunny-side-up fried egg (Nigerian style!)
Scrambled Eggs: Mix in beaten eggs during cooking
Chicken: Add shredded cooked chicken
Shrimp: Toss in cooked shrimp
Corned Beef: Nigerian favourite – add canned corned beef

Make it Extra Special:

Drizzle with a bit of sesame oil for aroma
Add a squeeze of lime juice for brightness
Sprinkle with fried onions for crunch
Serve with fried plantains on the side (very Nigerian!)

Storage & Reheating:

Storage:

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days
Note: Noodles will absorb liquid and may dry out slightly

Reheating:

Stovetop (best method): Reheat in a pan with a splash of water or broth, stirring frequently
Microwave: Heat in 30-second intervals, adding a tablespoon of water to prevent drying
Add fresh spring onions after reheating for freshness

Serving Suggestions:

Traditional Nigerian Pairings:

Fried plantains (dodo) – Sweet and savoury combination
Boiled eggs – Protein boost
Grilled chicken – For a heartier meal
Fresh vegetables – Cucumber and tomato salad
Nigerian pepper sauce – For spice lovers
Chin chin – Nigerian fried snack on the side
Malt drink or Zobo – Traditional Nigerian beverages

Meal Ideas:

Quick weeknight dinner
Late-night snack (very popular in Nigeria!)
Student meal (affordable and filling)
Weekend brunch
Lunch box meal
After-party food

Cultural Context:

Indomie noodles hold a special place in Nigerian cuisine and culture. Though Indomie is an Indonesian brand, it has been fully adopted and adapted by Nigerians since the 1990s, becoming one of the most beloved convenience foods in the country.

Why Indomie is So Popular in Nigeria:

Affordable: Budget-friendly meal option
Quick: Ready in minutes for busy lifestyles
Versatile: Can be customised endlessly
Filling: Satisfying and comforting
Nostalgic: Childhood favourite for many Nigerians

Nigerian cooks have elevated instant noodles far beyond the basic preparation instructions, turning them into elaborate dishes with vegetables, proteins, and bold seasonings. It’s commonly prepared for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or as a late-night snack. University students, busy professionals, and families all enjoy Nigerian-style Indomie.

Variations:

1. Nigerian Indomie Stir-Fry (Dry):

Cook noodles, drain completely
Stir-fry with minimal liquid for drier noodles
Popular street food style

2. Indomie with Egg (Omelette Style):

Beat 2 eggs with Indomie seasoning
Pour cooked noodles into the egg mixture
Fry like an omelette – crispy outside, soft inside

3. Spicy Indomie:

Add extra scotch bonnet peppers
Include suya spice (Nigerian spice blend)
Serve with hot pepper sauce

4. Seafood Indomie:

Add shrimp, fish, or crab
Use seafood-flavoured Indomie
Garnish with cilantro

5. Indomie Soup:

Use more water, don’t drain noodles
Add vegetables and protein
Serve as a soupy noodle dish

6. Vegetarian Indomie:

Skip the sausages
Load up on vegetables
Add tofu or mushrooms for protein

Indomie Flavor Options:

While this recipe works with any Indomie flavor, here are popular choices in Nigeria:

Chicken Flavor (most popular)
Onion Chicken
Jollof
Vegetable
Beef
Shrimp
Spicy

Mix different flavors for unique combinations!

Nutritional Information (per serving, serves 3):

(Nutritional values are approximate and will vary based on specific brands and ingredients used)

Troubleshooting:

Noodles are mushy:

You overcooked them – cook for only 2-3 minutes
Drain immediately when done
Don’t let them sit in hot water

Dish is too dry:

Add reserved noodle cooking water
Drizzle with a bit of oil
Add a splash of broth

Not flavorful enough:

Use both seasoning packets from Indomie
Add extra stock cube
Don’t skip the curry powder and thyme
Taste and adjust seasoning

Too spicy:

Remove seeds from scotch bonnet before adding
Use less hot pepper
Serve with extra vegetables to balance the heat

Vegetables are overcooked:

Use high heat and quick cooking
Don’t stir-fry vegetables too long
Add delicate vegetables at the end

Fun Facts:

Indomie is so popular in Nigeria that “make me Indomie” is a common phrase among friends and family
Nigerian students have perfected the art of making Indomie with just a kettle in their dorm rooms
There are social media groups and forums dedicated to Indomie recipes and hacks
Indomie has become part of Nigerian pop culture, referenced in songs and comedy sketches
Some Nigerian restaurants now serve gourmet versions of Indomie!

Shopping Tips:

Where to Find Indomie:

African/International grocery stores
Asian supermarkets
Online retailers (Amazon, specialty food sites)
Some regular supermarkets in the international sections

If You Can’t Find Indomie:

Use any instant ramen or noodles
Adjust seasonings to taste
Add your own spices to replicate the flavour

This Nigerian Indomie with Smoked Sausages is comfort food at its finest – quick, affordable, flavorful, and endlessly customizable. It’s a taste of Nigerian street food culture that you can easily recreate at home!