Brochettes (Meat Skewers)

  • Total time - 50 minutes (plus 2 hours marinating)
  • Preparation - 20 minutes
  • Marinating/Chilling - 2 hours
  • Grilling - 10 minutes
  • Servings: 4
  • Country: Mali
Beef Brochettes skewers on a metal rod sprinkled with red-brown spice, served on a wooden board.

The magic of Brochettes lies in the rich, spicy marinade based on peanut powder and intense chili. If you cannot find the special Yaji spice, you can easily create a similar blend at home.

Brochettes are traditionally grilled over an open fire (charcoal), which gives them a smoky undertone. However, they can also be easily prepared in a pan or on a grill in the oven.

When using peanut powder, it is necessary to mark the 'nut-free' dietary category as unsuitable.

Ingredients

For the Beef Skewers

  • 700 g beef (sirloin or tenderloin), cut into 2 cm cubes
  • 8 pieces wooden or metal skewers

For the Peanut Marinade (Yaji Mix)

  • 0.5 cups unsalted ground peanut powder (or finely ground roasted peanuts)
  • 1 tbsp sweet paprika
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper or ground chili (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp dried garlic (or granulated)
  • 1 tsp dried ginger
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil (for brushing the meat before grilling)

For Serving

  • 1 large piece onion, thinly sliced
  • lemon/lime, sliced into wedges

Instructions

Step 1: Preparing the Marinade

In a medium bowl, mix all the ingredients for the peanut marinade (except the oil for brushing): peanut powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, dried garlic and ginger, and salt.

Step 2: Marinating the Meat

Place the meat cubes into the marinade and coat them thoroughly. Make sure every piece is covered with the spice mixture.

Cover the meat and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, ideally 4 hours, or overnight.

Step 3: Skewering and Grilling

Skewer the marinated meat onto the rods. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes beforehand to prevent them from burning.

Preheat the grill or pan to medium-high to high heat. Brush the skewers with a little oil.

Grill for 3–5 minutes per side until the meat is cooked to the desired degree of doneness (medium-done takes about 10–12 minutes total).

Step 4: Serving

Serve immediately, sprinkled with fresh onion slices. Traditionally, they are served with a piece of lemon or lime for drizzling, along with rice, manioc, or couscous.