Berbere-Spiced Ground Beef Stew with Tomato and Onion

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A richly spiced Ethiopian-style ground beef stew simmered with berbere, tomatoes, and caramelized onions for deep flavor. This african-inspired beef ready in about 55 minutes pairs ground beef, large yellow onion, thinly sliced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 African cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion and cook for 8-10 minutes until deeply caramelized and golden brown.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 3 tbsp berbere spice blend to the skillet, stirring constantly for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp tomato paste and 1 cup water, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  5. Step 5: Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the beef. Season with salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper to taste.
  6. Step 6: Serve hot with injera or rice.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Berbere-Spiced Ground Beef Stew with Tomato and Onion take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Berbere-Spiced Ground Beef Stew with Tomato and Onion?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Berbere-Spiced Ground Beef Stew with Tomato and Onion?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Berbere-Spiced Ground Beef Stew with Tomato and Onion for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Berbere-Spiced Ground Beef Stew with Tomato and Onion?

African beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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