Ethiopian Berbere-Spiced Lentil Stew with Collard Greens
Hearty red lentils simmered with aromatic berbere spices and tender collard greens for a warming vegetarian dish. This Ethiopian-inspired vegan recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 45 minutes, pairs red lentils, rinsed, water, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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.
Ingredients
- 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
- 3 cups water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
- 2 tbsp berbere spice blend
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 cups collard greens, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 large chopped yellow onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 2 tbsp berbere spice blend and 1 tbsp tomato paste, stirring constantly for 2 minutes to toast the spices.
- Step 4: Add 1 cup rinsed red lentils and 3 cups water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
- Step 5: Stir in 3 cups chopped collard greens, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Continue simmering for 10 minutes until lentils are tender and greens wilted.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
- Step 7: Serve warm with injera or rice.








