Ethiopian-Inspired Spiced Vegetable Stew with Injera Croutons

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

A vibrant vegetable stew simmered with berbere and Ethiopian spices, served with crisp injera croutons for a delightful vegan entrée or side. This african-inspired vegan (vegan) ready in about 50 minutes pairs large, chopped yellow onion, minced garlic cloves, berbere spice blend 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 African cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large chopped yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp berbere spice blend, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for another 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
  4. Step 4: Add 2 medium sliced carrots, 2 medium diced potatoes, and 1 cup trimmed green beans to the pot. Stir well to coat with spices.
  5. Step 5: Pour in 3 cups vegetable broth, season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, and bring to a boil.
  6. Step 6: Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes until vegetables are tender and stew thickens.
  7. Step 7: Meanwhile, heat a dry skillet over medium heat and toast 2 injera flatbreads cut into 1-inch squares for 3-4 minutes until crisp on both sides to create injera croutons.
  8. Step 8: Serve the vegetable stew hot, topped with the injera croutons for added texture and traditional flavor.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Ethiopian-Inspired Spiced Vegetable Stew with Injera Croutons take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Ethiopian-Inspired Spiced Vegetable Stew with Injera Croutons?

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 large, chopped yellow onion from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Ethiopian-Inspired Spiced Vegetable Stew with Injera Croutons?

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 Ethiopian-Inspired Spiced Vegetable Stew with Injera Croutons 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.

Is Ethiopian-Inspired Spiced Vegetable Stew with Injera Croutons vegan?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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