Ethiopian-Inspired Spiced Vegetable Tibs with Injera

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

A vibrant stir-fry of mixed vegetables seasoned with berbere spices, served alongside traditional injera flatbread for an authentic Ethiopian meal. This ethiopian-inspired vegetarian ready in about 25 minutes pairs medium, julienned carrots, medium, sliced into half-moons zucchini, large, thinly sliced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Ethiopian cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion and sauté for 4 minutes until softened.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp berbere spice blend, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 julienned medium carrots, 1 large sliced red bell pepper, and 1 medium sliced zucchini. Stir-fry the vegetables for 7-8 minutes until they are tender-crisp.
  4. Step 4: Season the vegetables with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and drizzle 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice. Stir well to combine and remove from heat.
  5. Step 5: Warm 4 injera flatbreads according to package instructions and serve alongside the vegetable tibs for scooping and eating.

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Tibs with Injera?

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 medium, julienned carrots from drying out.

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

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 Tibs with Injera 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 Tibs with Injera vegetarian?

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

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