Injera-Spiced Lentil Stew with Berbere and Mitmita

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-05 · Updated 2026-05-05

A hearty Ethiopian-inspired lentil stew infused with traditional berbere and mitmita spices, served with a tangy injera flavor profile in the sauce. This Ethiopian-inspired vegan recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs red lentils, water, onion, finely chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 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
• 3 cups water
• 1 medium (150 g) onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp berbere spice blend
• 1 tsp mitmita spice
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cups water or vegetable broth
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup red lentils under cold water until water runs clear.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated ginger, sautéing for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp berbere spice blend and 1 tsp mitmita spice, cooking for 2 minutes until aromatic.
4. Step 4: Add 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to blend flavors.
5. Step 5: Pour in the rinsed lentils, 3 cups water, and 2 cups vegetable broth. Stir well and bring to a boil.
6. Step 6: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes until lentils are tender and the stew thickens, stirring occasionally.
7. Step 7: Season with 1 tsp salt and 1 tbsp lemon juice, adjusting to taste.
8. Step 8: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro before serving warm.