Simmered Berbere-Spiced Ethiopian Lentil Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-11 · Updated 2026-05-11

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A warming lentil stew infused with traditional Ethiopian berbere spices, simmered to a rich and hearty consistency. This Ethiopian-inspired vegan recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs red lentils, water, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 230 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: 35 min Serves 4 Ethiopian cuisine 230 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 cup red lentils
4 cups water
1 cup diced yellow onion
3 minced garlic cloves
2 tbsp berbere spice blend
2 tbsp tomato paste
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

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Instructions

Step 1: Rinse 1 cup red lentils under cold water until water runs clear, then set aside.
Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 cup diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 5 minutes until onions are translucent and fragrant.
Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp berbere spice blend and 2 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 2 minutes until the spices are fragrant and the tomato paste darkens slightly.
Step 4: Add the rinsed lentils and 4 cups water to the pot, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally until lentils are tender and the stew thickens.
Step 5: Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, adjust seasoning to taste.
Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro for brightness before serving.