Slow-Simmered Berbere Beef Stew with Injera Bread

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A richly spiced Ethiopian beef stew slow-cooked with berbere seasoning and served traditionally with injera, a sourdough flatbread. This african-inspired beef ready in about 170 minutes pairs pounds beef chuck, cubed, berbere spice blend, large yellow onion, finely chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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: 20 min Cook: 150 min Serves 4 African cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottom pot over medium heat. Add 1 large finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 7 minutes until translucent and starting to brown at the edges.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 1.5 pounds beef chuck cut into 1-inch cubes, searing for 5 minutes until the pieces are browned on all sides.
  4. Step 4: Mix in 3 tbsp berbere spice blend and 2 tbsp tomato paste, stirring for 2 minutes until the spices are toasted and the tomato paste darkens.
  5. Step 5: Pour in 2 cups water, season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, and bring to a simmer.
  6. Step 6: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 2 to 2.5 hours, stirring occasionally until the beef is tender and the sauce thickens.
  7. Step 7: Serve hot with 4 pieces of injera bread to scoop up the stew, enjoying the authentic Ethiopian pairing.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Berbere Beef Stew with Injera Bread take to make?

Total time is about 170 minutes (20 min prep + 150 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 Slow-Simmered Berbere Beef Stew with Injera Bread?

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 pounds beef chuck, cubed from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Berbere Beef Stew with Injera Bread?

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 Slow-Simmered Berbere Beef Stew with Injera Bread 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.

What goes well with Slow-Simmered Berbere Beef Stew with Injera Bread?

African beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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