Slow-Simmered Berbere Beef Stew with Injera Crumble

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A warming Ethiopian beef stew infused with spicy berbere and served with crumbled injera bread for an authentic experience. This african-inspired beef ready in about 140 minutes pairs beef chuck, cubed, berbere spice mix, large yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 120 min Serves 4 African cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 large diced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and slightly caramelized.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger to the pot, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 1.5 lbs cubed beef chuck and sear for 6-8 minutes until browned on all sides.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp berbere spice mix and 2 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 2 minutes to toast the spices and deepen flavor.
  5. Step 5: Pour in 3 cups beef broth, add 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 2 hours until beef is tender.
  6. Step 6: Just before serving, tear 2 pieces of injera bread into small crumbles and sprinkle over the stew for added texture and traditional flavor.

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 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 Crumble?

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 beef chuck, cubed from drying out.

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

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 Crumble 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 Crumble?

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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