Slow-Simmered Berbere Beef Stew with Injera Crumbles

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty Ethiopian-inspired beef stew slow-cooked with berbere spice blend, served with crumbled injera flatbread for a traditional and flavorful experience. This african-inspired beef ready in about 145 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, berbere spice blend, garlic cloves, minced 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: 15 min Cook: 130 min Serves 4 African cuisine 480 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs beef chuck cubes and brown on all sides for 5-7 minutes, then remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 6-7 minutes until softened and translucent.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, and 3 tbsp berbere spice blend to the onions. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen flavor.
  5. Step 5: Return the browned beef to the pot, pour in 3 cups beef broth, and season with 1.5 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 2 hours until the beef is tender and the sauce thickens.
  6. Step 6: Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F. Tear 2 large injera flatbreads into bite-sized pieces and spread on a baking sheet. Toast in oven for 8-10 minutes until crisp but not burnt.
  7. Step 7: To serve, ladle the stew into bowls, sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, and top with the toasted injera crumbles for added texture and traditional flavor.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 145 minutes (15 min prep + 130 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 Crumbles?

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 berbere spice blend from drying out.

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

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 Crumbles 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 Crumbles?

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.

Related recipes