Slow-Simmered Berbere Spiced Zigni Wat with Ground Beef

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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 richly spiced Eritrean-style stew featuring ground beef slowly cooked with berbere and aromatic ingredients for deep flavor. This African-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 75 minutes, pairs ground beef, red onion, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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: 60 min Serves 4 African cuisine 350 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Nonstick skillets worth buying → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add 2 finely chopped red onions and sauté for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger root, cooking for 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add 3 tbsp berbere spice mix and 2 tbsp tomato paste, stirring to coat the onions and spices evenly; cook for 3 minutes until the mixture darkens and becomes aromatic.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook for 8 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
  5. Step 5: Pour in 1 1/2 cups water, add 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, stir well to combine.
  6. Step 6: Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer gently for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld.
  7. Step 7: Optional: Stir in 1 tbsp butter at the end for a glossy finish. Serve hot with injera or flatbread.

Related recipes