Slow-Simmered Berbere Spiced Zigni Wat with Ground Beef
A richly spiced Eritrean-style stew featuring ground beef slowly cooked with berbere and aromatic ingredients for deep flavor. This african-inspired beef ready in about 75 minutes pairs ground beef, medium, finely chopped red onion, minced 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 medium, finely chopped red onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, minced ginger root
- 3 tbsp berbere spice mix
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp (optional) butter
Instructions
- 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.
- Step 2: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger root, cooking for 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 6: Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer gently for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld.
- Step 7: Optional: Stir in 1 tbsp butter at the end for a glossy finish. Serve hot with injera or flatbread.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Berbere Spiced Zigni Wat with Ground Beef take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 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 Spiced Zigni Wat with Ground Beef?
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 ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Berbere Spiced Zigni Wat with Ground Beef?
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 Spiced Zigni Wat with Ground Beef 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 Spiced Zigni Wat with Ground Beef?
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.
