Slow-Simmered Spiced Lentil Stew with Berbere

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 developed and reviewed.

A hearty Ethiopian lentil stew richly flavored with berbere spice and simmered until tender and savory. This Ethiopian-inspired vegan recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs red lentils, water, yellow onion, finely chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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: 40 min Serves 4 Ethiopian cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup red lentils under cold water until the water runs clear. Set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
  3. Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger to the pot, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp berbere spice blend and 2 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 2 minutes to deepen the flavors.
  5. Step 5: Add the rinsed lentils and 3 cups water, stirring to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer gently uncovered for 30 minutes.
  6. Step 6: If the stew thickens too much, add up to 1 cup additional water or vegetable broth to reach desired consistency. Season with salt to taste.
  7. Step 7: Continue simmering until lentils are tender and the sauce is thick and rich, about 10 more minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

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