Spiced Berbere Beef Stew with Injera

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A deeply aromatic stew featuring tender beef simmered in a complex berbere spice blend, served with soft, tangy injera bread for scooping up every flavorful bite. This ethiopian-inspired beef ready in about 100 minutes pairs beef chuck, berbere spice mix, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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: 25 min Cook: 75 min Serves 4 Ethiopian cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Dice 1.5 lbs beef chuck into 1-inch cubes and pat dry with paper towels. In a heavy pot, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering, then sear beef in batches for 3 minutes per side until browned — do not overcrowd the pot.
  2. Step 2: Finely chop 2 medium onions and 4 garlic cloves, then add to the pot with 2 tbsp tomato paste. Sauté for 3 minutes until onions are translucent and paste deepens in color.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp berbere spice mix and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then pour in 3 cups chicken stock. Add 2 diced potatoes and 2 diced carrots, bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low.
  4. Step 4: Simmer uncovered for 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are soft. Adjust seasoning with salt if needed.
  5. Step 5: Serve stew hot with 4 large injera breads, tearing pieces to scoop up the stew and vegetables.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Berbere Beef Stew with Injera take to make?

Total time is about 100 minutes (25 min prep + 75 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 Spiced Berbere Beef Stew with Injera?

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 from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Berbere Beef Stew with Injera?

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 Spiced Berbere Beef Stew with Injera 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 Spiced Berbere Beef Stew with Injera?

Ethiopian 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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