Spiced Cooked Minced Beef with Berbere

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

A savory dish of finely minced beef cooked in a fragrant berbere spice blend, offering a rich and hearty flavor profile. This ethiopian-inspired african ready in about 35 minutes pairs ground beef, berbere spice blend, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 170 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: 20 min Serves 4 Ethiopian cuisine 170 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp cooking oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until golden, about 5 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, then add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon.
  4. Step 4: Cook the beef until browned, about 5 minutes, then stir in the berbere spice blend, salt, and black pepper.
  5. Step 5: Add the water and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Cooked Minced Beef with Berbere take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Cooked Minced Beef with Berbere?

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 Spiced Cooked Minced Beef with Berbere?

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 Cooked Minced Beef with Berbere 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 Cooked Minced Beef with Berbere?

Ethiopian african 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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