Spiced Ethiopian Zigni Wat Ground Beef Stew
A fiery Ethiopian beef stew slow-cooked with berbere and sweet onions, delivering deep, bold flavors. This Ethiopian-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 65 minutes, pairs ground beef, yellow onions, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 sliced yellow onions
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp berbere spice blend
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup water
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Add 2 medium finely sliced yellow onions without oil and cook for 10 minutes, stirring often until deeply softened and golden brown.
- Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp berbere spice blend and 3 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 4 minutes until the paste darkens and spices release aroma.
- Step 4: Add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, and cook for 8 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 5: Pour in 1 cup water, reduce heat to low, and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally until the stew thickens.
- Step 6: Season with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 3/4 tsp black pepper, stir well, and serve hot.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Ethiopian Zigni Wat Ground Beef Stew take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 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 Ethiopian Zigni Wat Ground Beef Stew?
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 Ethiopian Zigni Wat Ground Beef Stew?
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 Ethiopian Zigni Wat Ground Beef Stew 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 Ethiopian Zigni Wat Ground Beef Stew?
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.
