Spiced Ethiopian Zigni Wat Ground Beef Stew

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fiery Ethiopian beef stew slow-cooked with berbere and sweet onions, delivering deep, bold flavors. This african-inspired beef ready in about 65 minutes pairs ground beef, medium, finely sliced yellow onions, minced 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 50 min Serves 4 African cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Step 5: Pour in 1 cup water, reduce heat to low, and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally until the stew thickens.
  6. Step 6: Season with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 3/4 tsp black pepper, stir well, and serve hot.

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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?

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.

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