Stewed Berbere-Spiced Beef with Injera
A traditional Ethiopian beef stew simmered in a rich berbere spice blend, served alongside soft, tangy injera flatbread. This african-inspired beef ready in about 85 minutes pairs beef chuck, cubed, berbere spice mix, large red onion, finely chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 beef chuck, cubed
- 2 tbsp berbere spice mix
- 1 large red onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cups water
- 3 tbsp niter kibbeh (Ethiopian spiced butter) or unsalted butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 pieces injera bread
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp niter kibbeh or unsalted butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large finely chopped red onion and sauté for 5-6 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated ginger, cooking for 2 minutes until aromatic.
- Step 3: Add 2 tbsp berbere spice mix and 2 tbsp tomato paste, stirring constantly for 3 minutes so the spices bloom and the mixture thickens slightly.
- Step 4: Add 1 lb cubed beef chuck, tossing to coat all pieces with the spiced mixture, and cook for 5 minutes until the beef browns on all sides.
- Step 5: Pour in 2 cups water, season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 1 hour or until the beef is tender and the sauce thickens.
- Step 6: Serve the beef stew hot, accompanied by 4 pieces of injera bread to scoop up the rich sauce and tender meat.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stewed Berbere-Spiced Beef with Injera take to make?
Total time is about 85 minutes (15 min prep + 70 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 Stewed Berbere-Spiced Beef 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, cubed from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stewed Berbere-Spiced Beef 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 Stewed Berbere-Spiced Beef 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 Stewed Berbere-Spiced Beef with Injera?
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.
