Stewed Berbere-Spiced Beef with Injera Crumble
A rich Ethiopian-inspired beef stew infused with berbere spice blend, served with a toasted injera crumble for a unique texture contrast. This ethiopian-inspired beef ready in about 130 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, berbere spice blend, medium yellow 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, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp berbere spice blend
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cups water
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 pieces injera flatbread
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, and 2 tbsp berbere spice blend, cooking for 2 minutes until aromatic.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb beef chuck cubes and brown on all sides for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and 2 cups water, then season with 1 tsp salt. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 1.5 hours until beef is tender.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F. Tear 2 pieces of injera flatbread into bite-size pieces, spread on a baking sheet, and toast for 10 minutes until crispy.
- Step 6: Once stew is done, serve topped with toasted injera crumble and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro for a fragrant finish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stewed Berbere-Spiced Beef with Injera Crumble take to make?
Total time is about 130 minutes (20 min prep + 110 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 Crumble?
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 berbere spice blend from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stewed Berbere-Spiced Beef with Injera Crumble?
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 Crumble 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 Crumble?
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.
