Stewed Berbere-Spiced Beef with Injera Flatbread

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender beef chunks slow-cooked in a rich, spicy berbere sauce served alongside traditional Ethiopian injera flatbread. This african-inspired beef ready in about 140 minutes pairs beef chuck, cubed, berbere spice blend, large yellow onion, finely chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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: 20 min Cook: 120 min Serves 4 African cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add 1 large finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 8 minutes until soft and golden.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger to the pot, cooking for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp berbere spice blend and 2 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 2 minutes to release the spices’ aroma.
  4. Step 4: Add 1.5 lbs cubed beef chuck and 1 tsp salt with 1/2 tsp black pepper, stirring to coat all beef pieces with the spice mixture.
  5. Step 5: Pour in 2 cups water, bring to a simmer, cover, reduce heat to low, and cook gently for 2 hours until beef is tender and sauce thickens.
  6. Step 6: Serve the stewed beef hot on plates alongside 4 pieces of injera flatbread to scoop up the stew.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Stewed Berbere-Spiced Beef with Injera Flatbread take to make?

Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 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 Flatbread?

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 Flatbread?

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 Flatbread 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 Flatbread?

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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