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Home / Collections / Healthy Options

Ethiopian Lentil Stew

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Author: Imma Published:10/12/2015Updated:5/03/2021
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Ethiopian Lentil Stew – a healthy vegan Ethiopian-spiced Lentil Stew laced with homemade berbere spice and Niter kibbeh or spiced butter. You will love every spoonful of this protein and fiber-packed meal and won’t even miss the meat!

a bowl of Ethiopian Lentil Stew with berbere spice mix and a ladle  in the background

To some people, Lentils may be synonymous with “dull and boring.” However, dull and boring doesn’t even come close to describing this spiced Ethiopian stewed lentils. It’s rich, layered, and full of complex flavors.

One of my favorite Ethiopian Side dish, I can eat this any day of the week without complaining and you would too, once you’ve tried it. It’s great when served with this injera.

a plate of stacked Injera with servings of lentil stew and collard greens in the background

Accompanied with this spiced collard green and it tastes even better with rice or quinoa.

Ethiopian Lentil Stew served with Ethiopian collard greens and injera

If you are not familiar with lentils, they are tiny little legumes with… guess what? 13 grams of protein and a great source of fiber. Oh yeah!

Homemade injera topped with Ethiopian collard greens and lentil stew

The easiest way to make a flavor-packed Ethiopian meal is to just use the quintessential spice mix – Berebere. You can purchase some at an Ethiopian market, or make your own Berbere spice mix. I always advocate homemade spice, because you can customize it to suit your preference and even go easy with the chili. That is if you have an aversion to hot peppers.

a white bowl of Ethiopian Lentil Stew

And don’t forget to include this spiced Ethiopian clarified butter, it sure does add some flavor into this stewed lentils, or switch it out for coconut oil instead if you want a paleo-friendly meal.

Enjoy!!

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Ethiopian Lentil Stew
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Ethiopian Lentil Stew

Ethiopian Lentil Stew – a healthy vegan Ethiopian-spiced Lentil Stew laced with homemade berbere spice and Niter kibbeh or spiced butter. You will love every spoonful of this protein and fiber-packed meal and won't even miss the meat!
4.89 from 52 votes
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 35 mins
Total: 50 mins
African
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 1 -2 tablespoons spiced butter /Coconut oil/
  • ¼ cup cooking oil
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 1 ½ tablespoons berbere spice Homemade here
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • ½ tablespoon fresh minced ginger
  • 1 teaspoon coriander or cumin
  • 1-2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 cup dry lentils, soaked for 2 hours
  • 1 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 cups or more broth vegetable/chicken or water
  • 2 tablespoons or more chopped parsley/Cilantro
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Heat up a large saucepan with oil, spiced butter, then add onions, berbere spice, garlic, ginger, cumin, and smoked paprika. Stir occasionally for about 2-3 minutes until onions are translucent.
  • Then add soaked lentils, tomato paste. Stir and sauté for about 2-3 more minutes. Add stock or water, then season with salt.
  • Bring to a boil and let it simmer until the sauce thickens. It might take about 30 minutes or depending on how you like your lentils. Throw in some parsley, adjust for salt, pepper, and stew consistency. Serve warm with injera or as is.

Tips & Notes:

  • Don’t have the spiced butter? You can switch it out with coconut oil.
  • Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.
 

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 352kcal (18%)| Carbohydrates: 34g (11%)| Protein: 13g (26%)| Fat: 18g (28%)| Saturated Fat: 4g (25%)| Sodium: 217mg (9%)| Potassium: 578mg (17%)| Fiber: 16g (67%)| Sugar: 2g (2%)| Vitamin A: 570IU (11%)| Vitamin C: 10.8mg (13%)| Calcium: 47mg (5%)| Iron: 5.6mg (31%)
Author: Imma
Course: Main
Cuisine: African
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Comments & Reviews
  1. Emma says

    Posted on 4/28 at 7:07AM

    5 stars
    I have to say, this recipe is absolutely amazing. Pretty simple to make and tastes wonderful. Really pleased I found this recipe. Made my own berbere as recommended. Perfect amount of heat v flavour. Thanks for sharing

    Reply
    • Amina says

      Posted on 4/28 at 4:13PM

      Woohoo! Sounds amazing that it turns good for you. try more recipes for more amazing experiences. Thank you

      Reply
  2. Colleen Minardi says

    Posted on 3/27 at 7:03AM

    This recipe is outstanding! All the flavors make it a luxurious dish!

    Reply
    • imma africanbites says

      Posted on 3/27 at 11:18AM

      Thank you for taking the time to comment, Colleen. I’m glad it turned out great for you.

      Reply
  3. KS says

    Posted on 3/26 at 11:59PM

    5 stars
    Wonderful recipe! It came out just the way this dish tastes at Ethiopian restaurants.
    I was able to replace the berbere spice and coriander/cumin with 1.5tbsp sambar powder (available at Indian stores) + 0.5tsp cinnamon + 0.5tsp clove powder. Also two mashed fresh tomatoes instead of the tomato paste.
    The lentils were very hard even after 30min of cooking, and it would be better to soften them first in a pressure cooker or insta-pot.

    Reply
  4. Wendy Riley says

    Posted on 3/25 at 3:33PM

    5 stars
    I have made this recipe so many times. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. With the collard greens, it’s one of my all time favorites. Sometimes i add eggplant. It’s fabulous!

    Reply
    • imma africanbites says

      Posted on 3/25 at 4:18PM

      I love that idea of adding eggplant! Thank you for taking the time to comment, Wendy. I’m glad this always turns out great for you.

      Reply
  5. Svetlana Cherches says

    Posted on 12/25 at 9:49PM

    I added potatoes and carrots – I LOVE this recipe. The spices are perfect.

    Reply
  6. Tiffany says

    Posted on 11/16 at 9:19AM

    5 stars
    Was excited to make this, then realized my lentils were faaaaar out of date. Had red kidney beans I had made in pressure cooker and subbed those. They were the best beans I’ve ever eaten. Will try with the lentils next. This will go into rotation. Thank you!

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 11/16 at 11:54AM

      Yay! Love to hear that! Love it!

      Reply
  7. Corey Anderson says

    Posted on 11/15 at 4:25PM

    5 stars
    I am addicted to this Miser Wot!! So delicious, easy to make, and easy to digest. I’m making this on the regular.

    Reply
  8. Susan says

    Posted on 9/18 at 4:22PM

    What type of lentils do you use for this recipe?

    Reply
    • imma africanbites says

      Posted on 9/20 at 9:47AM

      Hi, Susan. It would work for any type of lentils. But I use the yellow ones for this recipe.

      Reply
  9. Laurie Rasor says

    Posted on 7/25 at 5:34PM

    5 stars
    Have A Good Day

    Reply
    • Immaculate Bites says

      Posted on 7/25 at 11:28PM

      Hi Laurie!

      Reply
  10. Glyn says

    Posted on 6/24 at 6:41PM

    5 stars
    Delicious!!!

    Reply
  11. Sharon McNab says

    Posted on 5/24 at 6:02AM

    5 stars
    Delicious!!

    Reply
    • Immaculate Bites says

      Posted on 5/25 at 1:09AM

      Thank you, Sharon! 🙂

      Reply
  12. Lily says

    Posted on 5/2 at 5:47AM

    I can’t wait to make this! I’m trying all sorts on international foods to slice up my meals. Need help with one bit on this one: what is spiced butter? What spices are added to the butter?

    Reply
    • Immaculate Bites says

      Posted on 5/3 at 12:13AM

      Hi Lily! Here is my recipe for the spiced butter: https://www.africanbites.com/ethiopian-spiced-butter-niter-kibbeh/
      Let me know how it turns out 🙂

      Reply
      • Lily says

        Posted on 5/3 at 1:59PM

        5 stars
        Thank you!!! This was my first try at an Ethiopian dish. Absolutely delicious!

  13. Carly Farmer says

    Posted on 4/26 at 11:42AM

    5 stars
    Oh wow! So yummy!!! All three recipes I have tried from your site have been wonderful! Love the canjeero/injera and the gomen.

    Reply
    • Immaculate Bites says

      Posted on 4/27 at 2:20AM

      Thank you, Carly! 🙂

      Reply
  14. Eugenia A says

    Posted on 4/8 at 4:16AM

    5 stars
    Easy recipe to make. Delicious.

    Reply
    • Immaculate Bites says

      Posted on 4/8 at 9:16PM

      Thank you, Eugenia!

      Reply
  15. Rachel Hutchins says

    Posted on 3/24 at 3:14PM

    I really liked this recipe! I usually find lentils aggressively bland, but this was nicely spiced.

    Reply
    • Immaculate Bites says

      Posted on 3/25 at 1:33AM

      Thank you, Rachel! Glad you liked it 🙂

      Reply
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