Authentic Ethiopian Recipes: Cook Traditional Dishes at Home

Ethiopian cuisine is rich in flavors, spices, and cultural significance. Whether you’re new to Ethiopian food or looking to perfect your cooking skills, this guide will walk you through traditional dishes, their key ingredients, and step-by-step recipes.
1. Injera – The Staple of Ethiopian Cuisine
What is Injera?
Injera is a spongy, sourdough flatbread made from teff flour. It serves as the base for most Ethiopian meals, used both as food and a utensil to scoop up stews and curries.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups teff flour
- 3 cups water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dry yeast (optional for faster fermentation)
Instructions:
- Mix teff flour and water in a bowl. Cover and let it ferment for 2-3 days at room temperature.
- Once fermented, stir in the salt.
- Heat a non-stick pan and pour a thin layer of batter, covering the surface.
- Cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbles form. Cover and let it steam for another 30 seconds.
- Remove from heat and serve with stews!
2. Doro Wat – Spicy Ethiopian Chicken Stew
Doro Wat is Ethiopia’s most famous stew, made with chicken, onions, berbere spice, and eggs.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs chicken (cut into pieces)
- 2 large onions (finely chopped)
- 3 tbsp berbere spice
- 4 boiled eggs (peeled)
- ½ cup niter kibbeh (Ethiopian spiced butter)
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp minced ginger
- 1 cup chicken broth
Instructions:
- Cook the onions in a dry pan (no oil) over medium heat until caramelized.
- Add niter kibbeh, garlic, and ginger, then stir in berbere spice.
- Add the chicken pieces and cook until well coated with the spice mix.
- Pour in chicken broth, cover, and simmer for 40 minutes.
- Add the boiled eggs and let the flavors infuse for 10 minutes.
- Serve with injera!
3. Misir Wat – Ethiopian Red Lentil Stew
A vegan-friendly dish, Misir Wat is spicy, protein-packed, and pairs perfectly with injera.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup red lentils
- 1 large onion (chopped)
- 3 tbsp niter kibbeh
- 2 tbsp berbere spice
- 2 cups water
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Sauté onions in niter kibbeh until golden brown.
- Add berbere spice and tomato paste, cooking for 1 minute.
- Stir in lentils and add water. Cover and cook for 20 minutes until soft.
- Adjust salt to taste and serve with injera.
Where to Buy Authentic Ethiopian Ingredients?
You can find teff flour, berbere spice, and niter kibbeh online at Kibeb Store for the best quality Ethiopian ingredients.