Ethiopian Lentils with Berebere Spice Mix

Dive into the rich, spicy world of Ethiopian cuisine with this comforting recipe for Ethiopian Lentils with Berbere Spice Mix. Featuring tender red lentils simmered in a fragrant blend of sautéed onions, garlic, ginger, and a bold Berbere seasoning, this dish is bursting with layers of flavor that are at once smoky, spicy, and complex. Tomato paste adds depth, while fresh cilantro makes for a refreshing garnish. Ready in just 40 minutes, this vegan and gluten-free dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or as part of an Ethiopian-inspired feast. Whether served with traditional injera, flatbread, or over fluffy rice, these lentils are sure to become a new favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 medium onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 inch ginger
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons Berbere spice mix
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the lentils thoroughly under cold water and set aside.

Step 2

Finely dice the onion, mince the garlic, and grate the ginger.

Step 3

In a large pot or saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.

Step 4

Add the diced onion to the pot and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened and golden brown.

Step 5

Stir in the minced garlic, grated ginger, and Berbere spice mix. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until the spices are fragrant.

Step 6

Add the tomato paste to the pot and cook, stirring, for another 1-2 minutes to deepen its flavor.

Step 7

Stir in the rinsed lentils and pour in the water. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 8

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the lentils simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until they are tender and the mixture has thickened.

Step 9

Stir occasionally to prevent the lentils from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Add more water if necessary to reach your desired consistency.

Step 10

Season with salt and adjust to taste.

Step 11

Remove from heat and garnish with fresh cilantro if desired. Serve warm with injera, flatbread, or rice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1163.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	605.2

Total Fat 29.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.8g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2427.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 73.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.0g	0%
Total Sugars 14.7g
Protein 22.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 171.9mg	0%
Iron 9.3mg	0%
Potassium 1464.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 40.4%

Protein: 14.2%

Carbs: 45.5%