Siga Wot

Savor the bold and complex flavors of Siga Wot, a traditional Ethiopian beef stew that will transport your taste buds to East Africa. This hearty dish features tender cubes of beef simmered to perfection in a rich, spiced sauce made with fragrant berbere spice mix, minced garlic, and ginger. The unique cooking technique begins with dry-toasting onions for a depth of flavor before incorporating silky clarified butter (niter kibbeh) and tomato paste to build a luxurious base. Slowly braised with water or beef stock, the stew develops a melt-in-your-mouth texture and is utterly delicious when served with injera, Ethiopia's signature flatbread, or a hearty bowl of rice. Packed with warming spices, this one-pot wonder is perfect for family dinners or sharing with friends, showcasing the essence of Ethiopian cuisine.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:115 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef (boneless, cubed)
• 2 large onion (finely minced)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon ginger (minced)
• 2 tablespoons berbere spice mix
• 3 tablespoons clarified butter (niter kibbeh, or substitute with unsalted butter)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 3 cups water or beef stock
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons optional: fresh cilantro (chopped, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the minced onions to the dry pot (without oil) and cook, stirring frequently, until they soften and begin to caramelize, about 10–12 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the clarified butter (niter kibbeh), garlic, and ginger. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the berbere spice mix and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

Step 5

Mix in the tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes, allowing it to combine with the spices.

Step 6

Add the cubed beef and stir well to coat with the spice mixture. Cook for 5–7 minutes, letting the beef brown on all sides.

Step 7

Pour in the water or beef stock, ensuring the beef is just covered. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.

Step 8

Simmer the stew for 60–90 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened.

Step 9

Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning as needed.

Step 10

Serve hot with injera or rice, garnished with fresh cilantro if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2045.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2859.1

Total Fat 226.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 99.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 834.8mg	0%
Sodium 3064.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 48.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.2g	0%
Total Sugars 17.1g
Protein 179.7g	0%

Vitamin D 25.6IU	0%
Calcium 231.8mg	0%
Iron 27.5mg	0%
Potassium 3375.8mg	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: 69.0%

Protein: 24.4%

Carbs: 6.6%