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Berbere Lentil Stew in a pale pink bowl placed on a blue plate.

Berbere Lentils | Ethiopian Lentil Stew

When it’s cold outside and all you want is a comforting bowl of food to warm your heart and soul, you know it's time to make Berbere Lentils. Bringing some African heat and plentiful flavour bursts, this simple one-pot lentil dish is just what you need for a quick and inexpensive meat-free dinner! Vegan and full of flavour, Berbere Lentils is one of the staples in Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisines!
5 from 4 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine East African, Eritrean, Ethiopian
Servings 2 portions
Calories 522 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 8 cardamom pods seeds only, ground in a pestle and mortar
  • 1½ teaspoon berbere spice mix
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 3 garlic cloves finely chopped or grated
  • 15 g fresh ginger finely chopped or grated
  • 400 g tinned chopped tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 200 g red lentils rinsed
  • 400 ml boiling water
  • 2 tomatoes finely chopped
  • 10 g fresh coriander roughly chopped

Instructions
 

  • Heat 2 tablespoon of odourless oil in a large pan on medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until starting to soften, stirring frequently.
  • Add the berbere, turmeric, cumin, ground cardamom seeds, garlic and ginger. Carry on cooking and stirring for another minute.
  • Add tinned tomatoes and tomato paste and season with salt. Bring to the boil, then reduce heat to low.
  • Add red lentils and pour in 400ml of boiling water. Cover with a lid and leave to simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for another 4-5 minutes to soften the tomatoes slightly.
  • When you are ready to serve, stir in the coriander. Divide the Berbere Lentils between two bowls and serve with flatbreads of your choice!

Nutrition

Calories: 522kcalCarbohydrates: 97gProtein: 33gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 466mgPotassium: 2215mgFiber: 41gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 1996IUVitamin C: 52mgCalcium: 219mgIron: 15mg
Keyword African Dahl, African Lentil Recipe, African Lentils, Berbere Lentil Recipe, Berbere Lentils, Berbere Spiced Lentil Recipe, Berbere Spiced Lentils, East African Lentil Recipe, East African Lentils, Eritrean Lentils, Ethiopian Lentil Recipe, Ethiopian Lentils, Lentils with Berbere, Vegan Lentil Recipe, Vegetarian Lentil Recipes
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