Ethiopian Beef Wat, Berbere-Braised

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Ethiopian Beef Wat, Berbere-Braised, plated and ready to serve

This beef wat follows the same patient technique that defines doro wat and asa wat elsewhere in this book — a long, slow onion base, niter kibbeh, and berbere, given even more time here to fully break down a tougher cut of beef into something meltingly tender.

What You’ll Need

Ingredients for Ethiopian Beef Wat, Berbere-Braised

Ethiopian Beef Wat, Berbere-Braised

The wat tradition applied to beef — chunks slow-braised in a deeply spiced berbere sauce until completely fork-tender.
Print Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: East African
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 410kcal

Ingredients

  • 2.5 lb beef chuck cut into large chunks
  • 1/4 cup niter kibbeh or ghee
  • 2 onions finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
  • 3 tbsp berbere spice blend
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  • In a dry, heavy pot over low heat, cook onions alone, stirring often, 15–20 minutes until deeply softened. Do not add fat yet.
  • Add niter kibbeh, garlic, and ginger. Cook 3 minutes until fragrant.
  • Stir in berbere, cook 2 minutes to bloom the spices.
  • Add tomato paste, cook 1 minute.
  • Add beef chunks, tossing to coat in the spiced base.
  • Pour in broth, bring to a simmer, cover, and cook 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes until the beef is completely fork-tender.
  • Season with salt and serve hot.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 410kcal | Protein: 36g | Fat: 26g | Fiber: 2g
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Cooking Ethiopian Beef Wat, Berbere-Braised in the kitchen

Health Benefits

  • Beef chuck provides dense, bioavailable iron and zinc along with complete protein.
  • Berbere’s chili and fenugreek base is rich in antioxidants and has been studied for metabolic benefits.
  • Niter kibbeh’s clarified butter base delivers fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Pairs Well With

  • Ethiopian Gomen (Collard Greens)
  • Ethiopian Timatim Salata (Tomato Salad)
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