Misir Wot - Ethiopian Red Lentil Stew

User Reviews

5

22 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    10 mins

  • Cook Time

    40 mins

  • Total Time

    50 mins

  • Servings

    6 servings

  • Calories

    183 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    African

Misir Wot - Ethiopian Red Lentil Stew

Misir Wot is a traditional Ethiopian stew made with red lentils simmered in a flavorful mixture of butter, onions, garlic, ginger, and berbere spice. This slow-cooked stew results in tender lentils infused with the warm, slightly spicy flavors of the berbere seasoning and enriched by the tomato paste. The chopped cilantro added at the end brightens the dish with fresh herbal notes, making it a hearty and comforting vegetarian meal.

Description

Misir Wot - Ethiopian Red Lentil Stew centers on red lentils cooked slowly in a blend of melted butter, finely chopped onions, minced garlic and ginger, tomato paste, and authentic berbere spice. The butter is first heated on medium to sauté onions until translucent without browning. Garlic, ginger, tomato paste, and berbere are then added and cooked briefly, allowing the spices to bloom and become aromatic. Rinsed red lentils are added with water and simmered on low, covered for about 30 minutes until soft and creamy. The dish is finished with chopped cilantro stirred in for a fresh finish.

This stew delivers a richly spiced, thick texture with depth from the berbere and tomato paste. It is simmered gently to develop layers of flavor without letting the lentils dry out. The resulting dish is hearty, nourishing, and works well as a main vegetarian entree or side served with injera or rice.

The recipe includes practical advice for storage and handling. Misir Wot keeps well refrigerated up to 3 days in an airtight container and freezes well for 4-6 months when cooled completely. Reheating is easiest in the microwave with stirring every 30-45 seconds until hot. It is recommended to consume fully reheated portions rather than reheating multiple times to maintain quality and safety.

I Made This!

2 people made this

Save this

9 people saved this

Ingredients

Servings
  • 3 Tbsp butter unsalted, optional: vegan butter
  • 1 onion yellow, chopped fine
  • 1 tsp ginger minced or micro-planed
  • 1 tsp garlic minced
  • 2 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 Tbsp berbere spice
  • 1 cup lentils red
  • 2 cups water
  • ¼ cup cilantro chopped

Instructions

  1. Chop the onion, garlic and ginger.
  2. Heat the butter on medium until melted and hot. Add the onion and sauté until translucent. Stir frequently and do not allow to brown.
  3. Add the garlic, ginger, tomato paste and berbere spice. Allow to cook 2-3 minutes until well combined and fragrant. Stir continuously.
  4. Pour in the water and mix well.
  5. Rinse the lentils in a strainer to be sure they are clean and free of any debris. Add the rinsed lentils and stir in.
  6. Turn the heat to low and cook covered for 30 minutes until tender. Check after 15 minutes and add water ¼ cup at a time if they are dry and sticking to the bottom of the pan.
  7. Serve with chopped cilantro.

Notes

  • Store leftover lentil stew in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 3 days.
  • Freeze completely cooled misir wot in airtight containers for 4 to 6 months; portion freezing in muffin tins is convenient.
  • Reheat in microwave stirring every 30-45 seconds until hot; avoid reheating more than once to maintain safety and quality.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 183kcal (9%) Carbohydrates 23g (8%) Protein 9g (18%) Fat 6g (9%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Cholesterol 15mg (5%) Sodium 252mg (11%) Potassium 386mg (8%) Fiber 11g (44%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 327IU (7%) Vitamin C 6mg (7%) Calcium 28mg (3%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 183 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 183kcal 9%
Carbohydrates 23g 8%
Protein 9g 18%
Fat 6g 9%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 15mg 5%
Sodium 252mg 11%
Potassium 386mg 8%
Fiber 11g 44%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin A 327IU 7%
Vitamin C 6mg 7%
Calcium 28mg 3%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Genuine Reviews

User Reviews

Overall Rating

5

22 reviews
Excellent

Write a Review

Drag & drop files here or click to upload
Other Recipes

You'll Also Love

Crispy Slow Cooker Corned Beef

Irish
5.0 (639 reviews)

Olive Garden Chicken Scampi Pasta

Italian
5.0 (108 reviews)

Filipino Adobo Chicken

Filipino
5.0 (84 reviews)

Cajun Roasted Turkey

American
5.0 (39 reviews)

Oven Baked Chicken and Rice

American
5.0 (27 reviews)

Chicken Burrito

Mexican
5.0 (24 reviews)

Spatchcock Turkey

American
5.0 (45 reviews)

Chicken and Spinach Pie

American
5.0 (15 reviews)

One Pot Apricot Chicken Recipe

American
5.0 (18 reviews)

Easy Braised Short Ribs

American
5.0 (18 reviews)

Kung Pao Shrimp

Chinese
5.0 (12 reviews)

Ground Beef Stroganoff

American
5.0 (9 reviews)