These vegan Ethiopian recipes will add bold and delicious flavors to your plant-based diet!
Ethiopian food is a foodie favorite, after all. It’s well known for its tasty spice blends and hearty stews.
And the good news is there are plenty of vegan recipes to try!
Best Vegan Ethiopian Recipes
These vegan Ethiopian recipes are a great way to incorporate more plant-based meals into your diet.
And you don’t even have to be vegan to like them.
So, get ready to impress your friends with your newfound culinary skills! (And maybe even convert some meat lovers.)
1. Ethiopian Red Lentil and Vegetable Stew
This hearty and flavorful stew is a must-try for any food lover.
Earthy lentils and aromatic spices create a rich and comforting taste.
Vegetables like bell peppers and onions add sweetness and texture to the dish. Every bite is balanced.
This stew is traditionally served with Injera (Ethiopian sourdough flatbread). But it can also be enjoyed with rice or quinoa.
2. Ethiopian Mushroom Stir-Fry (Ingudai Tibs)
The dish comprises tender mushrooms cooked in fragrant spices and aromatics. It features tasty things like garlic, cardamom, coriander, and berbere.
The flavors work together, creating a savory, tangy dish bursting with flavor.
Ingudai Tibs is often served alongside Injera. But it also pairs well with rice or couscous.
You can use tofu if you don’t have mushrooms or prefer to substitute.
3. Ethiopian Yellow Split Pea Stew (Kik Alicha)
Behold the magic of this pea stew and its satisfying symphony of flavors. I guarantee it will make your taste buds dance!
Every spoonful will whisk you into a world of aromatic, earthy, and zesty spices. Who knew peas could be so tasty?
Serve it over fluffy rice or with Ethiopian flatbread.
And fear not, legume lovers, you can swap the split peas for lentils or chickpeas. And you will still create a lip-smacking masterpiece. Get ready for a flavor fiesta!
4. Ethiopian Collard Greens (Gomen)
Prepare to be dazzled by the leafy delight known as Gomen!
This recipe transforms the humble greens into a flavor-packed party in your mouth.
Gomen is not unlike the Southern collard greens you may be familiar with. Both are loaded with delicious seasonings… and plenty of garlic.
Honestly, the only real difference is the lack of bacon. But I don’t think you will miss it! Gomen is delicious.
5. Ethiopian Vegan Lentil Pie (Sambusa)
Are you a fan of samosas or empanadas? Then you will love Sambusa! It’s kind of like the African version of your favorite hand pie.
This delicacy is filled with spiced lentils, vegetables, and seasonings. And all of it is wrapped in a not-actually-buttery pastry shell.
The main difference with Sambusa is in the size… at least in this recipe. This Sambusa is sized more like a traditional pie than a hand pie.
But other recipes look very much like samosas or empanadas.
Its fragrant spices give this dish a distinct taste that is mild and aromatic.
These tasty triangles are delicious hot or cold. They make for a perfect snack on the go or as a hearty meal.
It provides a fabulous opportunity to experiment with different flavors and ingredients.
6. Ethiopian Chickpea Stew (Shiro Wat)
Get ready for a chickpea sensation with Ethiopian chickpea stew!
This stew is a zesty tango of flavors, where chickpeas shimmy with tomatoes and spices.
The result?
A velvety, tangy, and spicy concoction that will have your taste buds doing the salsa.
Serve it over fluffy Injera, and let the flavors ignite your mouth.
7. Ethiopian Flat Bread (Injera)
Get ready to embark on a flavorful adventure with the legendary Injera! If that name sounds familiar… it’s because I’ve mentioned it a time or two.
It is the ideal accompaniment for soups and stews.
Injera is like a spongy, tangy, and sour dance partner for your taste buds. Its porous texture soaks up the flavors of stews and curries with gusto.
Tear off a piece and use it like a spoon you can eat!
Looking for a substitute? Use a sourdough crepe for a taste of Ethiopian-inspired delight.
8. Ethiopian Spicy Pumpkin Stew (Duba Wat)
This Ethiopian stew is like the ultimate pumpkin spice dish. But it’s a little different from what you’re used to.
This mouth-watering recipe is known for its rich blend of spices like cardamom and berbere. So, it is aromatic, but it is also SPICY. And inherently savory.
The stew is served with Injera. But it can be paired with rice or bread.
If pumpkin isn’t available, butternut squash or sweet potato can be used as delicious substitutes.
9. Ethiopian Cabbage & Potatoes (Tikil Gomen)
Tikil Gomen is a staple Ethiopian dish. It features a simple yet satisfying blend of cabbage, potatoes, onions, and seasonings.
The dish is simmered to perfection in a rich broth of water and spices. It’s loaded with turmeric, ginger, and pepper for a subtle yet complex flavor profile.
The gentle heat of the spices perfectly complements the slightly sweet cabbage and hearty potatoes. This creates a harmonious balance of texture and flavor.
10. Ethiopian Lentil Salad (Azefa)
Prepare your taste buds for the zesty sensation known as Azefa!
This salad is a flavor extravaganza! It stars tender lentils and bell peppers. But wait, there’s more!
They’re accompanied by mustard seed, black peppercorns, cayenne, lemon juice, olive oil, and cilantro.
The result? A refreshing, zingy, and fiery dish that proves salads are NOT boring. #deliciousandnutritious
Serve it as a side dish or a light meal.
10 Best Vegan Ethiopian Recipes (+ Authentic Meal Ideas)
These vegan Ethiopian recipes are easy, authentic, and so delicious! From chickpea stew to lentil pie, bring a plant-based taste of Africa home to you.
Ingredients
Ethiopian Red Lentil and Vegetable Stew
Ethiopian Yellow Split Pea Stew (Kik Alicha)
Ethiopian Collard Greens (Gomen)
Ethiopian Vegan Lentil Pie (Sambusa)
Ethiopian Chickpea Stew (Shiro Wat)
Ethiopian Flat Bread (Injera)
Ethiopian Spicy Pumpkin Stew (Duba Wat)
Ethiopian Cabbage & Potatoes (Tikil Gomen)
Ethiopian Lentil Salad (Azefa)
Instructions
- Select your favorite recipe.
- Organize all the required ingredients.
- Prep a delicious vegan Ethiopian recipe in 30 minutes or less!
