Main Course · African · Dinner ·

Ethiopian Shiro Wat with Spiced Chickpea Sauce and Injera

Name: Ethiopian Shiro Wat with Spiced Chickpea Sauce and Injera
Prep time: 80 min
Cook time: 240 min
Total time: 320 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Shiro powder, 2 cups (ground chickpea flour mixed with spices); Onion, 1 medium, finely chopped; Garlic, 3 cloves, minced; Berbere spice, 1 tablespoon; Tomato paste, 1 tablespoon; Water or vegetable broth, 4 cups; Salt, To taste; Vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons; Teff flour, 2 cups; All-purpose flour, 2 cups; Water, 3 cups; Salt, 1 teaspoon; Yeast, 1 packet; Cooked chickpeas, 1 cup; Tahini, 1 tablespoon; Lemon juice, 1 tablespoon; Cumin powder, 1 teaspoon; Salt and pepper, To taste

Experience Ethiopian cuisine with a savory chickpea stew served with traditional flatbread.

4.5(836 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·August 2, 2025

Ethiopian Shiro Wat with Spiced Chickpea Sauce and Injera — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

1 h 20 min

Cook

4 h

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Shiro Wat

For the Injera

For the Spiced Chickpea Sauce

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 555 kcal
Protein: 20.17 g
Carbs: 98.67 g
Fat: 10.83 g
Fiber: 10.17 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 3330 kcal
Protein: 121 g
Carbs: 592 g
Fat: 65 g
Fiber: 61 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Shiro powder 2 cups (ground chickpea flour mixed with spices)	880	44	130	18	24
Onion 1 medium, finely chopped	44	1	10	0	2
Garlic 3 cloves, minced	13	1	3	0	0
Berbere spice 1 tablespoon	16	1	3	1	1
Tomato paste 1 tablespoon	13	1	3	0	1
Water or vegetable broth 4 cups	0	0	0	0	0
Salt To taste	0	0	0	0	0
Vegetable oil 2 tablespoons	240	0	0	28	0
Teff flour 2 cups	888	32	178	6	16
All-purpose flour 2 cups	912	25	192	2	6
Water 3 cups	0	0	0	0	0
Salt 1 teaspoon	0	0	0	0	0
Yeast 1 packet	21	3	3	0	0
Cooked chickpeas 1 cup	200	10	35	2	10
Tahini 1 tablespoon	89	3	3	8	1
Lemon juice 1 tablespoon	4	0	1	0	0
Cumin powder 1 teaspoon	8	0	1	0	0
Salt and pepper To taste	0	0	0	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Injera

1
Combine Flours and Water
Mix teff flour and all-purpose flour with water to make a smooth batter.
2
Add Yeast and Salt
Add yeast and salt; let the batter ferment for 2-3 hours.
3
Ferment Batter
When bubbles form, it’s ready to cook.

Preparing the Shiro Wat

1
Sauté Aromatics
Heat oil in a pot and sauté onions and garlic until translucent.
2
Add Spices
Stir in berbere spice and tomato paste.
3
Incorporate Shiro and Broth
Gradually add shiro powder and broth, stirring continuously.
Tip: Continuously stir to prevent sticking and adjust thickness by adding more or less broth as desired.

How to Make Ethiopian Shiro Wat with Spiced Chickpea Sauce and Injera

Total time: 5 h 20 min · Yields 6 servings

1
Cook Injera
Ladle batter onto a hot non-stick skillet and cook until bubbles form and edges lift, then remove.
2
Simmer Shiro Wat
Let the stew simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes.
3
Prepare Spiced Chickpea Sauce
Blend all sauce ingredients until smooth.