Main Course · Dinner · African ·

Tangy Ethiopian Misir Wot

Name: Tangy Ethiopian Misir Wot
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 1 cup dried red lentils, rinsed; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1 large onion, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated; 2 tablespoons Berbere spice mix; 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric; Salt, to taste; Black pepper, to taste; 4 cups vegetable broth; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; Juice of 1 lemon

A rich, aromatic lentil stew made with the signature Ethiopian spice blend, Berbere, perfect for a hearty meal.

4.6(933 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·September 10, 2025

Tangy Ethiopian Misir Wot — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Easy

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Stew Base

Spices & Seasoning

Liquids & Acid

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 277 kcal
Protein: 14 g
Carbs: 38.5 g
Fat: 7.75 g
Fiber: 8.75 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1108 kcal
Protein: 56 g
Carbs: 154 g
Fat: 31 g
Fiber: 35 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
1 cup dried red lentils, rinsed	678	50	114	2	29
2 tablespoons vegetable oil	240	0	0	28	0
1 large onion, finely chopped	64	2	15	0	3
2 cloves garlic, minced	9	0	2	0	0
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated	5	0	1	0	0
2 tablespoons Berbere spice mix	40	2	6	1	2
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric	4	0	1	0	1
Salt, to taste	0	0	0	0	0
Black pepper, to taste	2	0	0	0	0
4 cups vegetable broth	40	2	8	0	0
1 tablespoon tomato paste	14	0	3	0	0
Juice of 1 lemon	12	0	4	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Lentils

1
Rinse Lentils
Rinse the red lentils thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear.
2
Combine with Lemon Juice
In a bowl, combine the lentils with lemon juice and let sit for 10 minutes.
3
Drain Lentils
Drain and set aside for cooking.
Tip: Important: Be careful when handling Berbere—it’s potent and can irritate your hands and eyes.; Pro Tip: Prepare all ingredients before beginning to ensure a smooth cooking process.

Preparing the Spice Mix

1
Combine Spices
In a small bowl, combine Berbere spice mix, turmeric, salt, and black pepper.
2
Mix Well
Mix well to incorporate all the spices.
3
Set Aside
Set aside for use during the cooking process.

How to Make Tangy Ethiopian Misir Wot

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Sauté the Aromatics
In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, and ginger, sautéing until the onion is translucent.
2
Add Spices
Stir in the spice mix, allowing the aromas to develop, approximately 1 minute.
3
Simmer the Lentils
Add the tomato paste and the marinated lentils, followed by the vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until lentils are tender, about 40 minutes.