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28 Easy Ethiopian Foods & Drinks to Try
Ethiopian cuisine is known for its bold flavors, exotic spices, and vibrant dishes that captivate food lovers around the world. If you’re eager to explore the delightful world of Ethiopian food but are short on time or new to the cuisine, there are plenty of easy and accessible options to enjoy.
From simple snacks to refreshing beverages, easy Ethiopian foods and drinks allow you to savor the essence of Ethiopian cuisine with minimal effort. In this blog post, we will introduce you to some of the effortless Ethiopian foods and drinks that you can easily incorporate into your culinary repertoire.
Azifa (Ethiopia Lentil Salad) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyAzifa is a delicious cold lentil dish that goes along very well with any Ethiopian meal. Learn how to make this dish by using this simple recipe. Here you find all the ingredients you need to make this traditional Ethiopian dish.
Enkulal Tibs Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyLearn how to make Enkulal Tibs by using this simple recipe from Ethiopian Food Guide. Here you will learn about all the ingredients you will need to make this traditional Ethiopian dish with all the necessary directions.
Chechebsa (Kita Firfir) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyChechebssa, also known as Kita Firfir, is essentially a shredded Kita, which is a flatbread popular in Ethiopia, fried with spices and Niter Kibbeh. It is one of the most popular breakfast dishes in Ethiopia.
Berbere Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyBerbere is an essential part of Ethiopian cuisine. Many popular dishes such as Doro Wot, require this spice. However, if you have found it difficult to find berbere in your local grocery or supermarket, you can make your own right in your own kitchen.
Kinche Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyKinche is a common but distinctively Ethiopian breakfast dish. Somewhat resembling oatmeal, it is very easy and convenient to prepare, and it is also considered healthy. It can be made using various cracked cereals such as Sinde (wheat), Bekolo (corn), or Ajja (oats); all of which can easily be found in a nearby grocery store. Here is a simple recipe that you can follow to make Kinche at home.
Kitfo Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyKitfo is a beloved beef dish in Ethiopia. Learn how to make Kitfo by using this simple recipe. Here you will learn about all the ingredients you will need to make every simple version of this traditional Ethiopian dish with all the necessary directions.
Gomen (Ethiopian Collard Green Salad) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyGomen is one of the most popular vegetable dishes in the Ethiopian cousin. The Ethiopian table doesn’t get greener than this staple dish, which you can make by using collard greens. Learn how to make an authentic Ethiopian dish by using our Gomen Recipe.
Kik Wot Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyLearn how to make Kik Wot by using this simple recipe from Ethiopian Food Guide. Here you will learn about all the ingredients you will need to make this traditional Ethiopian dish with all the necessary directions.
Timatim Salad (Tomato Salad) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyThere are two versions of this Timatim (tomato) Salad recipe. One with pieces of Injera, and the other, without. Berbere and jalapeño peppers are the key ingredients, so the salad will have a little bit of a kick to it.
Yesuf Fitfit Recipe
Cooks in 50 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateLearn how to make Yesuf (Sunflower seed) Fitfit by using this simple recipe from Ethiopian Food Guide. Here you will learn about all the ingredients you will need to make this traditional Ethiopian dish with all the necessary directions.
Kolo Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyEthiopians accross the country often enjoy kolo as a snack – after meals, along with coffee or some bear. Use this recipe to make yourself some Kolo to munch on as a snack at any time of the day.
Fasolia Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyIf you are looking for a vegetarian Ethiopian dish, it doesn’t get better than Fasolia; a delicious dish made from green beans. While there are several ways to make this dish, this is a great recipe to follow if you are a beginner.
Gomen Besiga (Ethiopian Collard Green Salad with Meat) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyGomen Besiga is a great dish for meat lovers that find it difficult to add greens to their diet. Learn how to make Gomen Besiga by using this simple recipe, where you will find all the ingredients you will need to make this traditional Ethiopian dish with all the necessary directions.
Gored Gored Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyLearn how to make Gored Gored by using this simple recipe from Ethiopian Food Guide. Here you will learn about all the ingredients you will need to make this traditional Ethiopian dish with all the necessary directions.
Kategna Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyIf you have some extra injera on hand, use it to make this tasty treat. Learn how to make Kategna by using this simple recipe which is very beginner-friendly.
Dirkosh Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyDirkosh is basically injera chips made from dried Injera. This can be a great snack to enjoy, especially if consumed with Kochkocha (Yekarya Delleh) – a blazing hot, easy-to-make dipping sauce.
Besso BeTelba (Ethiopian Barley and Flaxseed) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyBesso BeTelba is an incredibly nutritious and filling beverage that you can drink for breakfast or snack. It is also really easy to make, and takes very little time to prepare. Here is a simple recipe that you can follow to make Besso BeTelba at home.
Fruits, Vegetables, and Telba (Flaxseeds) Smoothie Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyThis Fruits, Vegetables, and Telba (Flaxseeds) Smoothie is packed full of healthy nutrients tahnks to all the fruits and vegetables that are included, such as flaxseeds, mango, apple, banana, kale, spinach, carrots, celery, and honey. The conoction of this recipe is carefuly curated to get the most benefit out of each ingredient, while also taking careful consideration to the balance of taste that comes as a result of mixing these particular ingredients. Here is a simple recipe that you can follow to make Fruits, Vegetables, and Telba (Flaxseeds) Smoothie at home. Enjoy!
YeTelba Smoothie (Flaxseeds Fruit Juice) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyYeTelba Smoothie is a very nutritious and tasty Ethiopian beverage that you can enjoy as a breakfast or snack. It is incredibly nutritious and quite healthy. Here is a simple recipe that you can follow to make YeTelba Smoothie at home.
Telba Dipping Sauce Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyOne of the recipes for Ethiopian flaxseeds is this dipping sauce. It can be served as a breakfast item or a snack along with Injera or bread. Here is a simple recipe that you can follow to make Flaxseeds Dipping Sauce at home.
YeBesso Duket Smoothie (Barley and Fruit Juice) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyBarley is a popular cereal crop in Ethiopia. It is consumed as a snack slightly roasted to make Kolo, or roasted and ground to make YeBesso Duket, which can be mixed with water and honey to make a tasty, filling, and nutritious breakfast or snack. And it will even taste better when some fruits are added to the mix! Here is a simple recipe that you can follow to make YeBesso Duket Smoothie at home.
YeSuf Weha (Ethiopian Sunflower Seeds Juice) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyYeSuf Weha is a tasty Ethiopian drink that also comes with a lot of health benefits thanks to the sunflower seeds that are the core ingredient of the drink. Sunflowers are a great source of heart-healthy fats, as well as a number of vitamins and minerals that may help lessen your chance of developing common health issues such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. It is also vegan/vegetarian friendly.
YeNug Weha (Ethiopian Niger Seeds Juice) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyYeNug Weha is another one Ethiopia’s refreshing and healthy beverages. While it’s not quite a popular drink, it certainly does bring a lot to the table. The core ingredient of YeNug Weha is Nug (Niger Seeds), which originated in Ethiopia and is believed to have been domesticated before 3000 BC in the highlands of Ethiopia, where it is still cultivated as an oilseed crop. YeNug Weha has a slight nutty taste that comes from the Niger seeds, and is great source of amino acids. Here is a simple recipe that you can follow to make YeNug Weha at home.
Mitmita Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyMitmita is a traditional powdered, red-orange spice blend that’s widely used in Ethiopia. It is the second most popular spice blend after Berbere. It is generally made from hot peppers that are stronger than those used in Berbere.
Traditionally, the main ingredients for making Mitmita are dried chili peppers, Korarima seeds (Ethiopian cardamom), but can also include other spices such as cloves, cumin, green cardamom, black pepper, dried garlic, cinnamon and salt. There is no one single recipe for this mixture of spices, instead there are in fact, many versions.YeAja Atmit (Ethiopian Cream of Oatmeal) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyAtmit is an excellent, nutritious beverage that resembles a thin, filling porridge. Atmit, which has its origins in Ethiopia, is a widely consumed comfort beverage there that both kids and adults love. Several cereals and ingredients can be used to make it. As a result, Atmit recipes might differ greatly.
Senafich (Spicy Mustard Seed Sauce) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasySenafich is Amharc which directly translates to Mustard. However, the word Senafich is most commonly to refer to the spicy sauce made from Ethiopian mustard seeds. Senafich sauce has a more watery consistency than the typical western style mustard sauce, which makes it great to use as a dipping sauce.
Afrenje (Ethiopian Chili Pepper Spice Blend) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyAfrenje is a great substitute for some of Ethiopia’s well known spicy spice blends such as Berbere and Mitmita, especially for people with more delicate palates. With Afrenje, anyone can savor traditional Ethiopian flavors without having to tolerate too much heat. Afrenje tastes fantastic with recipes that have grilled or raw meat.
Awaze Recipe – How to Make Ethiopian Spicy Dipping Sauce
Cooks in 5 minutesDifficulty: EasyAwaze, also known as Dilih in some parts of Ethiopia, is one of the most popular Ethiopian traditional Ethiopian sauces. Here is an easy-to-follow Awaze Recipe you can try to make at home.
Ethiopian cuisine has a delightful range of easy foods and drinks that can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of their cooking skills or familiarity with the cuisine. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack or a refreshing beverage, these effortless Ethiopian options allow you to experience the unique flavors and aromas of Ethiopian cuisine without extensive preparation or complex recipes.
So, whether you’re hosting a gathering, seeking a new culinary adventure, or simply craving something different, try incorporating these easy Ethiopian foods and drinks into your repertoire. Let the enticing flavors transport you to the vibrant streets of Ethiopia, where each bite and sip is a delightful journey into the rich culinary heritage of the country.
