12 Ethiopian Holiday Dishes: Ethiopian Foods & Drinks to Serve on Special Occasions

Ethiopia is a country rich in cultural traditions and vibrant celebrations. During holidays and special occasions, Ethiopian cuisine truly shines with a variety of mouthwatering dishes that bring families and communities together. In this blog post, we will explore some of the delightful Ethiopian holiday dishes that are cherished and enjoyed during festive times.

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    Doro Wot (Ethiopian Chicken Stew) Recipe

    Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: Advanced

    Doro Wot, which is the flagship dish of Ethiopia, is a stew of chicken and hard-boiled eggs. The key to an authentic and delicious Doro Wot is a quality Berbere spice blend, and a slow cooking time required for the dish to properly develop.

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    Tibs (Ethiopian Stir Fried Beef) Recipe

    Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: Advanced

    Learn how to make an authentic Ethiopian dish by using our Tibs Recipe. Here you will find all the ingredients you will need to make Tibs, a popular traditional Ethiopian dish with all the necessary directions.

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    Kitfo Recipe

    Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: Easy

    Kitfo 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.

  • awaze ethiopian spicy dipping sauce

    Awaze Recipe – How to Make Ethiopian Spicy Dipping Sauce

    Cooks in 5 minutesDifficulty: Easy

    Awaze, 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.

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    Gomen Besiga (Ethiopian Collard Green Salad with Meat) Recipe

    Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: Easy

    Gomen 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.

  • alicha doro wot ethiopian yellow chicken stew

    Alicha Doro Wot (Ethiopian Yellow Chicken Stew) Recipe

    Cooks in 90 minutesDifficulty: Advanced

    Alicha Doro Wot is the gentler variation of the most popular Ethiopian dish, the Doro Wot, where the spicy berbere spice is swapped out for a mellow turmeric sauce that is infused with ginger and garlic. This authentically Ethiopian chicken stew is sure to tantalize your taste buds!

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    Defo Dabo Recipe

    Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: Intermediate

    Defo Dabo is one of the several types of bread made in Ethiopia. Typically, making Defo Dabo requires a special ingredient – the leaves of the Enset (false banana) plant or Koba Kitel in Amharic. However, if you can’t find false banana leaves near you, you can just use banana leaves instead.

  • ayib ethiopian cottage cheese

    Ayib (Ethiopian Cottage Cheese) Recipe

    Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: Advanced

    Ayib, or Ethiopian cottage cheese, is a staple of traditional Ethiopian cuisine. It is made from fresh cow’s milk and has been consumed for centuries. Ayib is relatively easy to prepare at home using simple ingredients. This recipe will explain how this tasty dish is made.

  • spiced bunna ethiopian coffee recipe

    Spiced Bunna (Ethiopian Coffee) Recipe

    Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: Intermediate

    Coffee is referred to as “Bunna” in Amharic, and if you enjoy drinking it, you are probably already aware that Ethiopia is where coffee first originated. Ethiopian coffee, Bunna is renowned for its flavor, satisfaction, and aroma around the world.

  • tej traditional ethiopian honey wine

    Tej (Traditional Ethiopian Honey Wine) Recipe

    Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: Advanced

    Tej (Ethiopian honey wine) is a unique and intriguing drink with a long history and cultural significance. It is traditionally made from honey, water, and the leaf and stems of Gesho (a type of plant similar to hops). It has a distinct flavor that can be sweet or dry depending on how it is made, and it can range in strength from light to strong. Here is a step-by-step recipe that will help you prepare Tej at your home. Enjoy!

  • tella recipe

    Tella Recipe

    Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: Advanced

    In Ethiopia, tella, a traditional alcoholic beverage, is very popular. It can also include spices. It is made from a variety of grains, including barley, corn, wheat, millet, or teff. For fermentation, shiny-leaf buckthorn leaves that have been dried and powdered are utilized.

  • birz recipe

    Birz Recipe

    Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: Intermediate

    Birz is a traditional Ethiopian beverage made from water and fermented honey, that was once used as a regular substitute for water. It is quite tasty, refreshing and has many health advantages.

These are just a few examples of the delightful Ethiopian holiday dishes that bring joy and flavor to festive occasions. Ethiopian cuisine embraces a wide range of flavors, spices, and cooking techniques, reflecting the country’s diverse cultural heritage.

Whether you’re celebrating a holiday with friends and family or simply want to explore the vibrant flavors of Ethiopia, these dishes are a perfect introduction to the rich culinary traditions of the country.

So, gather around the table, savor the delicious flavors, and immerse yourself in the festive spirit of Ethiopian cuisine.

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Sara Seife
Sara Seife

Sara is a blogger, nutritionist, and recipe engineer who loves to create and share Ethiopian food recipes and guides. She is the Chief Editor of The Ethiopian Food, an online platform that aims to help people all over the world learn about and enjoy Ethiopian cuisine. Sara is passionate about sharing her love of Ethiopian food and culture with others, and she hopes that her recipes and guides will help people to create delicious and authentic Ethiopian meals at home.

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