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Tikil Gomen (also spelled tikel or tekel gomen) is a unique vegetable dish found in the cuisine of Ethiopia. This traditional dish, which is also known as “Ethiopian Cabbage Salad”, is packed with flavor and nutrition. It is a combination of potatoes, carrots, and cabbage that is cooked with spices to develop a complex and delicious taste.

Tikil Gomen directly translates to “cabbage” in Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia. One common mistake most people that are new to Ethiopian cuisine make is confusing Tikil Gomen with Gomen, which is a different Ethiopian salad dish made from collard greens.

Even though Tikil Gomen is rather unassuming at first glance, it is one of the most popular vegetarian dishes among people that try Ethiopian food for the first time.

4 Reasons Why You’ll Love Tikil Gomen

If you have never tried Tikil Gomen before, you must give it a try and you will never look back again! Here are 4 reasons why you will absolutely love Tikil Gomen:

It’s delicious. Unlike most veggie dishes, Tikil Gomon actually tastes really good.
It’s healthy. The main ingredients in Tikil Gomon (cabbage, potatoes, and carrots), all rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Cabbage, in particular, is a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate.
It’s friendly to most diets. Tikil Gomen is vegan, nut-free, gluten-free, and soy-free. And, if you happen to be following a low-carb or keto diet, you can simply leave out or replace the potatoes and carrots.
It’s quick and easy to make. Preparing Tikil Gomen takes very little time, especially if you have all the ingredients handy.
It’s a great side dish. Tikil Gomen is usually served as a side dish accompanying other Ethiopian stew dishes such as Misir Kik Wot and Shiro, served on top of a spread of Injera, the spongy Ethiopian flatbread that is made from teff flour. It is also a staple in the popular Ethiopian mixed-platter dish known as Beyainatu.

What You’ll Need to Make Tikil Gomen

Get Your Ethiopian Food Ingredients Here.

As mentioned earlier, Tikil Gomen is very easy to make and all the ingredients required to make it are very accessible.

Cabbage
Potatoes
Carrots
Onion
Garlic
Turmeric powder
Black pepper powder
Vegetable oil
Salt
Water

Tikil Gomen Variations

Green cabbage is most commonly used in this dish, but you can use purple cabbage, it won’t affect the flavor.
To make the dish healthier, use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes.
You can add Niter Kibbeh (Ethiopian Spiced Clarified Butter). The garlic, ginger, fenugreek seeds, turmeric, black cardamom pods, allspice berries, and oregano in the Niter Kibbeh add a unique and lovely flavor to the dish.
If you want to add some kick to the dish, feel free to add some jalapeño peppers, or any other green chili pepper of your choice.
If you wish to include some vegetarian friendly, plant-based protein, consider adding chickpeas.

If you prefer, you can even add vegetables such as: Cauliflower, Green beans, Zucchini, Pumpkin, etc. and create something unique to you. If you do, please share your experience down in the comments. We would love to see what you did!

How to Make Tikil Gomen (Step-by-Step Tutorial)

Start by adding vegetable oil to a mid-sized pot and start cooking.
Next, add the onions and cook them for some 5 min. until they get translucent.
Then, add in the carrots, potatoes, turmeric, black pepper, garlic, and, salt, and gently stir the mix for 5 – 10 more minutes.
Finally, add the cabbages and gently mix them well with the others. Then, cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking for some 20 minutes until the cabbages get tender.

Equipment Recommendations to Make Tikil Gomen

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Storage Guide

Refrigeration

If you have any leftovers, you can keep them in the refrigerator. It will keep well for around 3-4 days if placed in an airtight container.

Freeze

Tikil Gomen can be kept frozen for up to three months, provided it is kept in a clean, air-tight, freezer-safe container.

Reheating

You can defrost and reheat your Tikil Gomen using a skillet or a microwave.

Other Ethiopian Vegetarian Salad Dishes You Must Try

Tikil Gomen Recipe