This authentic Ethiopian side dish takes eating healthy greens to a whole new level of deliciousness!
If you’re looking for an authentic Ethiopian veggie side dish to serve with your Ethiopian entree, Gomen (aka Ye’abesha Gomen) is among the most popular and delicious.
Or if you’re simply looking for a wonderfully flavorful way to enjoy those healthy greens, look no further.
Gomen is traditionally made with collard greens but kale works equally well. You can also use spinach but I prefer the crispiness of the collards or kale.
This traditional Ethiopian side dish can be found in most Ethiopian restaurants and pairs wonderfully with any number of Ethiopian meat and vegetarian dishes including doro wat, sega wat and misir wat, to name a few.
Above picture: The gomen is in the top left corner of the platter to the left of the lettuce. A variety of Ethiopian dishes are commonly served for a meal and instead of serving them on a plate are served on injera, Ethiopian flatbread. Additional injera is served on the side and pieces are torn off and used as utensils to scoop up the food.
To make Ethiopian Gomen you need an ingredient called niter kibbeh, which is an Ethiopian spiced clarified butter. It is made using the same method as Indian ghee in which the butter is heated and the butterfat is separated from the milk solids. Niter kibbeh is infused with a variety of fragrant herbs and spices resulting in a clarified butter that is highly aromatic and flavorful. Niter kibbeh is an essential ingredient in Ethiopian cuisine, including Gomen, and there are no adequate substitutes.
Niter kibbeh is extremely easy to make and keeps for several months in the fridge. While you can buy niter kibbeh online, nothing compares to the flavor and fragrance of homemade. Check out our recipe for Authentic Niter Kibbeh (Ethiopian Spiced Clarified Butter).
Be sure to try these other authentic Ethiopian dishes!
Doro Wat (Spicy Ethiopian Chicken Stew)
Sega Wat (Spicy Ethiopian Beef Stew)
Misir Wat (Ethiopian Spiced Red Lentils)
Okay, let’s make that Gomen!
Let’s get started!
Heat the niter kibbeh in a pan over medium high heat. Add the onions and cook until soft and translucent, 5-7 minutes.
Add the garlic, ginger and spices and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Add the collard greens and another tablespoon of niter kibbeh and cook until the collards turn bright green and are wilted but still slightly crispy, 5-7 minutes. Add more spices and/or niter kibbeh to taste.
Enjoy!
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Gomen (Ethiopian Collard Greens)
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons niter kibbeh (plus an extra tablespoon for later)
- Homemade Niter Kibbeh , HIGHLY recommended (click link for recipe)
- 1 large yellow onion , halved and thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons finely minced fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 bunch collard greens (about 12 ounces) , washed, thick stems removed, roughly chopped (can also use kale)
Instructions
- Heat niter kibbeh in a pan over medium high heat. Add the onion and cook until soft and translucent, 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger and spices and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the collard greens and another tablespoon of niter kibbeh and cook until the collards turn bright green and are wilted but still a slightly crispy, 5-7 minutes. Add more spices and/or niter kibbeh to taste.
Loulorback says
Thankyou, your recipes are easy to follow and a delight to prepare. Today I’m cooking up another feast to share with friends. I think this will be my New Year tradition. Happy New Year! good bye 2021 I’m off to pick some green!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thank you so much, Loulorback, I appreciate the compliment. Happy New Year!
Biddy says
I was wanting to use this for a vegan recipe but obviously can’t use butter do you think I could substitute oil!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Biddy, yes you can.
Fawn Bohlken says
OMG I am now in love with Ethiopian cooking! Have made your misir wat and sega wat (so good) along w/ the berbere and niter kibbeh. Thanks so much for sharing these glorious recipes. Next time I’ll make doro wat.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That’s wonderful, Fawn, I’m so happy you’ve made all of these recipes and really appreciate the feedback!
Alicia says
Delicious!! Ingredients and instructions were authentic, on point, and mostly importantly – easy! This came together very quickly at the end of my Ethiopian cooking marathon and I loved the flavors. The slight crispness of the gomen adds good texture when you are eating a plate full of highly cooked mashes of lentils etc. Made w your Misir Wot recipe – they were all hits.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m so happy you enjoyed both of the recipes, Alicia, thanks so much!
Lord Batwing Candlewaxxe says
I’ve made this with dandelion (actually chicory) greens. Very nice in the spring, when you’re recovering from a the winter doldrums.