Sega Wat (Spicy Ethiopian Beef Stew)

Name: Sega Wat (Spicy Ethiopian Beef Stew)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 105 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 2 pounds boneless beef chuck, cut into 1/2 inch cubes; 6 tablespoons niter kibbeh (, divided); OR Homemade Niter Kibbeh; 3 cups chunky pureed onions (pulse in food processor to form a chunky paste); 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic; 1 1/2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger; 1/4 cup berbere spice blend; Homemade Berbere Recipe (,HIGHLY recommended!); 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; 1 cup strong beef broth; 4 hard-boiled eggs, shelled and pierced all over with a fork 1/4 inch deep

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If you like African food you’ve most likely tried Doro Wat, the spicy chicken stew that Ethiopia embraces as its national dish. Another famous and equally delicious dish is Sega Wat, the beef version of this spicy stew. On restaurant menus you may find a couple of options – Key Sega Wat (spicy) and Alicha Sega Wat (mild). We’re making an authentic Sega Wat today and this one is middle of the road in its spiciness so you can add more heat if you prefer.

Sega Wat is traditionally eaten with injera, Ethiopia’s famous fermented flatbread. This spongy pancake-like flatbread is used in place of utensils to scoop the sega wat into your mouth and mop up any remaining bits of sauce.

As with Doro Wat, the key to an excellent Sega Wat is using the best berbere you can find. Berbere is a fiery, bright red spice blend that Ethiopians pump up to such scorching levels love it’s a wonder they have any taste buds remaining. Most berbere you find outside of Africa is toned down in heat level and that suits me just fine.

The key to an excellent berbere is making it yourself with whole spices that are toasted and ground, which will give your Sega Wat maximum flavor. I highly recommend making your own: Homemade Ethiopian Berbere Recipe.

But if you do use store-bought berbere be sure to get a good amount of it because you’ll need 1/4-1/3 cup of it for this recipe alone. Keep it stored in an airtight glass jar in a dark place and it will keep for a while. Berbere also makes a great rub for meat, poultry, and fish, as well as a seasoning for stews, soups, and vegetables. It’s a great all-purpose spice, so you’ll be able to make good use of this bulk package if you decide to buy versus make your own. The best deal I’ve found for bulk berbere (and it also happens to be organic and a reputable brand) can be found HERE.

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If you’ve never tried Sega Wat, your taste buds are in for a treat. The flavor of this Ethiopian stew is absolutely incredible. And as much as I love Doro Wat, I like Sega Wat even more – the beef adds a wonderfully deep and robust flavor and is sure to win you over!

Now that you’re equipped with Ethiopian berbere and Ethiopian injera, you’re ready to make one of Ethiopia’s most famous popular dishes, Sega Wat!

Let’s get started!

Heat 3 tablespoons of niter kibbeh or butter in a heavy pot or Dutch oven. Add the onions and cook, covered, over low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the garlic, ginger, and 1 tablespoon niter kibbeh and continue to cook for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the berbere and the 2 remaining tablespoons of niter kibbeh and cook, covered, over low heat for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the beef, broth, salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Adjust the seasonings, adding more berbere according to taste and heat preference. Add the hard-boiled eggs and simmer on low heat, covered, for another 10 to heat through.

Half or quarter the eggs and arrange on the plates with the stew. Serve hot with Ethiopian injera, bread or rice.

*This stew is even better the next day after the flavors have had more time to meld.

Enjoy!

Be sure to also give Doro Wat a try!

And grab the recipe for authentic homemade Ethiopian injera!

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5 from 10 votes