Vegan Ethiopian Stew (Atakilt Wat)

Atakilt Wat, is an Ethiopian vegan stew that is packed with flavour. Cabbage, carrots and potatoes are cooked until tender with a fragrant berbere spice mix.

Vegan Ethiopian Stew (Atakilt Wat)

Out of all the African cuisines, Ethiopian is the one hear people rave about the most. The first time I tried Ethiopian cuisine for myself, I quickly understood why. The food was rich with colour, flavour and texture, and was unlike anything I had tried before.

Meals in Ethiopia are centred around injera, a sourdough flabread that is the staple dish of the country’s cuisine. It is served on a platter with a variety of stews, curries, and vegetables arranged on top. Atakilt Wat is one of the delicious vegan stews that is commonly served ontop of injera.

Vegan Ethiopian Stew (Atakilt Wat)

Is Ethiopian cuisine vegan-friendly?

Ethiopian cuisine happens to be one of the most naturally vegan-friendly cuisines in the world. This is due to the fact that almost half of the Ethiopian population follows the Orient Orthodox tradition, where a plant-based diet is adhered to during “fasting days”.

Popular Ethiopian Vegan Dishes

  • Injera- A sour pancake-like flatbread that is made with teff flour
  • Bayenetu– A colourful smorgasbord of vegetarian dishes that are arranged on top of injera
  • Wat– Spicy stew that is either made with meat, vegetables or pulses such as chickpeas and lentils, flavoured with berbere
  • Ye’abasha Gomen- Braised collard greens that are seasoned with aromatics
  • Shiro– A legume stew made of ground split peas and chickpeas

How to make Atakilt Wat (VEGAN ETHIOPIAN STEW)

This dish requires just one pan and is super simple to make. It will take about 40 minutes all up to prepare, with most of that being cooking time.

1. Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a frying pan (with a lid) over medium heat. Add garlic, ginger, chilli and onion and cook for a few minutes, until fragrant. Next, add berbere spice mix, coating everything in the pan, and cook for a few more minutes.

2. Add carrots, potato, cabbage and salt. Mix well, then cover pan and cook for 15 minutes, stirring every now and again. Add another teaspoon of oil to the pan, mix everything around then cover and cook for another 15 minutes (or until all vegetables are tender). Serve hot.

Ingredients for Atakilt Wat

Vegan Ethiopian Stew (Atakilt Wat)
  • Berbere spice mix- Berbere is a hot Ethiopian spice mix made up of red chillies and a range of different spices. You can buy premade berbere spice mix from speciality stores or make it yourself using this recipe.
  • Potato/ sweet potato- You can use either normal potato, sweet potato or a mix of both for this recipe. Just be aware cooking times might slightly vary depending on which you use.
  • Cabbage-  Green or white cabbage works best for this recipe.

Serving suggestions for Atakilt Wat

We’d highly recommend serving this vegan Ethiopian stew on top of injera, alongside a selection of different Ethiopian dishes like gomen, shiro and misir wot.

Atakilt Wat | Vegan Ethiopian Recipes

Vegan Ethiopian Stew (Atakilt Wat)

Yield: 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

This super easy vegan stew, Atakilt Wat, is an Ethiopian staple that is packed with flavour. Cabbage, carrot and potato coated with a fragrant berbere spice mix and cooked with aromatics until tender. The stew is best served hot with injera flat bread and a selection of other dishes.

Ingredients

  • 2 tsp olive oil, divided
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cm ginger, minced
  • 1 green chili, chopped
  • 1/2 white onion, diced
  • 2 tbsp berbere spice mix
  • 3 medium carrots, sliced
  • 2 medium sweet or white potatoes, cubed
  • 1/2 head of cabbage, finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a frying pan (with a lid) over medium heat. Add garlic, ginger, chilli and onion and cook for a few minutes, until fragrant.
  2. Add berbere spice mix, coating everything in the pan, and cook for a few more minutes.
  3. Add carrots, potato, cabbage and salt. Mix well, then cover pan and cook for 15 minutes, stirring every now and again.
  4. Add another teaspoon of oil to the pan, mix everything around then cover and cook for another 15 minutes (or until all vegetables are tender).
  5. Serve hot with injera flat bread.

Notes

Recipe inspired by Vegan Richa

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a comment & review above or share a photo on Instagram tagging @polkadotpassport so I can reshare your creations!

Make these vegan recipes from Africa next:

Liked this atakilt wat recipe? Pin it for later!

A recipe for the Ethipoian atakilt wat

Nicola Easterby Bio Image

Hey, I'm Nicola!

I am a travel + food blogger on a mission to discover the best destinations & dishes in the world. Thanks for joining the adventure!

READ NEXT:

Pönnukökur: Icelandic Pancakes Recipe

Pönnukökur: Icelandic Pancakes Recipe

Pönnukökur, or Icelandic pancakes, are thin, crepe-like pancakes filled with thick, creamy skyr yogurt and topped with fresh berries. You need to try this healthy & delicious breakfast from Iceland! Almost every country in the world seems to have a version of...

read more
19 Most Instagrammable Cafes in London (2023)

19 Most Instagrammable Cafes in London (2023)

From riverside igloos to retro pastel fit-outs, flower walls to former loos... Here are 19 of the most instagrammable cafes in London in 2023. "Camera eats first." No phrase could be more true when it comes to eating out these days. It's no surprise that more and more...

read more
Pistachio Overnight Oats

Pistachio Overnight Oats

These pistachio overnight oats are the ultimate healthy breakfast for pistachio lovers. Overnight oats are topped with vegan pistachio cream and finished with a sprinkle of crushed pistachios. If you love pistachio as much as I do, you are going to LOVE these...

read more

READ NEXT:

15 Cheap Water Villas in the Maldives

15 Cheap Water Villas in the Maldives

Live your overwater bungalow dreams without breaking the bank by staying at one of these 15 cheap water villas in the Maldives! Have you ever dreamed of staying in a water villa in the Maldives, but assumed it was completely out of your budget? Well, I have great news...

read more
10 Tips for Traveling as a Student

10 Tips for Traveling as a Student

Are you a college student wanting to travel, but don't know where to begin? These 10 tips for traveling as a student are the perfect place to start! Are you a student who loves to travel? Do you want to explore the world while pursuing your education? You are not...

read more
6 Best Spots for a Babymoon in Hawaii (2023)

6 Best Spots for a Babymoon in Hawaii (2023)

Planning a babymoon in Hawaii? This guide will take you through the best things to do and places to stay on each island in Hawaii for 2023! It is easy to see why Hawaii is one of the most popular destinations in the world for a babymoon. With stunning beaches, clear...

read more
Skip to Recipe