Firfir Recipe (Authentic & Vegan Friendly)

Firfir is a traditional Ethiopian dish that has been around for centuries. It’s a simple, yet flavorful dish made with shredded pieces of Injera (a traditional Ethiopian flatbread) mixed with spiced Berbere sauce.

Firfir can be made with either beef, lamb, or vegetables to create a hearty meal full of flavor. The combination of spices and flavors, along with its versatility and convenience, have made it a favorite among Ethiopians. It can be eaten as a main dish on its own, as breakfast, snack or as a side dish along with other dishes.

The Difference Between Firfir and Fitfit

Firfir is most commonly used interchangeably with Fitfit. This is not entirely wrong. Firfir and Fitfit are very similar dishes, both of which are considered breakfast staples in Ethiopian cuisine. They also share the core ingredient – shredded Injera.

However, there are 2 subtle differences to note:

• Temperature: Firfir is typically served hot, while Fitfit can be served warm or cool.
• Sauce: Fitfit can be made from leftover wot (Ethiopian stew) as the sauce, while Firfir usually has its own dedicated sauce prepared specifically for the dish.

So, if you see a dish called Fitfit , it might be a creative combination using leftover stew. Firfir, on the other hand, leans towards a fresher preparation with a dedicated sauce.

Why You’ll Love Firfir 

Firfir is generally considered quite good! Here’s why:

• Flavorful: It’s a simple dish with bold flavors thanks to the berbere spice mix.
• Versatile: You can enjoy it for breakfast, a snack, or even as a side dish.
• Hearty: The Injera bread and optional meat options make it filling.
• Easy to make: It doesn’t require a lot of ingredients or cooking time.

Here are some things to consider to see if it would be good for you:

• Spice level: Berbere can be spicy. If you’re not a fan of spice, you might want to go light on it.
• Dietary needs: Firfir can be vegan if made without meat and with vegetable oil instead of clarified butter.
• Injera: If you’re not familiar with injera, the spongy sourdough flatbread might have a unique texture.

Overall, Firfir is a tasty and popular Ethiopian dish worth trying. If you’re looking for a flavorful and filling breakfast option, Firfir is a great choice!

What You’ll Need to Make Firfir

Here are all the ingredients you need to make a delicious Firfir!

• Injera (shredded)
• tomatoes (chopped)
• tomato paste
• onions (chopped)
• Berbere
• Water
• Ginger (minced)
• Garlic (minced)
• Jalapeño pepper (de-seeded & thinly cut)
• Canola oil
• Salt

Variations

• While this particular recipe does not add it, Niter Kibbeh (Ethiopian Spiced Clarified Butter) is usually added. It adds notes of garlic, ginger, fenugreek seeds, turmeric, black cardamom pods, allspice berries, and oregano – giving the dish a lovely flavor.
• To add more protein to the dish, you can add beef or chicken meat.
• If you’re not a fan of spicy food, you can replace the Berbere with turmeric and make Alicha Firfir.

How to Make Firfir (Step-by-Step Tutorial)

1. Start by cooking the chopped onions for some time – while stirring – until they begin softening and turning translucent.
2. Add the canola oil, and continue cooking for a bit until the oil gets hot. Then add the berbere and continue to stir for a few more minutes.
3. Add the tomato paste to the mix and continue cooking for a while. Then lower the heat to low-medium heat and add the minced ginger and garlic, chopped tomatoes, and some salt, and continue cooking until the tomatoes are cooked well.
4. Add water and bring to simmer so that it looks like a thick tomato soup. Then shred the injera into smaller pieces and start adding it to the mix.
5. Continue cooking and stirring gently so that the injera is soaked through and absorbs all of the moisture.
6. Finally, transfer the Firfir to a serving plate and add the jalapeño peppers on top.

Storage Guide

While it’s certainly possible to store Firfir, ideally it’s freshly prepared. Here’s how storage affects the dish:

• Freshness: Firfir is best enjoyed fresh as the Injera can become tough and the flavors less vibrant upon storage.
• Reheating: You can reheat leftover Firfir, but the Injera might not retain its original texture. Microwaving is not recommended as it can make the Injera dry and rubbery. Reheating on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of water is a better option.

Storing Tips:

• If you do plan to store leftovers, wait for the Firfir to cool completely before refrigerating.
• Store in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days.
• When reheating, add a little moisture to prevent dryness.

Other Ethiopian Firfir And Fitfit Dishes You Must Try

• YeDoro Wot Firfir (Ethiopian Chicken Stew Firfir) Recipe
• Quanta Firfir Recipe
• YeTelba Fitfit (Ethiopian Flaxseed Fitfit) Recipe
• YeSuf Fitfit Recipe
• YeShinbera Alicha Fitfit Recipe

Firfir Recipe

Firfir Recipe

Recipe by Ethiopian Roots HQ

Course: Side Dishes, Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerCuisine: EthiopianDifficulty: Intermediate

Servings

5

servings

Firfir, another popular Ethiopian dish that can be eaten for lunch, dinner, and even breakfast. Learn how to make this dish by using our recipe, where you will find all of the necessary ingredients and step-by-step directions.

Cook Mode

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Ingredients

• 3½ injera

• 2 tomatoes, chopped

• 3 oz tomato paste

• 2 chopped onions

• 1½ tbsp berbere

• ½ cup water

• 2 tsp of ginger, minced

• 4 cloves of garlic, minced

• 1 de-seeded & thinly cut jalapeño pepper

• ¼ cup canola oil

• 1 tbsp salt

Directions

• Start by cooking the chopped onions for some time – while stirring – until they begin softening and turning translucent.
• Add the canola oil, and continue cooking for a bit until the oil gets hot. Then add the berbere and continue to stir for a few more minutes.
• Add the tomato paste to the mix and continue cooking for a while. Then lower the heat to low-medium heat and add the minced ginger and garlic, chopped tomatoes, and some salt, and continue cooking until the tomatoes are cooked well.
• Add water and bring to simmer so that it looks like a thick tomato soup. Then shred the injera into smaller pieces and start adding it to the mix.
• Continue cooking and stirring gently so that the injera is soaked through and absorbs all of the moisture.
• Finally, transfer the Firfir to a serving plate and add the jalapeño peppers on top.

Notes

• Use authentic injera that is not too thick, dense, and brittle to make this recipe.

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