Berbere is an aromatic spice blend central to Ethiopian and Eritrean cooking, typically built from chili peppers, garlic, ginger, fenugreek, and a mix of other spices and seeds. It's the defining seasoning in wat, Ethiopia's spicy stew, and is also used in lentil dishes, grilled meats, and vegetable stews.
Its flavor balances heat from the chilies with the earthy, slightly sweet, and floral notes of spices like fenugreek, cardamom, coriander, and cloves, plus pungent garlic and ginger. It pairs well with red meat, lamb, and poultry, as well as legumes, grains, and root vegetables, and shows up in some breads and stews outside its home cuisines.