Kikil
Ethiopian Lamb Soup
A comforting and mild Ethiopian lamb soup, fragrant with ginger and garlic. This version focuses on the pure flavors of the lamb and aromatics, without the addition of berbere spice.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Lamb leg
- 2 large Yellow onion
- 6 cloves Garlic
- 3 tablespoons Fresh ginger
- 6-8 cups Water
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- to taste Salt
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Place the lamb pieces in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven. Add enough cold water to generously cover the lamb by about 2 inches. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 2
Once boiling, you will see foam and impurities rise to the surface. Carefully skim this foam and discard it using a fine-mesh sieve or a large spoon. This step is crucial for a clean-tasting broth.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 3
Add the finely chopped onions, minced garlic, and grated ginger to the pot. Stir gently to combine.
⏱️ 1 minute - 4
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer gently. The liquid should be barely bubbling. Cook for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the lamb is exceptionally tender and falling apart easily when prodded with a fork.
⏱️ 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes - 5
In the last 5 minutes of cooking, stir in the freshly ground black pepper. This allows the pepper's aroma to remain vibrant.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 6
Taste the broth and season generously with salt. Adjust seasoning as needed. The broth should be savory and well-balanced.
⏱️ 1 minute - 7
Ladle the Kikil soup, ensuring each serving gets plenty of tender lamb, into bowls. Serve hot, traditionally accompanied by injera (Ethiopian sourdough flatbread) for dipping.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The goal is a mild, aromatic broth that highlights the natural flavor of the lamb.
- ✓This dish is meant to be a comforting, light soup, distinct from spicier Ethiopian stews.
- ✓Ensure you skim the impurities thoroughly in step 2 for the clearest and cleanest flavor.
- ✓If you prefer a richer broth, you can use lamb stock instead of water after the initial boiling and skimming.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add cubed potatoes during the last 30 minutes of simmering.
- Add sliced carrots along with the potatoes for added sweetness and color.