Skip to main content

Genfo (Ethiopian Porridge) with Coconut Milk

A comforting Ethiopian breakfast porridge made with barley flour and coconut milk. This recipe avoids dairy and soy by using coconut milk for richness and flavor.

20m4 servings

Make this recipe part of your week

Sign in to keep this exact recipe. You choose what to save or replace.

Genfo (Ethiopian Porridge) with Coconut Milk recipe by Safe Plated
Contains wheatSOY-free
350 cal|8g protein|55g carbs|12g fat|6g fiber

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Barley Flour
  • 4 cups Coconut Milk
  • 2 cups Water
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 2 tbsp Niter Kibbeh Substitute
  • 1 tsp Berbere Spice (Optional)

Original measure retained: its cup/spoon or fluid-volume standard is unspecified.

Instructions

  1. 1In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine the 1 cup of Barley Flour, 4 cups of Coconut Milk, 2 cups of Water, and 1/4 tsp of Salt. Whisk everything together until the flour is fully incorporated and there are no lumps.
  2. 2Place the pot over medium heat (around 176.7°C or 175°C). Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly with a whisk or wooden spoon to prevent the barley flour from sticking to the bottom and forming lumps. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
  3. 3Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to low (around 93.33°C or 95°C). Continue to cook, stirring frequently, for 10-15 minutes. The porridge is ready when it has thickened to a consistency similar to oatmeal or thick gravy.
  4. 4Create a small well in the center of the thickened porridge. Carefully add the 2 tbsp of Niter Kibbeh Substitute into this well.
  5. 5Serve the Genfo hot, with the Niter Kibbeh Substitute in the center. If desired, sprinkle the 1 tsp of Berbere Spice over the top for added flavor.

Substitutions

Niter Kibbeh → Melted coconut oil with cardamom, cumin and turmeric

Dairy Free & Soy Free

Keep a label checklist handy when you cook

Get the free 7-rule checklist for reading packaged-ingredient labels, then one practical allergy-aware tip each week. Confirm by email; no Safe Plated account needed.

One practical tip each week. Unsubscribe anytime. See our privacy policy.

More ethiopian recipes to explore

Different recipes may contain different allergens. Review each ingredient list for your household.

Related Guides

Cooking with a packaged ingredient?

Paste the current ingredient list and see the exact allergen terms the checker recognises. Always verify the package in front of you.

Check an ingredient label

Keep reading this recipe

Open this recipe in the app

Sign in to continue with this recipe. No meal plan generation needed.

Want a full week of recipes like this?

Get a personalized 7-day meal plan customized for your family's specific allergens. Every recipe is cross-checked by an independent AI.

Build my free 7-day plan

No credit card required.

Safe Plated uses essential cookies to operate the service. With your permission, Google Ads measurement helps us understand whether an ad leads to a confirmed checklist subscription. We do not send ingredient text, allergen selections, or subscriber email addresses to Google for this measurement. See our Privacy Policy.