Awaze-Spiced Grilled Tibs with Ethiopian-Inspired Salad

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender cubes of beef marinated in fiery awaze spice, grilled to perfection, and served with a fresh salad of tomato, onion, and jalapeño. This ethiopian-inspired beef ready in about 82 minutes pairs beef sirloin, cut into 1-inch cubes, berbere spice blend, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 70 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Ethiopian cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1.5 lbs beef sirloin cubes with 2 tbsp berbere spice, 3 tbsp awaze paste, 3 tbsp olive oil, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Toss well to coat and marinate for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.
  2. Step 2: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread beef cubes onto skewers and grill for 3-4 minutes per side until nicely charred and cooked to medium rare or desired doneness.
  3. Step 3: While beef cooks, mix 1 medium thinly sliced red onion, 2 diced medium tomatoes, 1 sliced seedless jalapeño, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 1.5 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper in a bowl to create a fresh salad.
  4. Step 4: Remove beef from skewers and serve immediately with the vibrant tomato and onion salad on the side.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Awaze-Spiced Grilled Tibs with Ethiopian-Inspired Salad take to make?

Total time is about 82 minutes (70 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Awaze-Spiced Grilled Tibs with Ethiopian-Inspired Salad?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep berbere spice blend from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Awaze-Spiced Grilled Tibs with Ethiopian-Inspired Salad?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Awaze-Spiced Grilled Tibs with Ethiopian-Inspired Salad for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Awaze-Spiced Grilled Tibs with Ethiopian-Inspired Salad?

Ethiopian beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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