Ethiopian-Inspired Spiced Beef Kitfo with Ayib Cheese

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-25 · Updated 2026-04-25

A traditional Ethiopian-style finely minced beef seasoned with mitmita and warmed clarified butter, served alongside homemade mild Ethiopian cheese. This Ethiopian-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs lean ground beef, mitmita spice blend, niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter) for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 2 tsp mitmita spice blend
• 3 tbsp niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter)
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cups fresh whole milk
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp white vinegar

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Instructions

1. Step 1: To make Ayib cheese, bring 2 cups fresh whole milk to a gentle simmer in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice and 1 tbsp white vinegar, cooking for 3 minutes until curds form and separate from the whey. Pour through a fine sieve lined with cheesecloth and let drain for 30 minutes.
2. Step 2: While the cheese drains, gently warm 3 tbsp niter kibbeh in a skillet over low heat. Add 1 lb lean ground beef, 2 tsp mitmita spice blend, and 1 tsp salt, stirring continuously for 5 minutes just until the beef is warmed through but not fully cooked, maintaining a raw texture typical of kitfo.
3. Step 3: Serve the spiced beef immediately with a side of freshly made mild ayib cheese, using injera or flatbread to scoop and enjoy.