Grilled Berbere-Spiced Beef Kebabs with Yogurt Sauce

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

Tender beef skewers marinated in a smoky berbere spice blend, grilled to juicy perfection and served with a cooling garlic yogurt sauce. This ethiopian-inspired african ready in about 35 minutes pairs sirloin beef, 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: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Ethiopian cuisine 480 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1.5 pounds sirloin beef cubes, 2 tbsp berbere spice blend, 3 tbsp olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp salt. Toss well to coat, cover, and marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  2. Step 2: Soak 8 wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes if using wooden to prevent burning.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, prepare the yogurt sauce by mixing 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1.5 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro in a small bowl. Chill until serving.
  4. Step 4: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F).
  5. Step 5: Thread the marinated beef cubes evenly onto the skewers.
  6. Step 6: Grill the kebabs for 3-4 minutes per side, turning to get even grill marks, until the beef reaches your desired doneness and is slightly charred on the edges.
  7. Step 7: Remove kebabs from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes.
  8. Step 8: Serve the kebabs hot with the chilled garlic yogurt sauce for dipping.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Berbere-Spiced Beef Kebabs with Yogurt Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 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 Grilled Berbere-Spiced Beef Kebabs with Yogurt Sauce?

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 Grilled Berbere-Spiced Beef Kebabs with Yogurt Sauce?

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 Grilled Berbere-Spiced Beef Kebabs with Yogurt Sauce 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 Grilled Berbere-Spiced Beef Kebabs with Yogurt Sauce?

Ethiopian african 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes