Grilled Berbere-Spiced Beef Tibs with Onions and Peppers
Tender cubes of beef marinated in Ethiopian berbere spice and grilled with onions and peppers for a smoky, flavorful dish. This african-inspired beef ready in about 52 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 350 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 beef sirloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp berbere spice blend
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb beef sirloin cubes with 2 tbsp berbere spice blend, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss well to coat and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread the beef cubes onto skewers, alternating with slices of 1 medium yellow onion, 1 medium red bell pepper, and 1 medium green bell pepper.
- Step 3: Grill the skewers for 8-10 minutes, turning every 2-3 minutes, until the beef is cooked to medium doneness and the vegetables are tender and slightly charred.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and drizzle with 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice to add brightness.
- Step 5: Serve immediately with injera or rice and enjoy the smoky, spicy flavors.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Berbere-Spiced Beef Tibs with Onions and Peppers take to make?
Total time is about 52 minutes (40 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 Grilled Berbere-Spiced Beef Tibs with Onions and Peppers?
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 Tibs with Onions and Peppers?
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 Tibs with Onions and Peppers 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 Tibs with Onions and Peppers?
African 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.