Sautéed Spiced Beef Tibs with Onions and Peppers
Tender cubes of beef quickly sautéed with aromatic berbere spices, caramelized onions, and bell peppers for a flavorful Ethiopian-style stir fry. This african-inspired beef ready in about 30 minutes pairs beef sirloin, cut into 1-inch cubes, berbere spice blend, medium tomato, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 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
- 1 1/2 tbsp berbere spice blend
- 1 large (1 1/2 cups) yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 1 medium tomato, diced
- 3 tbsp niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter)
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp niter kibbeh in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 1/2 cups thinly sliced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and slightly caramelized.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 1/2 tbsp berbere spice blend, stirring constantly for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Increase heat to high and add 1 lb beef sirloin cubes, seasoning with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Sear the beef for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides but still tender inside.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 medium sliced green bell pepper and 1 diced medium tomato, cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes until the vegetables soften but retain some crunch.
- Step 5: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Remove from heat and serve immediately with injera or rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Spiced Beef Tibs with Onions and Peppers take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Sautéed 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 Sautéed 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 Sautéed 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 Sautéed 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.
