Simmered Berbere-Spiced Beef Tibs with Onions and Tomatoes
A rich Ethiopian stew featuring tender beef chunks simmered in a spicy berbere sauce with sweet onions and fresh tomatoes. This african-inspired beef ready in about 65 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, berbere spice blend, large, sliced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp berbere spice blend
- 1 large, sliced yellow onion
- 2 medium, diced ripe tomatoes
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, minced ginger root
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb beef chuck cubes and brown on all sides for 5-6 minutes until caramelized.
- Step 2: Add 1 large sliced yellow onion and sauté with the beef for 5 minutes until onions soften and start to caramelize.
- Step 3: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced ginger root, and 2 tbsp berbere spice blend; cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 2 diced ripe tomatoes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Pour in 1 cup water, stirring to combine.
- Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 40 minutes until beef is tender and sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
- Step 6: Adjust seasoning if necessary, then serve hot with injera or rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Simmered Berbere-Spiced Beef Tibs with Onions and Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 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 Simmered Berbere-Spiced Beef Tibs with Onions and Tomatoes?
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 Simmered Berbere-Spiced Beef Tibs with Onions and Tomatoes?
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 Simmered Berbere-Spiced Beef Tibs with Onions and Tomatoes 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 Simmered Berbere-Spiced Beef Tibs with Onions and Tomatoes?
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.
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