Slow-Cooked Ethiopian Beef Tibs with Berbere and Garlic

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender beef cubes slow-cooked in a fragrant berbere and garlic sauce, perfect for a rich and spicy Ethiopian main dish. This african-inspired beef ready in about 140 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, berbere spice blend, garlic cloves, minced 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 120 min Serves 4 African cuisine 480 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI →

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 large sliced yellow onion and sauté for 5-6 minutes until golden and caramelized.
  2. Step 2: Add 5 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 3 tbsp berbere spice blend, cooking for 1 more minute to release aromas.
  3. Step 3: Add 1.5 lbs beef chuck cubes to the pan and sear on all sides for 6-8 minutes until browned.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and 1 1/2 cups water along with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until beef is tender and sauce thickens.
  5. Step 5: Adjust seasoning to taste and serve hot with injera or steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Ethiopian Beef Tibs with Berbere and Garlic take to make?

Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 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 Slow-Cooked Ethiopian Beef Tibs with Berbere and Garlic?

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 Slow-Cooked Ethiopian Beef Tibs with Berbere and Garlic?

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 Slow-Cooked Ethiopian Beef Tibs with Berbere and Garlic 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 Slow-Cooked Ethiopian Beef Tibs with Berbere and Garlic?

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.

Related recipes