Slow-Cooked Tibs with Onions and Berbere Butter
A slow-cooked beef tibs dish featuring tender cubes of beef sautéed with caramelized onions and finished with a butter infused with berbere spices for deep warmth. This Ethiopian-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 80 minutes, pairs beef sirloin, red onions, berbere spice mix for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 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
- 1.5 lbs, cut into 1-inch cubes beef sirloin
- 2 large, thinly sliced red onions
- 2 tbsp berbere spice mix
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp, chopped fresh rosemary
- 1/2 cup water
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs cubed beef sirloin and sear for 5-6 minutes until browned on all sides. Remove beef and set aside.
- Step 2: Add 2 large thinly sliced red onions to the pan and sauté over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized and golden brown.
- Step 3: In a small saucepan, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter over low heat. Stir in 2 tbsp berbere spice mix and 4 minced garlic cloves, cooking gently for 2 minutes to infuse the butter.
- Step 4: Return the seared beef to the pan with caramelized onions. Pour in the spiced butter, add 1/2 cup water, 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes until beef is tender and sauce is thickened, stirring occasionally.
- Step 6: Adjust seasoning as needed and serve hot with rice or flatbread.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Tibs with Onions and Berbere Butter take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (20 min prep + 60 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 Tibs with Onions and Berbere Butter?
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 beef sirloin from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Tibs with Onions and Berbere Butter?
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 Tibs with Onions and Berbere Butter 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 Tibs with Onions and Berbere Butter?
Ethiopian 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.
