Slow-Simmered Berbere Spiced Beef Tibs

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender cubes of beef cooked slowly in a rich, aromatic berbere sauce, enhanced with onions, garlic, and Ethiopian spices for a deeply flavorful stew. This african-inspired beef ready in about 110 minutes pairs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes, berbere spice mix, garlic cloves, minced 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 90 min Serves 4 African cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large heavy-bottomed pot, melt 3 tbsp niter kibbeh over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 6-7 minutes until soft and translucent, stirring frequently.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated ginger root, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 tbsp berbere spice mix and 2 tbsp tomato paste, stirring constantly for 2 minutes until the spices bloom and the mixture thickens slightly.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 lb beef chuck cubes to the pot, stirring to coat all pieces evenly with the spice mixture. Cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes until the beef starts to brown.
  5. Step 5: Pour in 1 cup water, then add 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover partially, and reduce heat to low.
  6. Step 6: Let the beef simmer gently for 1 hour 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is tender and the sauce has thickened to a rich consistency.
  7. Step 7: Taste and adjust seasoning before serving, ideally with injera or rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Simmered Berbere Spiced Beef Tibs take to make?

Total time is about 110 minutes (20 min prep + 90 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-Simmered Berbere Spiced Beef Tibs?

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 mix from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Berbere Spiced Beef Tibs?

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-Simmered Berbere Spiced Beef Tibs 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-Simmered Berbere Spiced Beef Tibs?

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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