Slow-Simmered Ethiopian Spiced Beef Tibs
Tender cubes of beef simmered with traditional Ethiopian spices, onions, and berbere for a deeply flavorful stew. This ethiopian-inspired beef ready in about 70 minutes pairs beef sirloin, 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 320 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
- 2 tbsp berbere spice blend
- 1 large (about 150g) red onion, finely sliced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup water
- 3 tbsp niter kibbeh (Ethiopian spiced clarified butter)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 small fresh jalapeño, sliced (optional)
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp niter kibbeh in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat until melted and shimmering. Add 1 large finely sliced red onion, and cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent with edges turning golden.
- Step 2: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated ginger, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 2 tbsp berbere spice blend and 2 tbsp tomato paste, cooking for 2 minutes to toast the spices and deepen the flavors.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb beef sirloin cubes to the pan and increase heat to medium-high. Sear the beef for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until browned on all sides.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 cup water, then add 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary, and 1 sliced small jalapeño if desired. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes until the beef is tender and the sauce thickens.
- Step 5: Adjust seasoning to taste and serve hot with injera or steamed rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Simmered Ethiopian Spiced Beef Tibs take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (15 min prep + 55 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 Ethiopian 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 blend from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Simmered Ethiopian 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 Ethiopian 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 Ethiopian Spiced Beef Tibs?
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.
