Spiced Ethiopian-Inspired Beef Tibs with Mitmita Pepper

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender cubes of beef sautéed with onions, garlic, and the fiery Ethiopian mitmita spice, creating a bold and aromatic dish perfect as a main course. This african-inspired beef ready in about 35 minutes pairs medium, sliced red onion, minced garlic cloves, mitmita spice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 470 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 African cuisine 470 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons of niter kibbeh in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add 1.25 pounds of beef sirloin cubes and sear for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally until browned on all sides but not fully cooked through.
  2. Step 2: Remove beef from skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, add 2 medium sliced red onions and sauté over medium heat for 6 minutes until soft and starting to caramelize.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 5 minced garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons mitmita spice, 1 teaspoon berbere spice blend, and 1 small sliced green chili pepper if using. Cook for 2 minutes until the spices are fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Return the beef to the skillet along with 1 sprig fresh rosemary, 1.25 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Toss everything together and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the beef is cooked to desired doneness and the spices coat the meat evenly.
  5. Step 5: Remove the rosemary sprig and serve immediately with injera bread or steamed rice.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Ethiopian-Inspired Beef Tibs with Mitmita Pepper take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Spiced Ethiopian-Inspired Beef Tibs with Mitmita Pepper?

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 medium, sliced red onion from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Ethiopian-Inspired Beef Tibs with Mitmita Pepper?

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 Spiced Ethiopian-Inspired Beef Tibs with Mitmita Pepper 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 Spiced Ethiopian-Inspired Beef Tibs with Mitmita Pepper?

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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