Spiced Tibs Stir-Fry with Berbere and Fresh Herbs
Tender cubes of beef quickly stir-fried with Ethiopian berbere spice, onions, and fresh herbs for a flavorful and spicy dish. This african-inspired beef ready in about 22 minutes pairs tablespoons berbere spice blend, thinly sliced garlic cloves, sliced green chili pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 3, 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 pound, cut into 1-inch cubes beef sirloin
- 2 tablespoons berbere spice blend
- 1 large, sliced into thin wedges yellow onion
- 3, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 1, sliced green chili pepper
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon, chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon, chopped fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large cast-iron skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 1 pound cubed beef sirloin and sear for 3-4 minutes without stirring, until browned on one side.
- Step 2: Add 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion wedges, 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves, and 1 sliced green chili pepper to the skillet. Stir-fry for 3 minutes until onions soften but retain bite.
- Step 3: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons berbere spice blend evenly over the beef and vegetables, stirring to coat all pieces. Cook for 2 minutes until spices become fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary, 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Toss everything together and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until beef is cooked to medium.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and let rest for 2 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Tibs Stir-Fry with Berbere and Fresh Herbs take to make?
Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 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 Tibs Stir-Fry with Berbere and Fresh Herbs?
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 thinly sliced garlic cloves from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Tibs Stir-Fry with Berbere and Fresh Herbs?
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 Tibs Stir-Fry with Berbere and Fresh Herbs for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Tibs Stir-Fry with Berbere and Fresh Herbs?
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.
