Spicy Tibs Stir-Fry with Berbere and Fresh Herbs
A quick and vibrant Ethiopian beef stir-fry featuring tender cubes of beef, aromatic berbere spices, and fresh rosemary and jalapeño. This ethiopian-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs beef sirloin, cut into 1-inch cubes, berbere spice blend, medium red onion, sliced 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. 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 medium red onion, sliced
- 1 jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb beef sirloin cubes and sear for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until browned on all sides but still tender inside.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium sliced red onion, 1 thinly sliced jalapeño pepper, and 3 cloves minced garlic to the pan. Stir-fry for 3 minutes until the onion softens and the garlic is fragrant.
- Step 3: Sprinkle 2 tbsp berbere spice blend and 1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary over the beef and vegetables. Stir well to evenly coat and cook for an additional 2 minutes to toast the spices.
- Step 4: Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then drizzle 1 tbsp lemon juice over the mixture. Toss briefly and remove from heat.
- Step 5: Serve the spicy tibs immediately with injera or rice for a lively, aromatic meal.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Tibs Stir-Fry with Berbere and Fresh Herbs take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Spicy 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 berbere spice blend from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy 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 Spicy Tibs Stir-Fry with Berbere and Fresh Herbs 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 Spicy Tibs Stir-Fry with Berbere and Fresh Herbs?
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.
Related recipes
Spicy Beef Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers and Garlic
Spiced Beef Stir-Fry with Snow Peas and Ginger
Korean-Style Spicy Beef Stir-Fry with Sesame and Scallions
Spicy Korean-Style Beef Stir-Fry with Gochujang and Scallions
Tibs Stir-Fry with Berbere-Spiced Beef and Vegetables
Spicy Beef Stir-Fry with Garlic and Chili
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
