Tibs Stir-Fried Beef with Berbere and Fresh Herbs
A quick Ethiopian-style beef stir-fry featuring tender cubes of beef sautéed with berbere spice, garlic, and fresh rosemary for a fragrant and savory dish. This african-inspired beef ready in about 25 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 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
- 1 1/2 tbsp berbere spice blend
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced into thin strips
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary leaves, chopped
- 2 tbsp niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons niter kibbeh in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Add 1 pound beef sirloin cubes and sear for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides but still juicy inside.
- Step 3: Toss in 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, stir-frying for 3 minutes until onions soften and become translucent.
- Step 4: Sprinkle 1 1/2 tablespoons berbere spice blend, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper over the beef and vegetables; stir well to evenly coat and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 5: Stir in 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves and cook for 30 seconds.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and squeeze fresh lemon wedges over the tibs just before serving. Serve hot with injera or rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Tibs Stir-Fried Beef 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 Tibs Stir-Fried Beef 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 Tibs Stir-Fried Beef 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 Tibs Stir-Fried Beef 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 Tibs Stir-Fried Beef 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.