Tibs Stir-Fried Beef with Onions and Berbere Sauce

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

Tender cubes of beef sautéed with caramelized onions and a spicy berbere sauce for a flavorful Ethiopian stir-fry. This Ethiopian-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs beef sirloin, onions, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Ethiopian cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 large sliced onions and cook, stirring frequently, for 8 minutes until deeply golden and caramelized.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp berbere spice blend, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Increase heat to high and add 1 lb cubed beef sirloin, cooking for 5-7 minutes, stirring often, until beef is browned on all sides.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1 tbsp tomato paste and 1/2 cup water, scraping any browned bits from the pan. Reduce heat to medium and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the beef.
  5. Step 5: Season with salt to taste and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Remove from heat and serve with injera or rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Tibs Stir-Fried Beef with Onions and Berbere Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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 Onions and Berbere Sauce?

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 beef sirloin from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Tibs Stir-Fried Beef with Onions and Berbere Sauce?

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 Onions and Berbere Sauce 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 Onions and Berbere Sauce?

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.

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