Tibs Stir-Fry with Berbere-Spiced Beef and Bell Peppers

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

A quick Ethiopian-inspired beef stir-fry tossed with vibrant bell peppers and aromatic berbere spice for a flavorful weeknight meal. This african-inspired beef ready in about 25 minutes pairs thinly sliced into strips beef sirloin, medium, sliced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 African cuisine 350 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb thinly sliced beef sirloin strips, seasoning with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until browned but still tender.
  2. Step 2: Push the beef to the side, then add 1 medium sliced yellow onion, 1 large sliced red bell pepper, and 1 large sliced green bell pepper to the skillet. Stir-fry the vegetables for 4 minutes until they start to soften but retain crunch.
  3. Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp berbere spice blend to the skillet, stirring everything together and cooking for 2 minutes until the spices are fragrant and coat the meat and vegetables evenly.
  4. Step 4: Sprinkle 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary over the stir-fry, toss to combine, and cook for another minute to blend flavors.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and serve immediately with lemon wedges for squeezing over the top, enhancing the bright, spicy notes.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Tibs Stir-Fry with Berbere-Spiced Beef and Bell Peppers 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-Fry with Berbere-Spiced Beef and Bell Peppers?

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 yellow onion from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Tibs Stir-Fry with Berbere-Spiced Beef and Bell Peppers?

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-Fry with Berbere-Spiced Beef and Bell Peppers 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-Fry with Berbere-Spiced Beef and Bell Peppers?

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.

Related recipes