Tibs is the weeknight workhorse of Ethiopian cooking — thin slices of beef sautéed quickly in niter kibbeh (Ethiopian spiced clarified butter) with onions, jalapeños, and berbere. It is fast, deeply flavourful, and cooked entirely in ancestral fat. Ghee is the closest widely available substitute for niter kibbeh, though the full version with cardamom, black cumin, and fenugreek is worth making if you have the spices.
Ethiopian Tibs Recipe
Ingredients
- 600g beef sirloin or ribeye, sliced 3-4mm thin against the grain
- 3 tbsp ghee (or niter kibbeh if available)
- 1 large onion, halved and sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 jalapeño peppers, sliced (seeds in for heat, out for mild)
- 1 ripe tomato, diced
- 1 small sprig of fresh rosemary
- 1 tsp berbere spice blend
- Sea salt to taste
- Injera or rice to serve
Method
- Heat the ghee in a large skillet or cast iron over high heat until smoking. Sear the beef in a single layer in batches — do not crowd. Cook 2 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, add the sliced onion. Cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes until beginning to soften and brown at the edges.
- Add the garlic, jalapeños, and rosemary. Cook 1 minute.
- Add the diced tomato and berbere spice. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring, until the tomato breaks down slightly.
- Return the seared beef to the pan. Toss everything together for 1 minute over high heat.
- Season with salt. Serve immediately over injera or steamed rice.
What is niter kibbeh?
Niter kibbeh is Ethiopian spiced clarified butter — ghee infused with onion, garlic, ginger, cardamom, and other spices. Ghee is a direct substitute. To approximate niter kibbeh, melt ghee with a pinch of cardamom, turmeric, and dried onion.
What is berbere?
Berbere is an Ethiopian spice blend containing chilli, coriander, fenugreek, ginger, cardamom, and black pepper. It is available at Ethiopian grocery stores and on Amazon. It is seed oil free.
Is tibs seed oil free?
Yes. The fat is ghee or niter kibbeh. No seed oils.
Follow Savannah: @theefoodiekitchen · All Links
African, Hawaiian, Indian, Mediterranean, Asian, Exotic, Chicken, Rice, Cookies, Coffee, Spices, Plants, World Cuisine, 30-Minute Dinners and more.
View All 23 Books on Amazon →