Main Course · Dinner · African ·

Fragrant Ethiopian Tibs with Onion and Berbere

Name: Fragrant Ethiopian Tibs with Onion and Berbere
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Beef sirloin, 1 lb, thinly sliced; Berbere spice mix, 1 tablespoon; Olive oil, 3 tablespoons; Lemon juice, Juice of 1 lemon; Salt and pepper, To taste; Onions, 2 large, thinly sliced; Garlic, 3 cloves, minced; Ginger, 1 tablespoon, grated; Clarified butter (niter kibbeh), 2 tablespoons; Bell pepper, 1, thinly sliced; Tomatoes, 2, chopped; Tomato paste, 1 tablespoon; Beef broth (or water), ½ cup; Fresh cilantro leaves; Green chili, 1 small, thinly sliced

Crafted with tender beef, aromatic spices, and rich flavors, this dish captures the essence of Ethiopian cuisine with each bite. Perfect for a gathering or a bold dinner at home.

4.1(543 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·September 16, 2025

Fragrant Ethiopian Tibs with Onion and Berbere — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Marinated Beef

For the Aromatic Base

For the Stir-Fry

For the Garnish

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 422 kcal
Protein: 28 g
Carbs: 13 g
Fat: 29.5 g
Fiber: 2.5 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1688 kcal
Protein: 112 g
Carbs: 51 g
Fat: 118 g
Fiber: 10 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Beef sirloin 1 lb, thinly sliced	920	104	0	56	0
Berbere spice mix 1 tablespoon	16	1	3	1	1
Olive oil 3 tablespoons	360	0	0	41	0
Lemon juice Juice of 1 lemon	12	0	4	0	0
Salt and pepper To taste	0	0	0	0	0
Onions 2 large, thinly sliced	88	2	20	0	4
Garlic 3 cloves, minced	13	1	3	0	0
Ginger 1 tablespoon, grated	5	0	1	0	0
Clarified butter (niter kibbeh) 2 tablespoons	180	0	0	20	0
Bell pepper 1, thinly sliced	20	1	5	0	2
Tomatoes 2, chopped	44	2	10	0	2
Tomato paste 1 tablespoon	13	0	3	0	1
Beef broth (or water) ½ cup	10	1	1	0	0
Fresh cilantro leaves	1	0	0	0	0
Green chili 1 small, thinly sliced	6	0	1	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Beef

1
Combine ingredients
In a mixing bowl, combine beef slices with berbere spice, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
2
Coat and chill
Mix well to coat evenly and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor.
3
Bring to room temperature
Remove from fridge to bring to room temperature before cooking.

Preparing the Aromatic Base

1
Sauté onions
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a touch of oil if needed. Sauté onions until soft and translucent.
2
Add garlic and ginger
Stir in garlic and ginger, cooking until fragrant.
Tip: Ensure not to burn the garlic, as it can become bitter. Pro Tip: Add a dash of water if onions are sticking to the pan, to release caramelized flavors.

How to Make Fragrant Ethiopian Tibs with Onion and Berbere

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Searing the Beef
Heat the skillet to high and add marinated beef, searing quickly to lock in juices (about 3 minutes).
2
Vegetable Blend
Add bell peppers, tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth to the seared beef. Stir well and combine with onions and garlic already in the skillet.
3
Simmer
Reduce heat to medium, cover and let simmer until everything melds together with a sauce-like consistency (about 10 minutes).