Main Course · Dinner · African ·

Spiced Ethiopian Kitfo with Mitmita and Clarified Butter

Name: Spiced Ethiopian Kitfo with Mitmita and Clarified Butter
Prep time: 17 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 67 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Beef, 500g — very lean, minced; Clarified Butter (Niter Kibbeh), 3 tbsp — melted; Mitmita Spice Blend, 1 tsp — adjust to taste; Salt, To taste; Unsalted Butter, 250g; Garlic, 1 tsp — minced; Ginger, 1 tsp — minced; Turmeric, 1/2 tsp; Ground Cardamom, 1/2 tsp; Ground Coriander, 1/2 tsp; Ground Cinnamon, 1/4 tsp; Nutmeg, 1/4 tsp; Onion, 1/4 cup — finely chopped; Fenugreek Seeds, 1/2 tsp; Fresh Basil Leaves, 1/2 cup — finely chopped; Fresh Arugula, 1/4 cup — thinly sliced; Injera Bread, Traditional Ethiopian flatbread, as required

Kitfo is a classic Ethiopian dish primarily consisting of raw minced beef seasoned with spices and clarified butter, offering a truly rich and authentic taste experience.

4.7(242 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·July 26, 2025

Spiced Ethiopian Kitfo with Mitmita and Clarified Butter — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

17 min

Cook

50 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Kitfo

For the Niter Kibbeh

For the Garnishes

For Serving

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 749 kcal
Protein: 24.5 g
Carbs: 12.25 g
Fat: 67.25 g
Fiber: 0.75 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2994 kcal
Protein: 98 g
Carbs: 49 g
Fat: 269 g
Fiber: 3 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Beef 500g — very lean, minced	650	90	0	30	0
Clarified Butter (Niter Kibbeh) 3 tbsp — melted	300	0	0	34	0
Mitmita Spice Blend 1 tsp — adjust to taste	5	0	1	0	0
Salt To taste	0	0	0	0	0
Unsalted Butter 250g	1800	2	2	204	0
Garlic 1 tsp — minced	5	0	1	0	0
Ginger 1 tsp — minced	2	0	0	0	0
Turmeric 1/2 tsp	4	0	1	0	0
Ground Cardamom 1/2 tsp	2	0	0	0	0
Ground Coriander 1/2 tsp	2	0	0	0	0
Ground Cinnamon 1/4 tsp	2	0	1	0	1
Nutmeg 1/4 tsp	3	0	0	0	0
Onion 1/4 cup — finely chopped	10	0	2	0	0
Fenugreek Seeds 1/2 tsp	6	0	1	0	0
Fresh Basil Leaves 1/2 cup — finely chopped	2	0	0	0	0
Fresh Arugula 1/4 cup — thinly sliced	1	0	0	0	0
Injera Bread Traditional Ethiopian flatbread, as required	200	6	40	1	2

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Beef

1
Combine Beef and Butter
In a mixing bowl, combine the minced beef with melted clarified butter.
2
Add Spices and Salt
Add the mitmita spice blend and salt to taste.
3
Mix Thoroughly
Mix well until the beef is well coated with spices and butter.

Preparing the Niter Kibbeh

1
Melt Butter
Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat.
2
Add Aromatics and Spices
Add garlic, ginger, turmeric, cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, nutmeg, onion, and fenugreek seeds.
3
Simmer and Strain
Simmer gently, allowing the flavors to infuse for about 15 minutes, then strain the mixture to clarify the butter.
Tip: Important: Ensure that the niter kibbeh is properly clarified to avoid butter burning. Pro Tip: The longer you simmer the niter kibbeh, the more intense the flavors will become.

How to Make Spiced Ethiopian Kitfo with Mitmita and Clarified Butter

Total time: 1 h 7 min · Yields 4 servings

1
Mixing the Kitfo
Combine the marinated beef with a bit more niter kibbeh just before serving to enrich the texture.
2
Heating the Mitmita
Warm the mitmita slightly to release its deep, rich flavors.
3
Resting the Beef
Allow the spiced beef to rest for a few minutes before serving for best taste.