Beef Tibs (Ethiopian Sautéed Beef with Onion and Peppers)
Local name: ጥብስ
In short: Quick-sautéed beef cubes with onion, green chili, garlic and rosemary in spiced butter, served sizzling with injera and a spicy dipping paste. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 445 kcal
Tibs is the everyday celebration dish of Ethiopia: bite-size pieces of tender meat sautéed hot and fast with onion, green chili and rosemary, served sizzling in a clay or iron pan. It is quicker than wat and lets the meat itself shine, with niter kibbeh adding a nutty, spiced aroma. Beef is the most popular choice, with lamb a close second. Serve with injera and a spicy dipping paste called awaze.
Instructions
- Pat the beef dry and season with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Mix the awaze ingredients in a small bowl.
- Heat 1 tablespoon each of the oil and niter kibbeh in a large heavy skillet over high heat. Brown the beef in two batches for 2 to 3 minutes each, then remove to a plate.
- Lower the heat to medium and add the remaining oil and niter kibbeh. Cook the onions for 5 minutes until softened and lightly golden.
- Add the garlic, ginger and rosemary and cook for 1 minute, then the bell pepper, chilies, tomato and berbere for 3 minutes.
- Return the beef and any juices to the pan and toss for 2 to 3 minutes, until the meat is cooked to at least 63°C (145°F). Add the remaining salt to taste and remove the rosemary sprig.
- Serve sizzling with injera and the awaze for dipping.
Tips
- Choose a tender cut such as sirloin, tenderloin or rib-eye and cook it briefly. Tough stewing cuts will turn chewy in this quick method.
- Lamb leg works with the same method. For a drier, crisper style, called derek tibs, cook the meat a few minutes longer without adding the tomato.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between tibs and wat?
Tibs is quickly sautéed meat with onion and peppers, and it is fairly dry. Wat is a slow-cooked stew in a thick, spiced sauce.
What cut of beef is best for tibs?
Tender cuts such as sirloin, tenderloin or rib-eye. Cut the meat into small cubes or strips so it cooks in a few minutes.
How spicy is tibs?
It varies. Mild tibs has just onion, garlic and rosemary, while the version here has a medium heat from the chilies and berbere. Serve the awaze on the side for those who want more.
How long does it take to make Beef Tibs (Ethiopian Sautéed Beef with Onion and Peppers)?
About 30 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Beef Tibs (Ethiopian Sautéed Beef with Onion and Peppers)?
About 445 kcal per serving, with 39 g of protein, 10 g of carbohydrates and 27 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 445 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 39 g |
| Carbohydrates | 10 g |
| Fat | 27 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
