Kitfo (Ethiopian Spiced Minced Beef)
Local name: ክትፎ
In short: Minced beef cooked in spiced butter with mitmita and cardamom, served with fresh cheese and greens, a prized Ethiopian celebration dish. It takes about 22 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 12 min
- Total
- 22 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 355 kcal
Kitfo is minced beef seasoned with mitmita, a hot spice blend, and niter kibbeh, a spiced butter, and it is one of Ethiopia's most prized dishes. It is eaten at holidays and celebrations, often with a mild fresh cheese called ayib and a mound of cooked greens to balance the heat. Kitfo is commonly served raw or barely warmed in Ethiopia, but this recipe cooks the beef through, which is the safer choice at home.
Instructions
- Warm the niter kibbeh in a wide skillet over low heat until melted. Stir in the mitmita and cardamom and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the beef and raise the heat to medium. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes, breaking it up and stirring, until browned and no pink remains (71°C / 160°F).
- Remove from the heat. Season with the salt and lemon juice.
- Spoon the kitfo onto a warm plate. Serve hot with the cheese, greens, extra mitmita and injera.
Tips
- Traditional kitfo is often eaten raw (tere) or barely warmed (leb leb). Raw ground beef carries a risk of foodborne illness, especially for children, pregnant women and older adults, so cook it to 71°C (160°F).
- No ayib? Use drained cottage cheese or ricotta. No mitmita? Mix 1 tbsp cayenne, 1/2 tsp ground cardamom, 1/4 tsp ground cloves and 1/2 tsp salt.
Questions and answers
Is kitfo always served raw?
No. In Ethiopia it can be served raw (tere), lightly warmed (leb leb) or fully cooked. This recipe cooks it through to 71°C (160°F) for safety.
What is mitmita?
Mitmita is a hot Ethiopian spice blend of ground bird's eye chili with cardamom, cloves and salt. It is hotter than berbere and often served on the side.
What do you serve kitfo with?
Ayib (fresh cheese) and gomen (collard greens) are the classic partners, along with injera or enset bread.
How long does it take to make Kitfo (Ethiopian Spiced Minced Beef)?
About 22 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 12 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Kitfo (Ethiopian Spiced Minced Beef)?
About 355 kcal per serving, with 29 g of protein, 2 g of carbohydrates and 25 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 355 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 29 g |
| Carbohydrates | 2 g |
| Fat | 25 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 600 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
