Ethiopian Siga Tibs Beef (Printable)

Sautéed beef cubes and vibrant vegetables meet bold Ethiopian spices for a flavorful, spicy main dish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Beef

01 - 1.1 lb beef sirloin or ribeye, cut into ¾ inch cubes

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

02 - 2 medium red onions, thinly sliced
03 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 thumb-sized piece fresh ginger, minced
05 - 1 large tomato, diced
06 - 1 green bell pepper, sliced
07 - 2 jalapeños or Ethiopian green chilies, sliced

→ Spices & Seasonings

08 - 2 tablespoons niter kibbeh (Ethiopian spiced clarified butter) or unsalted butter
09 - 1½ tablespoons berbere spice blend
10 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
11 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
12 - 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped

→ Optional Garnish

13 - Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
14 - Lemon wedges

# How to Make:

01 - Heat niter kibbeh in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
02 - Add sliced onions and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and lightly golden.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and ginger; cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
04 - Add beef cubes and brown on all sides for 3 to 4 minutes.
05 - Sprinkle berbere, ground black pepper, and salt over the beef. Toss thoroughly to season evenly.
06 - Add diced tomato and chopped rosemary; stir and cook for 3 minutes until the tomato begins to break down.
07 - Add sliced bell pepper and jalapeños. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, letting vegetables soften but remain slightly crisp and beef reach desired doneness.
08 - Sample and adjust salt or spices if necessary.
09 - Transfer stir-fry to a serving platter. Garnish with fresh herbs and lemon wedges if desired, and serve immediately with injera or rice.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Ready in under one hour so great for weeknights
  • Layered with bold Ethiopian flavors like berbere and niter kibbeh
  • Uses one skillet for easy clean-up
  • Perfect for dairy free and nut free diets
  • Works well with budget beef cuts and pantry veggies
02 -
  • High in protein and keeps you full for hours
  • Traditional Siga Tibs does not use dairy or nuts so safe for most diets
  • Leftovers taste even better after the spices mellow overnight
  • Berbere is a superfood mix with antioxidant rich spices
03 -
  • Dice the beef as evenly as possible for consistent cooking
  • Do not rush the onion step as the sweetness forms the backbone of the sauce
  • Taste your berbere before using as some blends are hotter or more pungent than others
  • Always finish with fresh lemon the tartness amps up the spices and cuts any richness

Return