How to make Ethiopian Spice Butter “Niter Kibbeh”

Ethiopian Spiced Butter: Flavor That Melts Into Everything, by Afromeals

There’s a reason why Ethiopian cuisine is known for its bold, deep, and unforgettable flavors and at the heart of it all is Niter Kibbeh, or Ethiopian spiced butter.

Now, thanks to the Afromeals Ethiopian Spiced Butter Blend, you can make this essential recipe at home and infuse its rich aroma into classic Ethiopian meals and your everyday dishes.

What is Ethiopian Spiced Butter?

Niter Kibbeh is no ordinary butter. It’s slowly simmered with a medley of warming spices such as cardamom, garlic, ginger, cinnamon, fenugreek, turmeric, etc. to create a golden, fragrant butter used as a cooking base in many Ethiopian dishes.

With Afromeals Ethiopian Spiced Butter Blend, we’ve done the hard part for you. All you need to do is melt your butter and stir in our handcrafted blend for an instant, authentic flavor experience.

Beyond Ethiopia: Spiced Butter Goes Global

Don’t limit yourself to Ethiopian cooking, this butter is a game changer in everyday dishes too.

Here’s how you can get creative with Afromeals Spiced Butter:

• 🧈 On Bagels & Breads: Spread it like regular butter for a savory kick that wakes up your morning toast or bagel.
• 🌽 Roasted Corn: Brush it on grilled or roasted corn. Perfect for BBQs!
• 🧀 Charcuterie Butter Board: Instead of cheese, smear Ethiopian spiced butter on a wooden board. Serve with warm crusty bread. A conversation starter and flavor bomb.
• 🥔 On Roasted Potatoes or Veggies: Toss veggies in melted spiced butter before roasting. Trust us, your kitchen will smell like heaven.
• 🍝 On Pasta or Grains: Stir into couscous, pasta, or rice for a North, East, West African twist.

How to make Ethiopian Spiced Butter

Ethiopian spice butter bread

1 stick salted butter (chopped)

1 tsp ginger (grated or minced)

1 onion (chopped)

2 cloves garlic (minced)

1.5 teaspoon of Afromeals Ethiopian Spice Butter Blend

Directions

Into a small pot or pan melt butter over medium low heat. Once butter melts, add onion, ginger, and garlic and let it cook for 30 seconds, stirring occasionally. Add Afromeals Spice butter blend into the melted butter then stir to combine. Allow to simmer over low heat for 2 minutes. Butter will have a deeper yellowish color. Use a spoon to remove or skim the foam from the surface of butter. Continue to stir butter under low heat for more minutes. Turn off the heat source and let butter cool. You can strain the butter or leave the spices in the butter. Store in the fridge or freezer until needed. Note not straining the butter can cause the butter to go bad due to ingredients such as onions left in butter so use what is needed and store the rest away in the freezer to last longer. Use in beef tibs, or any Ethiopian Dishes. This butter is delicious on bread, bagels, corn and great for charcuterie butter board. 

Ethiopian Beef tibs with Ethiopian Spiced butter

Ingredients

¼ cup olive oil or vegetable oil (or any neutral oil is fine)

1-pound Beef Tenderloin or Chicken breast or boneless chicken thighs (cubed)

1 roma tomatoes (seeds removed) (chopped)

1 onion (Chopped)

1 green chilies

4 cloves garlic (minced)

1 teaspoon ginger (minced) (optional)

4 teaspoons Afromeals Ethiopian Berbere

4 teaspoons Ethiopian spiced butter

¼ cup beef broth

½ tsp knorr chicken bouillon powder(optional)

½ tsp salt

Cut up beef into 1–2-inch strips or can be cubed. Season with salt and optional chicken bouillon, 2 teaspoons Ethiopian Berbere, optional ginger and drizzle oil. Mix the Beef with the seasonings and allow to marinate in a bowl for about 10 to 30 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator. In a medium size pan over medium heat up the 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon of Ethiopian spiced butter. Allow oil and butter to heat up over medium high heat then place your beef. Sear beef until it browns, 2 minutes on each side. Add onion, allow it to Sauté for 30 seconds or until translucent. Add garlic, tomatoes and green chilis then stir to combine. Allow to cook for 5 minutes until tomatoes cook down a bit, slightly tender. Add 2 teaspoons of Berbere and stir to combine. Add ¼ cup beef broth then add 1 teaspoon Ethiopian spiced butter. Stir to combine. Allow to cook for another 2 minutes. Taste and adjust with a little more berbere and salt if needed. Serve with injera bread (Ethiopian flat bread) or rice or baked potatoes.