Awaze Tibs (Spicy Ethiopian Meat Stir-Fry)
Awaze tibs is a flavorful and aromatic dish that showcases the vibrant spices of Ethiopian cuisine. This dish is made with tender pieces of meat, such as beef or lamb, stir-fried with a rich and spicy sauce known as awaze.
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1.5 pounds beef or lamb, thinly sliced
1 large onion, thinly sliced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tablespoons berbere spice
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 tablespoon awaze sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
Add the thinly sliced meat to the hot skillet and stir-fry for 3–4 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the cooked meat from the skillet and set it aside.
3–4 minutes
In the same skillet, add the sliced onion and minced garlic. Stir-fry for about 2–3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
2–3 minutes
Add the berbere spice, tomato paste, paprika, and cayenne pepper to the skillet. Stir well to coat the onions and garlic with the spices.
Return the cooked meat to the skillet and toss it with the spiced onion mixture.
Add the awaze sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, and salt to the skillet. Stir everything together to combine the flavors and coat the meat evenly.
Continue to stir-fry for another 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the meat.
2–3 minutes
Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with salt or additional spices according to your preference.
Remove the skillet from the heat and garnish the with freshly chopped cilantro.
- •Adjust the spiciness of the dish by adding more or less cayenne pepper and berbere spice, according to your taste preferences.
- •Awaze sauce can be found in Ethiopian grocery stores or made at home using a combination of spices and peppers.
- •Awaze tibs is traditionally served with injera, a sourdough flatbread that complements the spicy flavors of the dish. You can also serve it with rice or bread.
- •Serve the stir-fry with a side of fresh salad or steamed vegetables for a complete and balanced meal.
- •For a tender and flavorful meat, marinate it in the awaze sauce for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- •Stir-fry the ingredients on high heat for a shorter duration to retain the juiciness of the meat.
- •Add diced bell peppers, carrots, or other vegetables to the stir-fry for added color and texture.
- •Experiment with different protein options like chicken or tofu for a variation in flavors and dietary preferences.