Everyday meals · Ethiopia

Awaze Tibs (Spicy Ethiopian Meat Stir-Fry)

Name: Awaze Tibs (Spicy Ethiopian Meat Stir-Fry)
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Ethiopia
Ingredients: 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

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.

Published October 16, 2026

EST. TOTAL TIME40 min

DIFFICULTYMedium

SERVESSee recipe

Time and difficulty are editorial estimates; allow extra time for your equipment and experience.

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What you’ll need

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Let’s make it

Step 1

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

Add the berbere spice, tomato paste, paprika, and cayenne pepper to the skillet. Stir well to coat the onions and garlic with the spices.

Step 5

Return the cooked meat to the skillet and toss it with the spiced onion mixture.

Step 6

Add the awaze sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, and salt to the skillet. Stir everything together to combine the flavors and coat the meat evenly.

Step 7

Continue to stir-fry for another 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the meat.

Step 8

Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with salt or additional spices according to your preference.

Step 9

Remove the skillet from the heat and garnish the with freshly chopped cilantro.

Awaze Tibs (Spicy Ethiopian Meat Stir-Fry)

What you’ll need

Let’s make it

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