Niter Kibbeh

Name: Niter Kibbeh
Cook time: 5 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes, plus rest
Yield: Makes about ¾ cup
Ingredients: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened; 1 Tbsp. koseret; 1 (½" piece) ginger, peeled, finely chopped; 1 garlic clove, finely chopped; 1 (2" piece) cinnamon stick; 2 tsp. beso bela (Ethiopian sacred basil); 1 tsp. fenugreek; ¾ tsp. korerima (Ethiopian cardamom seeds); ½ tsp. nigella seeds; ½ tsp. cumin seeds; ¼ tsp. black peppercorns

By Cheryl Slocum

February 1, 2021

Photo of tofu and collards on a marble countertop.

Photo by Andrew Purcell, Food Styling by Carrie Purcell

Niter Kibbeh is an infused clarified butter that is a cornerstone in Ethiopian cooking. Spices and herbs native to the region give it its unique flavor and aroma. In addition to its use in traditional Ethiopian dishes, you can melt a bit over steamed vegetables, use it to baste a roast chicken, fry or scramble eggs in it, or mix into cooked rice or couscous. It's an essential part of this sheet-pan dinner with crispy tofu and collard greens.

Recipe notes

See Related Recipes and Cooking Tips

The Path to Niter Kibbeh Starts With Herbs and Spices
It's the backbone of Ethiopian cooking, and you can make it a thousand different ways. But for the truest, best niter kibbeh, you need to order a few signature ingredients (or get them from a saint of a chef).

Fufu

Fufu is a dish that has been passed down through many generations and is seen as a symbol of Ghanaian identity and heritage. Making fufu traditionally is a very laborious task; this recipe mimics some of that hard work but with a few home-cook hacks that make for a far easier time.

Smoky Tofu Shakshuka

This vegan version of the classic North African scramble uses soft silken tofu instead of eggs without any sacrifice of flavor.

Grape Dumplings

Native American people made these with cornmeal dumplings, simmering them with wild grapes, which were harvested at their peak sweetness.

Rotisserie Chicken Congee

Leftover rotisserie chicken finds new purpose in this endlessly comforting dish.

Pan-Fried Turmeric Bread (Kubez Kimaaj)

Kubez bread, a.k.a. kimaaj, is an Arabic flatbread or pita bread. It’s a staple in the Middle East used as an accompaniment for various dishes or as a wrap.

Ta’ameya (Fava Bean Fritters)

Serve these as you would falafel: in a pita, on top of a salad, or as a snack with a dip.

Île Flottante

Originally called omelette à la neige (snow omelet) in reference to the fluffy snow-like appearance of the meringue, île flottante (floating island) has a lengthy history that dates back to the 17th century.

Dulce de Leche

Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.

Recipe notes

The Path to Niter Kibbeh Starts With Herbs and Spices