What is Niter Kibbeh?
Niter kibbeh is an aromatic spice- and herb-infused butter that adds to the allure of Ethiopian cuisine. It is made by heating butter, much like you’d make ghee, but the butter is infused with a bunch of spices and herbs. In Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine you will often find this spiced butter being used alongside spice mixes like berbere and mekelesha. Just like these blends, it is addictively aromatic and quite indispensable if you want an authentic Ethiopian food experience. Learning how to make niter kibbeh is essential if you want to cook authentic tasting Ethiopian food. I love the aroma and flavor it adds to dishes like vegan doro wot, Ethiopian lentil stew, shiro wot and tikil gomen, a spiced cabbage-potato dish. But you can also use it to add spice and flavor to just about any curry or soup or stew.
Ingredients
Extra virgin olive oil or any neutral vegetable oil, including grape seed oil, avocado oil, sunflower oil or safflower oil. Spices: Black or brown cardamom, black peppercorns, allspice berries, nutmeg, turmeric, cinnamon sticks, cloves, fenugreek seeds, coriander seeds and cumin seeds. Herbs: Onion, garlic and ginger.
Storage instructions
Store the vegan niter kibbeh in an airtight container or jar in a cool, dark spot for several weeks at room temperature. For longer storage keep it in the fridge. You can also store the oil in the freezer.
Helpful tips
In Ethiopia, an authentic niter kibbeh would include two herbs, koseret and besobela (an herb related to holy basil). I didn’t add these because they may not be easily accessible to everyone. They are available online so if you can source them, add a teaspoon of each along with the other spices. Don’t rush the niter kibbeh by turning up the heat. The spices need time to infuse their flavor into the oil. Add turmeric only in the last five minutes. Powdered spices burn quickly in hot oil, so don’t simmer it too long. Don’t throw away those wonderful spices after straining them. Store them in the refrigerator and use them in spice pastes for curries and stews.
More vegan oils and condiments
If you loved this niter kibbeh recipe, check out more of our how-to recipes on Holy Cow Vegan! Check to get new recipe updates by email.
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