Ethiopian Spiced Butter Niter Kibbeh
Transform your cooking with the rich, aromatic flavors of Ethiopian Spiced Butter, Niter Kibbeh—a staple in Ethiopian cuisine that elevates any dish with its warm, earthy spices. This golden, clarified butter is infused with a symphony of delicately balanced ingredients, including cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, fenugreek seeds, and turmeric, along with fresh ginger, garlic, and onion for a deeply complex aroma. Perfect for enhancing lentils, stews, curries, or sautéed vegetables, this infused butter is a versatile, make-ahead condiment that can be stored for weeks. With just 10 minutes of prep and simple slow-cooking techniques, you can transform your kitchen with the bold, authentic flavors of Ethiopia.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound unsalted butter
- 1 medium (finely diced) yellow onion
- 4 whole (crushed) garlic cloves
- 3 tablespoons (grated) fresh ginger
- 6 pods (crushed) cardamom pods
- 1 stick cinnamon stick
- 4 cloves whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 pinch (freshly grated) nutmeg
Instructions
In a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Allow the butter to fully liquefy but avoid letting it come to a boil.
As the butter begins to melt, skim off the white foam that rises to the surface using a spoon, ensuring the butter remains clear. Discard the foam.
Once the butter has clarified, add the diced onion, crushed garlic cloves, grated ginger, crushed cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, whole cloves, fenugreek seeds, turmeric powder, and freshly grated nutmeg.
Stir the mixture gently to combine the spices and aromatics with the butter. Cook over low heat for 30–40 minutes, ensuring the butter does not boil. This allows the flavors to infuse fully.
Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean, heatproof container, discarding the solids. Your Niter Kibbeh should be golden in color and aromatic.
Let the Niter Kibbeh cool completely at room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container for storage.
Use the spiced butter immediately, or store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 month or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
212 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 23.1 g | 30% | |
| Saturated Fat | 14.6 g | 73% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 62 mg | 21% | |
| Sodium | 3 mg | 0% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 1.8 g | 1% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.5 g | 2% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.3 g | ||
| Protein | 0.5 g | 1% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 14 mg | 1% | |
| Iron | 0.2 mg | 1% | |
| Potassium | 33 mg | 1% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
