Niter Kibbeh
Discover the rich, aromatic essence of Ethiopian cuisine with Niter Kibbeh, a spiced clarified butter that elevates every dish it touches. Infused with a blend of warming spices like cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric, and cloves, along with fresh ginger and garlic, this golden butter is the secret ingredient behind authentic Ethiopian flavors. Perfect for stews, sautéed vegetables, and traditional dishes like Doro Wat, Niter Kibbeh brings depth and complexity to your cooking. With a straightforward preparation process that allows the spices to gently infuse the butter, this recipe yields a versatile, long-lasting condiment you can store in your fridge or freezer for months. Bring bold, vibrant tastes to your kitchen with this indispensable Ethiopian staple.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound Unsalted butter
- 1 small (finely chopped) Onion
- 3 large (crushed) Garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons (peeled and finely grated) Fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon Ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon Ground cardamom
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon Fenugreek seeds
- 0.25 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
- 4 pieces Whole cloves
- 6 pieces Whole black peppercorns
Instructions
Place the unsalted butter in a medium-sized saucepan over low heat.
Once the butter starts to melt, add the finely chopped onion, crushed garlic, and grated ginger to the pan.
Allow the butter to completely melt and come to a gentle simmer. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface using a spoon, ensuring the butter remains clear.
Add the turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, fenugreek seeds, nutmeg, whole cloves, and black peppercorns to the pan. Stir gently to combine the spices with the butter.
Continue to simmer the mixture over low heat for about 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the spices from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
The butter is ready when it appears clear and the milk solids have separated and settled at the bottom of the pan.
Carefully strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean, heatproof container. Discard the solids.
Allow the niter kibbeh to cool slightly before storing it in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 months or freeze for up to 6 months.
Use niter kibbeh as a cooking base in Ethiopian stews, vegetable dishes, or any recipe that calls for clarified butter.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3420 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 389.7 g | 500% | |
| Saturated Fat | 227.0 g | 1135% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1004 mg | 335% | |
| Sodium | 77 mg | 3% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 25.7 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.2 g | 19% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.7 g | ||
| Protein | 7.2 g | 14% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 188 mg | 14% | |
| Iron | 3.3 mg | 18% | |
| Potassium | 519 mg | 11% | |
*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.
