Zilzil Tibs (Spicy Marinated Beef Strips)

Zilzil tibs is the dish Ethiopian restaurants use to show off. Zilzil means thin strips, and here beef is sliced into ribbons, marinated in berbere, garlic, and ginger, then seared fast and hot with onions and fresh peppers. The marinade does the heavy lifting, sinking deep into the meat so every strip is tinted red from the inside out, and the high heat finishes the job with a caramelized edge.

Tender strips with a serious berbere glow

A good soak makes the difference: the berbere flavors the beef all the way through, while the fast sear leaves the edges crisp and the centers tender. The onions and jalapeños soften alongside, adding sweetness and a fresh bite, and a squeeze of lemon at the end keeps the whole thing from feeling heavy. Serve it over injera with awaze for dipping — it is equally at home as a quick weeknight dinner or the centerpiece of a weekend spread, and it comes together in about as long as it takes to cook rice.

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