Vegan Niter Kibbeh (Ethiopian Spiced Oil)

Niter Kibbeh (Nit’r qibe) is a spiced, clarified butter that builds wonderful taste in Ethiopian dishes like shiro and doro wat. This vegan Niter Kibbeh is made with olive oil and it isn’t solely simply as flavorful however it’s additionally more healthy!

Vegan niter kibbeh in glass jar with spices scattered around.

Desk of Contents

Table of Contents

What’s Niter Kibbeh?

Niter kibbeh is an fragrant spice- and herb-infused butter that provides to the attract of Ethiopian delicacies. It’s made by heating butter, very like you’d make ghee, however the butter is infused with a bunch of spices and herbs.

In Ethiopian and Eritrean delicacies you’ll typically discover this spiced butter getting used alongside spice mixes like berbere and mekelesha. Similar to these blends, it’s addictively fragrant and fairly indispensable if you’d like an genuine Ethiopian meals expertise.

Studying the right way to make niter kibbeh is crucial if you wish to cook dinner genuine tasting Ethiopian meals. I really like the aroma and taste it provides to dishes like this vegan doro wot and shiro, a stew I’ll share with you subsequent. However you too can use it so as to add spice and taste to only about any curry or soup or stew.

Components

Additional virgin olive oil or any impartial vegetable oil, together with 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.

Vegan nitter kibbeh in glass jar with cloves, cinnamon and cardamom scattered around.

Storage directions

Retailer the vegan niter kibbeh in an hermetic container or jar in a cool, darkish spot for a number of weeks at room temperature. For longer storage hold it within the fridge. You can even retailer the oil within the freezer.

Useful suggestions

In Ethiopia, an genuine niter kibbeh would come with two herbs, koseret and besobela (an herb associated to holy basil). I did not add these as a result of they will not be simply accessible to everybody. They’re obtainable on-line so in case you can supply them, add a teaspoon of every together with the opposite spices.
Do not rush the niter kibbeh by turning up the warmth. The spices want time to infuse their taste into the oil.
Add turmeric solely within the final 5 minutes. Powdered spices burn shortly in sizzling oil, so do not simmer it too lengthy.
Do not throw away these great spices after straining them. Retailer them within the fridge and use them in spice pastes for curries and stews.

Recipe FAQs

Can I exploit vegan butter to make niter kibbeh?

You possibly can, however you do not actually get a lot of a profit as a result of vegan butter will not style or carry out like dairy butter and additionally, you will be utilizing a extremely processed product. Olive oil provides wonderful taste and it’s a lot better for you.

Can I skip a spice or two if I haven’t got them?

Attempt to use all of them if doable, but when you do not have one or two it will not wreck your niter kibbeh.

What else can I exploit niter kibbeh for?

As great as niter kibbeh is in Ethiopian stews, you should use it as a condiment to boost practically any recipe. Use it as a marinade for tofu or tempeh, use it so as to add taste to roasted veggies, drizzle it over pasta or rice dishes, dip a crusty hunk of bread in it, or use it as a salad dressing, amongst many prospects.

Extra vegan oils and condiments

Vegan nitter kibbeh in glass jar with spices scattered around it.

Should you cherished this niter kibbeh recipe, try extra of our how-to recipes on Holy Cow Vegan!