Kitfo

Name: Kitfo
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Ethiopian
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs lean ground beef; 4 tbsp niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter); 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1/2 tsp mitmita spice powder (or cayenne pepper); 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 2 tbsp fresh lime juice; 4 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

Traditional Ethiopian appetizer of finely minced raw beef mixed with spiced clarified butter, ginger, and herbs. Tender and bold. WARNING: Raw beef carries serious food safety risks. Source only from a trusted butcher with strict food safety standards. Grind immediately before service. Consume immediately. NOT safe for pregnant women, children, elderly, or immunocompromised persons.

15 minEasyServes 4380 cal/serving

EthiopianAppetizerNo-CookStandard

Ingredients

1.5 lbs lean ground beef
4 tbsp niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter)
1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp mitmita spice powder (or cayenne pepper)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
4 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

1

CRITICAL SAFETY: Raw beef carries risk of E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. This recipe is NOT safe for pregnant women, children, elderly, or immunocompromised persons.
2

Source the 1.5 lbs lean ground beef only from a trusted butcher with documented food safety practices. Request freshly ground beef from a single batch, ground immediately before purchase.
3

Grind or mince the 1.5 lbs lean ground beef IMMEDIATELY before preparation - never use pre-ground meat. If not grinding yourself, prepare within 15 minutes of grinding.
4

Work quickly. Place the freshly minced meat in a chilled mixing bowl.
5

Add the warm 4 tbsp niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter) to the meat.
6

Add 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp mitmita spice powder (or cayenne pepper), 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
7

Fold gently to combine, being careful not to overwork the meat.
8

Add 2 tbsp fresh lime juice and fold gently once more.
9

Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with 4 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro.
10

Serve and consume immediately. Do not store or reheat raw beef.

Questions

Can I make Kitfo dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in this entry is 4 tbsp niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter). Swap the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

How long does Kitfo keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. It is served cold; there is nothing to reheat.

Can I halve or double Kitfo?

Yes. As written it serves 4. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. There is no cooking pitfall here; the quantities simply scale.

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