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Authentic Niter Kibbeh (Ethiopian Spiced Clarified Butter)
5 from 133 votes

Authentic Niter Kibbeh (Ethiopian Spiced Clarified Butter)

Authentic Niter Kibbeh is a spiced clarified butter infused with Ethiopian whole and ground spices, including cinnamon, cardamom, fenugreek, and turmeric. The slow, gentle simmering extracts aroma and flavor from the spices into the butter without burning, resulting in a fragrant cooking fat essential in Ethiopian cuisine and beyond.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
Servings: 2 cups
Calories: 67 kcal
Course: Condiments
Cuisine: Ethiopian

Ingredients

  • 1 pound unsalted butter cubed
  • 1/4 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 3 tablespoons garlic minced, fresh
  • 2 tablespoons ginger fresh, minced
  • 1 cinnamon stick 2-inch
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns whole
  • 3 black cardamom pods (not the green cardamom variety)
  • 3 clove whole
  • 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
  • 1 teaspoons coriander seeds
  • 1 teaspoon oregano dried
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon Turmeric ground
  • 1 tablespoon besobela ,if you can find it, otherwise omit (see blog post)
  • 1 tablespoon kosseret ,if you can find it, otherwise omit (see blog post)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Toast the whole spices over medium heat in a dry skillet for a few minutes until very fragrant.  Be careful not to scorch the spices or they will become bitter.  Set aside.
  2. Place all the ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring it to an extremely low simmer.  Continue to simmer over low for at least one hour or up to 90 minutes.  BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO BURN THE BUTTER.  If it burns it will be bitter and there is no salvaging it.
  3. Pour everything through a fine-mesh cheesecloth.  (No need to skim off the foam, everything will be removed during straining.) Pour the niter kibbeh into a jar, let it cool, and cover so that it is airtight.  It will keep at room temperature for several weeks, in the fridge for a few months, and even longer in the freezer (it will be hard in the fridge and freezer, let it come to room temp for easy scooping).  Makes about 2 cups.

Nutrition Information

Serving 2teaspoons Calories 67kcal (3%) Carbohydrates 12g (4%) Protein 2g (4%) Sodium 12mg (1%) Potassium 140mg (3%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin C 5.9mg (7%) Calcium 66mg (7%) Iron 2.5mg (14%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 2 cups

Amount Per Serving

Calories 67

% Daily Value*

Serving 2teaspoons
Calories 67kcal 3%
Carbohydrates 12g 4%
Protein 2g 4%
Sodium 12mg 1%
Potassium 140mg 3%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin C 5.9mg 7%
Calcium 66mg 7%
Iron 2.5mg 14%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.