Vegan Niter Kibbeh (Ethiopian spiced butter)

Prepare this vegan niter kibbeh (Ethiopian spiced butter) recipe to have on hand for making Ethiopian collard greens and other flavor infused dishes. I’m in love with this spiced butter – it smells and tastes sooooo good! This recipe makes about a cup, and it keeps well in the refrigerator.

As a reminder, spices are the roots, bark, and seeds of various plants. They contain a variety of nutrients, phytonutrients and properties – so including plenty of spices (and herbs) into your diet adds health benefits as well as adding to your culinary pleasure. Recipes that are spiced with a heavy hand (all Ethiopian recipes) contain a boost of flavor and nutrients.

Method Overview

• Melt vegan butter with onions, garlic, ginger
• Pan-toast spices
• Add spices to butter and let them infuse over low heat
• Strain veggies and spices; pour into jar and refrigerate

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4.93 from 14 votes

Vegan Niter Kibbeh (Ethiopian Spiced Butter)

Recipe makes about 1 cup

Course: condiment

Cuisine: Ethiopian

Keyword: plant based, vegan

Servings: 1 cup

Author: Judy DeLorenzo

Equipment

• small cast iron skillet, or other heavy bottomed skillet
• small saucepan (or double boiler)
• fine-mesh strainer and cheesecloth

Ingredients

• 8 ounces vegan butter, such as Miyoko's Cultured Vegan Butter
• 1/4 cup chopped yellow onion
• 2 Tablespoons minced garlic cloves
• 2 Tablespoons minced ginger root

Spices

• 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
• 1 cinnamon stick (Ceylon cinnamon if possible)
• 3 whole cloves
• 3 black cardamom pods, such as Spicely Organics brand

Instructions

• In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat with the onions, garlic, and ginger root.
• In the meantime, warm up a dry cast iron skillet, or other heavy-bottomed skillet, over low heat. Add the spices and raise the heat to medium-high. Toast the spices, constantly stirring, for a couple of minutes or until they start to become fragrant.
• Add the toasted spices to the pan with the melted butter and stir. Allow the spices to infuse into the butter, over low heat, for about an hour. You want the butter to be good and warm, but no need to simmer.
• Line a fine mesh strainer with cheese cloth and set it over a small bowl. Pour the butter into the cheesecloth lined strainer so that it drains into the bowl. Squeeze the cheesecloth to wring out all of the spiced butter.
• Pour the spiced butter into a half-pint mason jar and cap. Store it in the refrigerator.

Notes

• If necessary, refined coconut oil or olive oil can be used in place of vegan butter.
• As an alternative, use a double boiler for infusing the spices into the butter.