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Food & Dining

What is kitfo?

Kitfo is minced beef seasoned with mitmita and spiced butter, served rare, warm, or cooked. Here is what it is and how to order it.

By TiruListUpdated 2 min read

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Bowls of minced kitfo, red sauce and fresh cheese laid out with rolls of injera
A kitfo spread, with injera rolled at the side. Photo: Vipon8, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Kitfo is finely minced beef, gently warmed and seasoned with mitmita and niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter). It is rich, tender, and a favorite comfort dish.

How it is served

Kitfo can be served leb leb (lightly warmed and rare), tere (raw), or fully cooked, so you can choose your comfort level. It often comes with ayib (a mild fresh cheese), gomen (greens), and injera or kocho.

Two plates seen from above: rolled injera on one and mutton tibs with onions and peppers on the other
Mutton tibs with injera. Photo: ShanaliCT, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Colorful food plate with wine glass, cultural art in background at Das Ethiopian
At Das Ethiopian, on TiruList. Photo from the business.

Frequently asked

Is kitfo raw?

It can be raw or lightly warmed, but you can ask for it cooked. Tell your server how you would like it.

What comes with kitfo?

Commonly ayib (fresh cheese) and gomen (collard greens), with injera or kocho to scoop.

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