Skip to content
Anda shami burger with a golden shami patty, fried egg, fresh salad and chilli mayo in a toasted bun on a wooden board
Pakistani · Snacks

Anda Shami Burger

A street-style burger with a soft chicken and chana daal shami patty, a fried egg on top and a garlicky chilli mayo. Cook the patties ahead and finish in minutes.

Prep40 min
Cook45 min
Total1 h 25 min
Serves4
Difficulty
CuisinePakistani

Ingredients

4 servings

Equipment: Medium heavy-bottomed pot with lid, food processor or chopper, large frying pan or tawa, small bowl, spatula

Method

  1. Rinse the chana daal and soak it in plenty of cold water for 30 minutes. Drain well.

  2. Put the drained daal, chicken mince, quartered onion, 4 garlic cloves, ginger, dried chillies, cumin, coriander seeds, peppercorns, cardamom, cinnamon, salt and 400 ml water in a pot. Break up the mince with a spoon as it heats, and bring to a boil.

  3. Cover, lower the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring now and then, until the daal is soft enough to crush between your fingers and the chicken is cooked through (74°C inside). If any liquid remains, uncover and cook on higher heat until the pot is completely dry, stirring so it does not catch.

  4. Let the mixture cool for 10 minutes. Pick out the cinnamon stick and cardamom pods, then grind the rest in a food processor into a thick, slightly coarse paste. It should hold together when pressed.

  5. Mix in the raw egg, chopped coriander, green chilli and garam masala. With damp hands, shape into 4 patties about 10 cm wide and 1.5 cm thick, slightly wider than your buns.

  6. Heat 3 tbsp oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Fry the patties for 3 to 4 minutes per side, turning gently once, until deeply golden and crisp at the edges. Move them to a plate.

  7. Stir the mayonnaise, ketchup, grated garlic and chilli sauce together in a small bowl.

  8. Wipe the pan, add the remaining 1 tbsp oil and fry the 4 eggs over medium heat for about 3 minutes, until the whites are set and the edges are lacy. Season each with a pinch of salt. For a firm yolk, flip them and cook 30 seconds more.

  9. Split the buns and toast them cut-side down with the butter in the pan for about 1 minute, until light golden.

  10. Spread sauce on both halves of each bun. Layer lettuce, a shami patty, tomato, cucumber and onion rings, then top with a fried egg. Close the bun and serve straight away.

Cooking tips

  • Make sure the mixture is dry before grinding. Any leftover liquid makes the patties soft and they will break in the pan.
  • Chill the shaped patties for 15 minutes if the mixture feels sticky. They will hold their shape better when frying.
  • Grind in short pulses. A slightly coarse texture gives a better bite than a smooth paste.
  • Fry the patties over medium heat, not high, so the crust browns without burning before the centre is hot.

Substitutions

  • Use beef or mutton mince instead of chicken, and simmer 10 to 15 minutes longer until tender.
  • Swap chana daal for masoor daal if you want a softer, quicker-cooking patty, and reduce the simmering time to about 20 minutes.
  • Use plain yogurt mixed with a little mayonnaise if you prefer a lighter sauce.
  • Replace burger buns with soft dinner rolls or slices of milk bread.

Serve with

"Serve with masala fries, pickled green chillies and a cold glass of lassi or a chilled soft drink."

Storage

"Keep cooked patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 1 month with baking paper between them. Assemble the burgers fresh."

Reheating

"Reheat patties in a lightly oiled pan over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side until hot in the middle. Thaw frozen patties in the fridge overnight first. Fry the eggs fresh."

Nutrition per serving, estimated

640kcal
36 gProtein
54 gCarbs
30 gFat

Estimated from the ingredient list. Values vary with brands and portion size.

Related

You might also cook

Overhead view of chicken karahiPakistani

Chicken Karahi

Chicken cooked hard and fast in a wok-shaped karahi with tomatoes, green chilies and ginger. No onions, no cream, and ready in under an hour.

45 minServes 4
Overhead view of chicken biryaniPakistani

Chicken Biryani

Layers of long-grain basmati and a tangy, spiced chicken masala, steamed together until every grain stays separate. Made with potatoes and dried plums, the way many Karachi homes make it.

1 h 30 minServes 6
Overhead view of masala omelettePakistani

Masala Omelette

The dhaba-style omelette: eggs beaten with onion, tomato, green chili and coriander, cooked thin and folded.

10 minServes 1
Overhead view of chana chaatPakistani

Chana Chaat

Tangy chickpea salad with potato, onion, tomato and tamarind chutney. The iftar favourite that works any afternoon.

15 minServes 4
More from this cuisine

Pakistani kitchen

All Pakistani
Bowl of golden chicken corn soup with shredded chicken, corn kernels, egg ribbons and spring onionPakistani

Chicken Corn Soup

A thick, gently peppery soup of shredded chicken, sweet corn and silky egg ribbons, in the style of Pakistani Chinese restaurants. Easy to make at home on a cold evening.

55 minServes 4