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Pakistani Family Meals Clear all

68 recipes

A karahi of keema karela with browned bitter gourd pieces in spiced beef mince, topped with coriander and gingerPakistani

Keema Karela

Salted and browned bitter gourd cooked into a savoury beef mince masala with onions and tomatoes. The keema softens the bitterness, so it suits both karela lovers and doubters.

1 h 20 minServes 4
Pot of matar keema with beef mince and green peas, garnished with coriander and ginger, served with rotiPakistani

Matar Keema

A dry-style everyday keema where sweet green peas cook into browned, well-spiced beef mince. Quick enough for a weeknight and perfect with hot roti.

1 h 5 minServes 4
A pot of aloo keema with minced beef and potato cubes in thick masala, topped with coriander and ginger, served with roti and raitaPakistani

Aloo Keema

A everyday Pakistani dinner of minced beef and soft potato cubes in a thick, spiced tomato-onion masala. It is quick to make and tastes best with hot roti.

1 hServes 4
Halved nargisi koftas showing boiled egg centres in a glossy orange-brown gravy, garnished with green chillies and gingerPakistani

Nargisi Kofta

Soft boiled eggs wrapped in spiced beef mince, browned, then simmered in a smooth yogurt and fried-onion gravy. It looks impressive on the table and suits Sunday dinners or guests.

1 h 30 minServes 6
A pot of Pakistani kofta curry with beef meatballs in red tomato gravy, garnished with coriander, ginger and green chilliesPakistani

Kofta Curry

Tender spiced beef meatballs simmered in a smooth tomato and onion gravy. It is a family dinner staple that is easy to make ahead and tastes even better the next day.

1 h 15 minServes 6
Bowl of Pakistani paya with tender trotters in a glossy spiced gravy, garnished with ginger, green chillies and coriander, served with naan and lemon.Pakistani

Paya

Goat trotters simmered with onions, yogurt and whole spices until the gravy turns silky and the meat slips off the bone. A classic weekend breakfast to eat with naan.

2 h 50 minServes 6
Bowl of beef haleem topped with fried onions, ginger, green chillies, fresh herbs and a lemon wedgePakistani

Beef Haleem

A thick, slow-simmered porridge of tender beef, wheat and mixed daals, finished with fried onions, ginger and lemon. Cook a big pot for family dinners or gatherings.

4 hServes 8
A copper pot of mutton korma with thick golden-brown gravy, garnished with ginger and coriander, served with naanPakistani

Mutton Korma

Tender bone-in mutton simmered in a rich gravy of browned onions, yogurt, whole spices and ground almonds. A special-occasion curry that is mild, creamy and deeply savoury.

2 h 15 minServes 6
A pot of bhindi gosht with mutton pieces and green okra in a thick red-brown gravy, served with rotiPakistani

Bhindi Gosht

Tender bone-in mutton simmered in an onion and tomato masala, finished with pan-fried okra that stays whole and never turns slimy. A hearty dinner curry to eat with roti.

1 h 50 minServes 6
A pot of dark green Palak Gosht with pieces of mutton, topped with ginger matchsticks, served with roti and lemon wedgesPakistani

Palak Gosht

Tender bone-in mutton simmered in a slow-cooked onion and tomato masala, then finished with a bright spinach purée. A rich, deep green curry for roti or rice.

2 h 5 minServes 6
A pot of Pakistani daal gosht with mutton pieces, garnished with coriander, ginger and garlic tarka, served with rotiPakistani

Daal Gosht

Tender bone-in mutton simmered with chana daal in a well-browned onion and yogurt masala, finished with a sizzling garlic and cumin tarka. A hearty one-pot dinner for roti or rice.

1 h 40 minServes 6
A pot of Pakistani aloo gosht with mutton pieces and potatoes in a rich red-brown gravy, garnished with coriander and ginger, served with roti.Pakistani

Aloo Gosht

A everyday Pakistani home curry of bone-in mutton and soft potatoes in a golden onion and tomato gravy. It is comforting, filling and best scooped up with fresh roti.

2 h 15 minServes 6
A copper pot of achar gosht, mutton curry in a rich red-brown gravy topped with green chillies, ginger and coriander, served with roti.Pakistani

Achar Gosht

A tangy, deeply spiced mutton curry built on yogurt, fennel, nigella and mustard seeds, the flavours of a jar of mixed pickle. Good with hot roti or plain rice.

2 h 5 minServes 6
A karahi of mutton in a thick red tomato masala, garnished with ginger, green chillies and fresh coriander, served with naan.Pakistani

Mutton Karahi

A tomato-rich, Lahori-style mutton karahi cooked slowly in its own juices until tender, then finished on high heat until the oil shines. Serve it straight from the pan with hot naan.

1 h 55 minServes 4
A karahi of glossy Shinwari lamb karahi topped with green chillies, ginger and coriander, served with naan and lemon.Pakistani

Shinwari Lamb Karahi

A simple, meat-forward lamb karahi in the Peshawari Shinwari style, cooked in its own fat with tomatoes, green chillies and black pepper. Rich, glossy and ready in about an hour and a half.

1 h 30 minServes 6
A karahi of creamy white chicken curry garnished with ginger strips, green chillies and fresh coriander, served with naanPakistani

White Chicken Karahi

A creamy, mild karahi made with yogurt, cashew paste, white pepper and green chillies. It's rich but gentle, and it's a good choice when you want something different from the usual red tomato karahi.

55 minServes 4
A pot of creamy golden chicken korma garnished with coriander and green chillies, served with naan and basmati rice.Pakistani

Chicken Korma

A mild, creamy Pakistani chicken korma built on yogurt, golden fried onions and ground almonds. It is rich but gentle, so it suits family dinners and guests.

1 h 25 minServes 6
A pan of chicken jalfrezi with red and green peppers, onion wedges and fresh ginger in a thick tomato masalaPakistani

Chicken Jalfrezi

A quick, thick-sauced chicken stir-fry with crisp-tender peppers, onion wedges and fresh ginger. It's bright, lightly tangy and ready in under an hour.

1 hServes 4
A clay handi of creamy chicken curry garnished with ginger, green chillies and coriander, served with naanPakistani

Chicken Handi

Tender bone-in chicken simmered in a silky onion, tomato and yogurt gravy, then finished with cream and kasuri methi. A mild, rich curry that's ideal with fresh naan.

1 h 10 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