If you prefer foods cooked with passion, Pakistani foods are for you. These delicious and aromatic dishes are out of this world and full of soul.
Pakistan’s food is as diverse as the land from which it comes.
With influences from India, Iran, Afghanistan and Western culture, there is much to love.
From rich, sweet yogurt drinks to salty, spicy curries, there’s something for everyone.
Are you ready to take your taste buds on a tour of Pakistan? I’ve put together a list of 23 of my absolute favorite Pakistani recipes for you to try.
1. Kaali
Daal (black lentils) Kaali daal
is abundant, comforting and tasty. In other words, it’s everything you love for a hearty dish.
Spiced lentils are served with aromatic tadka, and are good until the last bite. This tadka has spices, onion and garlic sautéed in oil to elevate the flavor.
Daal is a dish to love in many ways. Serve with tasty spiced skewers or rice for a vegetarian dinner.
Arabic numeral. Nihari (Pakistani meat
stew)
Meat stew is a staple for dinner in cultures around the world. Without a doubt in Pakistan, this dish is full of spices and soul.
The level of flavor
that comes from the aromatics in this stew is the next level
.
The tender meat is cooked in a spicy broth, then thickened with flour and yogurt
.
This creamy, thick stew is best served with hot naan or white rice
.
For best flavor, let the nihari marinate for hours before enjoying it
.
3. Lassi (yogurt drink
) The simplest version of lassi is
ice, water and mixed Greek yogurt
.
This recipe has a couple of secret ingredients to make it even better than the original
.
Making lassi at home is quite simple. For this recipe, mix whipped cream, Greek yogurt, ice, milk and sugar.
This cold and creamy drink is perfect for cutting off summer heat or spicy dishes. You can also add some fruit or tarragon to add flavor.
4. Doodh Patti Chai (Authentic Pakistani Chai)
Skip Starbucks chai latte
, as this authentic chai will blow your mind
.
Making your own chai at home brings the joy of serving delicious dishes beyond a simple drink
.
Start with black tea and cardamom over low heat before
adding milk.
After adding the milk, it will bubble and foam. You should let it simmer for a few minutes to give it flavor.
The best chai is enjoyed with good company and lots of laughter
.
5. Pakistani Pakora
Western culture may believe that potato chips are
pub staples, but in Pakistan, they are much
more. Crispy fries
are shared with the people you love most! Chopped potatoes
are mixed with chilies, onions and a dough before being fried
.
Be sure to heat a large amount of oil in your wok to allow the pakora to move while frying.
The flavors of this pakora served with chutney will make you dancing with joy!
6. Pakistani Seekh Kebab (Ground beef skewers) Beef kebabs
are a staple of Pakistani culture. I have learned that the key to great kebabs is passion and good spices.
Ground beef is extensively flavored with herbs, spices and aromatics before cooking. Whether grilled, fried or baked, they are delicious.
Complete your kebab meal with naan, rice and a little bit of fresh cucumber.
7. Keema Naan (
flatbread)
Cooking authentic Pakistani food is everything for naan if you don’t have delicious naan bread. This recipe is more than
flatbread!
Fill the flatbread with seasoned minced meat and bake to perfection. Imagine a kebab inside naan. Absolutely delicious.
This is an easy lunch to serve as it is a full meal in one!
8. Pakistani chicken karahi
If you’ve ever tried Pakistani foods, you know they’re fragrant and tasty beyond belief. This chicken is no exception to that rule!
The rich whole chicken is cooked in an acidic base of tomato masala. The chicken comes out moist and tender, and deliciously seasoned.
Because this is a “dry” curry, it is better served with naan instead of rice
. 9. Pakistani
Chicken Biryani
This chicken biryani is probably my favorite Pakistani dinner to make. It’s simple, tasty and ultra comforting.
This recipe has plenty of creamy sauce with spices, tender chicken and potatoes on a bed of seasoned rice.
If that’s not enough, everything is cooked in a pan for easy cleaning!
Wait to stir the rice in the sauce until it is ready to serve. This way, you’ll have perfectly soft rice and plenty of flavor!
10. Paratha Paratha
is
similar to naan in that it is a flatbread. But instead of baking it, you’ll fry it with lots of ghee.
This tasty bread is the perfect accompaniment to meals throughout the day. The dough is made only with flour, oil and water.
Combine this paratha with eggs and a cup of chai and you have the best Pakistani breakfast
. 11. Halwa
Puri Halwa puri
is similar to a bread pudding, served with puffy bread. It is sweet, comforting and an authentic Pakistani dish.
Halwa is made with semolina, butter, sugar, dried fruits and nuts. Serve with hot fried puri, and you’ll have a sweet and savory snack!
Halwa puri can be served for breakfast, afternoon chai or even evening snacks.
12. Lamb Korma
If you want to wow the crowd with an authentic Pakistani dish, make this korma! The lamb simmered in a rich curry is impressively delicious.
Look for high-quality cuts of lamb or lamb at a local butcher to make the best korma.
The meat will be stewed in a spicy curry that has a lot of heat and flavor.
Serve your korma with sliced almonds, steamed basmati rice and lots of smiles!
13. Dal Tadka
I like easy recipes that take me on tour all over the world. This dal is one of my favorite Pakistani dishes for exotic cuisine.
In short, dal tadka is a
spicy split pea base with warm onions. It’s loaded with spices and is so easy to make in your own kitchen! Serve your dal tadka
with
a main course, or enjoy picking up bites with naan
.
14. Sarson Ka Saag (mustard greens and spinach curry) Mustard greens and spinach
have never tasted so good. Seriously, you’ll want a second serving of vegetables with this saag.
Take your Instant Pot and stack the saag ingredients before mashing. You will add an onion tadka and ghee (tempered) before serving.
You can enjoy this saag as a main course with naan. Or, roast some juicy kebabs and enjoy it all together!
15
. Chapli Kabab
Chapli kabab is Pakistani kebab meat crushed before cooking. Imagine juicy minced meat seasoned in the form of a hamburger.
Roasting fresh spices before grinding elevates the fragrance and flavor of the
kebab. Let the meat
sit with the spices deeply marinate the meat before cooking
.
Serve your fried kebab burgers with hot naan and fresh chutney. Simple salty kebabs are out of this world.
16. Balochi Chicken Sajji
If you want a roast chicken loaded with flavor
, chicken sajji is the recipe for you! Aside from the marinade and a whole chicken, the sajji is made with love!
Let your chicken brine for at least five hours before preparing to bake.
The
sajji marinade is
made with fresh spices, ginger, garlic, chili peppers and lemon juice
.
Bake your low, slow chicken to get the juiciest poultry possible
.
17. Chana Chaat
Snacking is an essential part of any culture. This chaat chana has sweetness, flavor and salinity that makes it delicious at any time of the day.
The basis of this recipe are chickpeas, red onions, tomatoes and potatoes
.
The ingredients are combined with a spicy chutney, chaat masala and cilantro
.
Enjoy hot or cold chana chaat, either way, it’s delicious!
18. Pakistani-style ginger chicken
If you’re cooking Pakistani food, expect fragrant spices and delicious sauces. This ginger chicken is well seasoned, creamy and delicious.
Onion,
ginger, garlic and chili peppers give chicken and masala a great flavor
.
Turmeric and chili powder add depth to aromatics, and yogurt reduces heat
.
This tender chicken is so easy to make and is delicious with rice or naan
.
19. Aloo Baingan (eggplant/eggplant and potato
curry)
Vegan curry is a staple in my house for meatless Mondays. Bold spices and tender vegetables are satisfying, nourishing and easy to prepare.
Eggplant and potatoes are cooked on a base of tasty and sour masala.
There’s no yogurt in this curry, but if you need to cut the flavors, feel free to add a little.
I prefer to serve this aloo baingan with naan and eat with my hands.
There is a satisfaction that comes with picking the hot vegetables and the sauce with freshly baked naan.
20. Gajar Ka
Halwa
Halwa is an authentic Pakistani dessert that is easy to make. The comforting flavors and warm texture of the pudding are like a hug from the inside!
This halwa is made with sweet carrots, milk, ghee, sugar and cardamom
.
Combine the ingredients in a pot and stir until it has a mashed potato consistency.
When serving, sprinkle chopped pistachios on top so they are full of color and crispy. The resulting dessert is sweet, spicy and perfect for company.
21. Zarda Rice (Meethe Chawal)
If you’re familiar with Asian cuisine, you know that rice isn’t just used for savory dishes. This zarda rice is a classic dessert and can be easily customized.
The rice is sweetened with ghee, cardamom and clove syrup. Top your sweet rice with dried fruits, nuts and seeds.
This simple recipe is a delicious Pakistani dessert that you will love
.
22
. Falooda
Whether you call it a drink or a dessert parfait, falooda is out of this world
.
It’s worth noting that there are so many layers of flavor in this delicious recipe
. Falooda
requires some special ingredients that you may need to order if you don’t have a South Asian market
. Falooda sev, basil seeds and
rooh afza syrup are key to falooda flavors
.
Place the syrup in layers, noodles, basil seeds and gelatin between scoops of vanilla ice cream
.
23. Mango Lassi Mango lassi
is growing in popularity in Western culture. The creamy, sour and mild flavors are a delicious end to any Pakistani meal.
There are two mango components in this recipe: pulp and frozen ripe mango pieces.
The fruit is mixed with ice, whole milk, plain yogurt and sugar.
You may want to finish the drink with a pinch of cardamom for a sweet, spicy drink.
