Pakistani cuisine, while relatively young in its establishment (circa 73 years ago), boasts a rich culinary history deeply intertwined with the flavors of the broader region. Often compared to Indian cuisine due to geographical proximity - Lahore, Pakistan, and Amritsar, India, are only 31 miles apart - it also exhibits influences from Afghani cuisine. Renowned for its Moghul-inspired dishes like pulaos, biryanis, kababs, and kormas, Pakistani food offers a diverse range of flavors and culinary experiences.
This article compiles a variety of popular and traditional Pakistani recipes, highlighting both well-known favorites and some lesser-known gems.
Appetizers and Snacks
Samosas
Flavorful and extra crispy samosas are a beloved snack. The key is mastering the folding technique of the pastry sheet.
Dahi Bhalla
Dahi Bhalla, or Dahi Bara, are fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth lentil fritters served with yogurt. The recipe includes tips and tricks to ensure they are soft and fully cooked inside.
Shami Kebab
Shami kebab are tender patties made with beef and chana dal (yellow split peas). This recipe uses ground beef and a quick homemade or store-bought Shami Kabab Masala. They can be made in large batches and frozen for later.
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Seekh Kebab
A simple seekh kebab recipe made with readily available ingredients. The recipe includes tips on making flavorful, tender kebabs that don't break or fall off the skewers.
Chapli Kabab
A Chapli Kabab recipe that is simple, easy to make, and tastes like it’s from an Afghan or Pakistani restaurant. The recipe includes tips on how to get them crisp and juicy without breaking or falling apart.
Aloo Tikki
This Pakistani-style Aloo Tikki is made with mashed potatoes, onions, herbs, and spices.
Chicken Tikka Club Sandwich
A party-style Chicken Tikka Club Sandwich recipe with grilled bread, saucy, tikka-flavored chicken, and crisp veggies.
Chicken Mayo Sandwich
Inspired by Pakistani bakery sandwiches, these Chicken Mayo Sandwiches are creamy without being too mayo-heavy, thanks to a luscious sauce that’s creamy, savory, and tangy.
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Chicken Patties
Very authentic Pakistani bakery-style chicken patties. Freshly baked chicken patties right from the oven are a delight.
Raita (Yogurt Dip) Recipes
Vegetable Raita
A classic, simple Vegetable Raita recipe that’s balanced in salt, spices, and quantity of vegetables. It pairs perfectly with pulao, biryani, kababs, and much more.
Mint Raita
This Mint Raita recipe is the perfect condiment for biryani, kebabs, and so much more.
Vegetable Dishes
Sarson Ka Saag
This recipe teaches you how to make authentic Punjabi-style Sarson Ka Saag (Mustard Greens & Spinach Curry) at home. It includes stovetop and Instant Pot cooking instructions, plus substitutions if you can’t find mustard greens.
Palak Paneer
Palak Paneer, or Saag Paneer, is a restaurant-famous spinach and paneer curry. This recipe is crowd-pleasing with authentic flavor, easy to follow, requires one pan (if you skip pan-searing the paneer), and takes 50 minutes from start to finish!
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Rajma Masala
This is a one-pot, flavorful North Indian-style Rajma Masala recipe. This recipe transforms the humble red kidney bean into a creamy yet light, textured curry.
Aloo Baingan
This easy Aloo Baingan (Eggplant/Aubergine and Potato Curry) recipe is made with simple ingredients you likely have on hand. This is a Pakistani & North Indian-style vegan curry that's tasty enough to serve guests.
Matar Paneer
Matar Paneer is a North Indian dish with Peas (Matar) and Paneer in a rich, tomato-based curry. This recipe is easy-to-follow with nuanced, restaurant-style flavor and texture.
Maash ki Dal
Maash ki Dal, or sukhi (dry) split urad dal, may not be mainstream, but it's beloved by all who've tried it. This recipe makes it in the traditional Pakistani and Punjabi way - dry, as in firm, but cooked through - and adorned with delicate slivers of ginger and warming green chili peppers.
Kadhi
This classic Punjabi-style Kadhi recipe is easy-to-follow but delivers on homestyle flavor.
Baingan Bharta
Baingan Bharta is a prized Indian and Pakistani (Punjabi) dish consisting of roasted eggplant in a delicately spiced dry curry.
Mixed Vegetable Curry
Here’s a quick and easy Mixed Vegetable Curry recipe that’s perfect as a weeknight dinner or simple curried vegetable side dish. This Punjabi-style vegetable curry with potatoes and peas has become a community favorite!
Bhindi Fry
An easy, 15-minute Bhindi Fry with bold flavor and crispy, non-slimy okra. The secret? A handful of spices and high-heat pan-frying for a smoky, blistered finish.
Bhindi Masala
This easy Pakistani & Indian-style Bhindi Masala recipe (Okra curry) consists of stir-fried okra enveloped in a savory onion and tomato curry.
Zucchini (Courgette) Curry
Adored by thousands, this easy Zucchini (Courgette) Curry is truly astonishing.
Aloo Gobi
Here's a Cauliflower and Potato Curry (Aloo Gobi) recipe made in the traditional Punjabi way.
Aloo Palak
This is a really easy, tasty recipe for Aloo Palak. Use fresh organic and baby spinach and prepare it well.
Karela Sabzi
Try this karela sabzi recipe. Bitter melons are a rich source of antioxidants, help fight inflammation, and are high on fiber but low on calories.
Moong Dal
This Moong Dal (aka yellow lentils or split mung beans) recipe is creamy and buttery, yet light and so flavorful.
Pakistani Chana Dal
This is an easy Pakistani Chana Dal made in the Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker). Chana Dal (or Split Chickpeas) are cooked with spices and given a simple tadka for an easy dinner.
Khatti Daal
A gorgeous tangy khatti daal recipe that has been adapted for the Instant Pot.
Rice Dishes
Chana Pulao
A Chana Pulao (Chickpea Pulao) recipe that promises full flavor, tender chickpeas, and fluffy rice. This recipe takes 20 minutes of initial (pre-rice cooking) prep time but it’s tasty and elegant enough to serve as main dish for guests.
Matar Pulao
This Matar Pulao (peas pulao) is easy, flavorful, and it takes 20 minutes of initial prep time! Perfect for a weeknight rice dish yet elegant enough for guests.
Mutton Pulao
A classic but easy-to-follow Mutton Pulao recipe that promises deep flavor, tender goat or lamb, and fluffy rice. It’s also designed to double so you can serve it to guests with confidence.
Chicken Biryani
An uncomplicated yet authentic Chicken Biryani recipe with simple, easy-to-follow instructions and mouthwatering, traditional Pakistani and Indian flavor.
Yakhni Chicken Pulao
Here's a classic Yakhni Chicken Pulao recipe that's truly hard to mess up. This recipe promises deep flavor, tender chicken, and fluffy rice.
Instant Pot Chicken Pulao
This quick and easy Instant Pot Chicken Pulao recipe requires just 25 minutes of prep time and results in tender boneless chicken and perfectly cooked rice.
Vegetable Biryani
This Vegetable Biryani recipe is flavorful and satisfying.
Singaporean Rice
Singaporean rice is a fusion dish, a medley of flavors.
Mandi
Mandi is a rice and meat dish originating from Yemen. The meat (chicken, lamb, goat, or camel) used for Mandi is marinated in a special fragrant spice blend called Hawaij.
Meat and Chicken Dishes
Mutton/Lamb Korma
An actually easy Mutton/Lamb Korma recipe that gives you the option to simplify with pre-fried onions. This recipe is rich and satisfying with tender meat and authentic flavors, yet it only takes 15 minutes of initial prep time.
Mutton/Goat or Lamb Karahi
Here's an easy, one-pot Mutton/Goat or Lamb Karahi with tender meat and luscious, restaurant-style flavors. This recipe is easy-to-follow with precise measurements, and practically guarantees soft, tender meat.
Aloo Gosht
Aloo Gosht is a traditional Pakistani-style Mutton/Lamb and Potato Curry. Make this recipe with lamb or goat over stovetop or Instant Pot.
Nihari
Here's an Easy Nihari (Pakistani Beef Stew) recipe that requires 1 pot and less than 30 minutes of initial prep time. This recipe gives stovetop & slow cooker instructions and promises tender beef shank (or stew) meat.
Instant Pot Goat and Bell Pepper Curry
This easy Instant Pot Goat and Bell Pepper curry is a Pakistani-style mutton recipe that requires little prep time and minimal ingredients you probably have on hand!
Aloo Keema
Here's a recipe for an authentic, homestyle, Pakistani & North Indian style Aloo Keema (Keema Curry with potatoes).
Instant Pot Pakistani Beef Curry
This Instant Pot Pakistani Beef Curry, or stew, is an easy recipe in which boneless beef stew meat is cooked alongside yogurt and whole spices. Also called Istu, or Ishto, this is a deeply flavorful yet healthy, dump-and-go Instant Pot beef recipe.
Beef Kofta Curry
Beef Kofta Curry, or simply kofte, is a traditional Pakistani curry made of tender meatballs simmered in a spicy, flavorful sauce.
Lahori Chargha
A spicy, chatpata Lahori Chargha with flavor seeped all the way to the bone. This recipe makes crispy, juicy, super tender chicken using a simpler, (mostly) hands-off method.
Tandoori Chicken
This easy Tandoori Chicken recipe nails the iconic tandoori BBQ flavor we love at restaurants. Bake, then broil (or air-fry) the chicken to give it that smoky, charred finish.
Easy and Authentic Chicken Curry
Here’s an Easy and Authentic Chicken Curry recipe made in the traditional Pakistani and North Indian style. This is a simple, approachable curry recipe that you can make at home in under an hour.