Desi recipes

Desi food is the taste of home for millions — generous spices, slow-cooked gravies, and dishes made for sharing. Our desi recipes cover Pakistani and North Indian favourites like juicy chapli kebab, fragrant chicken pulao, karahis, and biryanis, written with the masala steps and dum (steam) timings that make these dishes taste authentic.

Looking for easy desi food recipes for family dinners or dawat-style gatherings? Start with the most-loved dishes below. Every recipe gives exact spice quantities, meat and rice guidance, and raita and salad serving ideas — and fresh Pakistani recipes are added to this collection every day.

Popular Desi recipes: Aloo Keema, Chicken Malai Boti, Mix Sabzi, Bhindi Gosht

Aloo Keema

Make authentic aloo keema, Pakistan's beloved minced meat and potato curry with warm spices. An easy, hearty desi recipe for the whole family. Hearty,...

Chicken Malai Boti

Make chicken malai boti, Pakistan's creamy, melt-in-the-mouth BBQ chicken cubes with cheese and cream marinade. An easy desi BBQ recipe. Creamy, charred and...

Mix Sabzi

Make mix sabzi, Pakistan's colorful mixed vegetable curry with potatoes, peas and carrots in spiced gravy. A healthy, easy desi vegetarian recipe. Colorful,...

Bhindi Gosht

Tender mutton and silky okra braised in a spiced tomato-onion gravy. This bhindi gosht recipe is a beloved Pakistani home curry — hearty, homely, with chapati.

Dum Ka Qeema

Spiced minced meat slow-steamed in its own juices, finished with charcoal smoke. This dum ka qeema recipe is intensely savory Hyderabadi comfort food with naan.

Paya

Trotters slow-simmered for hours into a rich, collagen-loaded gravy with desi spices. This paya recipe is the legendary Pakistani breakfast, best with naan.

Chicken Achar Gosht

Tangy, fiery chicken achar gosht simmered in pungent pickling spices and creamy yogurt. This authentic Pakistani curry recipe brings the pickle jar to dinner.

Murgh Cholay

Rich, tangy murgh cholay, Lahore's beloved chicken and chickpea curry simmered in spiced tomato gravy. This authentic Pakistani recipe is a weekend classic.

Mutton Korma

Silky, regal mutton korma braised in a fragrant yogurt and cashew gravy with whole spices. This authentic Pakistani recipe makes a show-stopping dinner.

Lahori Fried Fish

Make crispy Lahori fried fish at home. Fish in a spiced gram-flour batter, fried shatteringly crisp -- authentic Pakistani street-style perfection with chutney.

Mutton Pulao

Make authentic Pakistani mutton pulao at home. Tender goat meat and fragrant basmati rice cooked with whole spices in one pot — the classic desi comfort dish.

Sindhi Biryani

Make fiery, tangy Sindhi biryani at home tonight. Tender mutton, potatoes, and dried plums layered with fragrant basmati rice and steamed to perfection.

Chapli Kebab

This Chapli Kebab recipe makes juicy, spice-loaded beef patties with tomatoes, crushed coriander, and pomegranate seeds. A Pakistani street-food classic.

Chicken Pulao

Make fragrant Chicken Pulao with this easy Pakistani recipe. Tender chicken and fluffy basmati rice cooked with whole spices and yogurt, all in one pot.

Shami Kebab

Make juicy, authentic Shami Kebabs with this easy Pakistani recipe. Tender beef and lentils ground with warm spices, shaped into patties and pan-fried golden.

Chicken Jalfrezi

Make authentic chicken jalfrezi at home — seared chicken tossed with crunchy bell peppers and onions in a tangy, spicy desi tomato sauce. Easy 35-minute recipe.

Keema Matar

How to make authentic keema matar — spiced minced meat simmered with sweet green peas in a rich desi masala gravy. A classic weeknight dinner, step by step.

Palak Gosht

How to make authentic palak gosht at home — tender meat simmered in a rich spinach gravy with ginger, garlic, and warm spices. Easy step-by-step recipe.

Aloo Gosht

Learn how to make aloo gosht — tender beef and potatoes simmered in a rich spiced gravy. This easy Pakistani aloo gosht recipe is pure weeknight comfort.

Chicken Haleem

Make authentic chicken haleem at home — slow-cooked chicken, lentils, and cracked wheat simmered into a rich, creamy Pakistani stew. Easy step-by-step recipe.

Daal Tadka

Make creamy daal tadka at home — yellow lentils finished with a sizzling ghee tempering of cumin, garlic, and chilies. A simple, authentic Indian recipe.

Chicken Tikka

Make smoky, juicy chicken tikka at home with this easy recipe. Char-grilled chunks marinated in spiced yogurt - perfect for BBQ nights and family dinners.

Mutton Karahi

Make authentic mutton karahi with tomatoes, ginger and green chilies. A rich, hearty Pakistani wok curry simmered to tender perfection - perfect with naan.

Seekh Kebab

Learn how to make tender, juicy seekh kebabs at home with this easy recipe. Hand-pressed spiced mince grilled to smoky perfection - a true BBQ hit tonight.

Beef Nihari

Fall-apart beef shank in silky spiced gravy — this beef nihari recipe delivers authentic Desi slow-cooked flavor. Step-by-step with wheat-thickened gravy.

Chicken Karahi

Smoky, tomato-rich chicken karahi in 30 minutes — tender chicken wok-tossed with ginger and green chilies. Authentic Desi dhaba flavor, one pan.

Daal Makhani

Creamy, buttery daal makhani — black lentils simmered low and slow with cream and warm spices. Authentic Desi comfort food, step by step.