I'm really excited! Now, Recipe52 is a Pakistani Food blog and for a long time, I wanted to collect all the best of Pakistani Food Recipes and dishes on a single blog post. What more I wanted to show how amazingly my fellow Pakistani bloggers' community is working typing down and shooting authentic Food recipe pictorial and videos.
Updated:12 April 2021
While I was keen to note down all famous Pakistani recipes in this post. I also made sure that relatively less popular but unique Pakistani dishes are not missed. What more? Pakistani food Fusion recipes that are delightful to Pakistani and desi taste buds are also included.
For this post, I contacted almost 30 Best Pakistani WordPress Food bloggers and you will also find my own also here and there. Which means this will be a huge and grand collection. And so I'm dividing the post into a section and also adding a table of content to make the navigation quick and easy. If you find this collection useful, don't forget to mention this on your blog and share it with your friends. Do leave a comment, I always love to hear from you.
Pakistani Food Culture
Pakistanis are a foodie community. In every event from anniversaries to ceremonies, public meetings, public voting, religious gathering or niyaz culture, food, and snacks hold major attraction and driving force.
Pakistani cuisine is based on a bread diet basically, a typical Muslim or central Asia diet where bread is used to scoop the curry. And trust me, we have a huge variety of bread to with different types of curries. Naan, kulcha, paratha, roti, chapati, shermal, tandoori roti, taftan, double roti, pao are few to name.
Sindh and Punjabi's diet is generally spicier than other regions like Gilgit and Kashmiri diet. Pakistan foodies are also meat lovers and the Pakistani diet id pre-dominantly a meat diet. However economical restrictions make daal and sabzi more common food enjoyed by all strata of society. So while a variety of Karahi is cherished food all over Pakistan, it is still an expensive food, making daal is more commonly and widely eaten all over the country and a better nominee for Pakistani National food.
Pakistani Food Dishes List with Picture
For this, I want to humbly thank all Pakistani bloggers for allowing me to share the best gems from their recipes with you.
Pakistani Chicken Recipes
Ready for a smokey succulent authentic Pakistani chicken tikka? It tastes just like a restaurant and as if just came off the barbecue pit. This is one of the most tested recipes on the blog. The tandoori chicken is often referred to as Chicken Tikka Thigh or Breast in Pakistan.
Make deliciously spicy desi chow mein at home with stir-fried lean chicken, assorted veggies, and juicy flavored noodles. These Pakistani noodles are so good and easy to make!
Ready for the best chicken malai tikka or Malai boti? These are kids friendly, soft, Reshmi tikka that has a creamy moderately spicy taste. These turn out better than restaurants and you will never order them again because they are so easy to make.
Spicy fried chicken that will be the love of your heart. This is the most famous and traditional Pakistani fried whole chicken from the city Lahore? Obviously, it’s time to share Lahori Charga or chargha recipe.
This Chicken Tikka Karahi is the epitome of fusion like Tikka cut wedded with Karahi masala and fried spices; a recipe to absolute deliciousness in every bite. This is a typical Balochi style Karahi served on Dhabas near the highway.
Chicken Tikka Masala (ikneadtoeat.com)
Try this restaurant-style Chicken Tikka Masala, it’s super delicious and so very easy to make!
Tandoori Chicken Pizza (Tea for Turmeric)
Pizza naturally induces happiness, and this homemade Tandoori Chicken Pizza is next-level blissful. There aren’t many joys that can match up to taking a sizzling, bubbly pizza out of a blazing hot oven. I’ve taken this particular pizza out of my oven on many occasions, mostly for guests, because such pleasures must be shared.
Steamed Chicken Roast, Punjabi Style
This steam roasted chicken has always been considered a quintessential item on the wedding menus in the central and lower Punjab areas of Pakistan. The very spicy yet super delicious roast is generally made in a big cooking vessel called Degh but this recipe makes it easy to make at home.
Mirchi Chicken skewers ( Pots and Curries)
Mirchi Chicken Skewer is a perfect summertime all rounder. Mirchi chicken skewers is a different recipe yet very close to the roots. It is prepared with a homemade chili paste using our traditional flavors and spices with a perfect balance of garlicy brown butter sauce on top.
Chicken Tikka Karahi (Tickle Those Taste Buds)
A flavorful blend of the two most popular Pakistani dishes in one. Spicy, char-grilled Chicken Tikka cooked in karahi with fragrant spices, fresh tomatoes and ginger. A bold and spicy dish sizzling with flavors.
Chicken sajji (Butter Over Bae)
A traditional mildly spiced recipe for a whole chicken from the province of Balochistan in Pakistan. Ideally made on open flame, this recipe is adapted to make Sajji at home.
Memoni Khousay (Blend of Spice)
Khousay is originally a Burmese and Thai dish called “Khao Suey,” Memon’s modified it and adapted to make their own version. It is a very pungent and aromatic dish with a depth of flavor and is probably the most popular dish in any Memon home. Cooked noodles in a flavorful coconut curry with a meat gravy topped with herbs and toppings is the delectable dish we Memon’s call Khousay.
Bakery Style Chicken Patties (Fun Cooking)
The very authentic Pakistani bakery style chicken patties. The step by step pictorial make is so easy. No to forget that freshly baked chicken patties right from the oven is killer. Just don't burn your mouth.
This one is amongst Punjabi chicken curry recipes. You just can’t go wrong with this. The chicken is cooked in spicy tomato gravy with subtle flavors. The unique style of cooking curry in a wok (AKA Karahi) will take your heart. This will be surely taking a permanent place in your everyday chicken recipes.
For chicken kofta curry yogurt, coconut, and cream; all are blended together with roasted cumin and coriander to make this yummy kofta (AKA meatballs) curry. The koftas are soft, full of flavor and melt in the mouth. You can devour meatballs one after another, it tastes so yummy!
What makes this bread lasagne absolutely yummy is the variety of sauce. The ketchup-mayo sauce on soaked bread makes a soft base for the pie. Then almost any leftover chicken pairs well with dish. Finally, the creamy cheesy veggie sauce. What dig your spoon in the dish you feel going though so many layers and each with a distinct taste. Overall, tasting so much in one bite is so delightful.
This is my signature sandwich recipe! No other recipe has earned me more praises than this. These are refreshing and juicy sandwiches and you’ll have your guest asking for more and more.
This is an easy but loud chicken recipe that calls for tikka masala, ketchup, and mayonnaise or cream. It is served with sautéed vegetables. A unique and delicious chicken that can be eaten with rice or roti and even alone without any carbs. Lastly, if you don’t have whole chicken you can make it with a chicken cut in pieces, chicken quarters, or with boneless chicken too.
This is an easy recipe for desi style korma. Korma is a highly aromatic curry with a blend of many whole spices. This is a simple recipe of traditional korma that can be eaten with naan, sheermal, or taftan.
This is a dhaba style (street-style) quick chicken in yogurt based curry. It is spiced with freshly grounded cumin, coriander, and pepper. A quick and simple chicken gravy recipe with delectable flavors and aroma. This is the white and dairy-based version of traditional karahi.
Paneer Reshmi Handi Recipe is a merry fusion of east and west. It is a dairy-based curry. In this dish, cheddar cheese is used instead of paneer (cottage cheese). The gravy is also inspired by Italian white sauce.
The Chicken version of Pakistani Nihari. Give your family a spicy curry treat. Serve with lots of lemon juice and ginger.
Want more chicken recipes? Check my 30 plus Pakistani Chicken Recipes collection here.
Pakistani Beef and Lamb Recipes
Dum ka Pasanday (Pakistan Eats)
This traditional recipe for masala rubbed roast beef from Kauser Ahmed's cookbook, The Karachi Kitchen, has been adapted for the slow cooker. It's an incredibly tender and flavorful dish that derives its rich flavor from a complex spice blend.
Paya (Lamb or Beef Trotter) ( Ainy Cooks)
One of the most famous and popular dish in Pakistan. Specially in Punjab people enjoy Paye in breakfast in every season.
This is traditional Pakistani Beef and whole wheat stew, that is finger licking good and healthy. The spice level is highly making it very tempting for spice lovers.
Want the spicer red lamb leg, the masala raan type? This recipe will end your search, the detailed recipe and steps get you masaladaar raan with super soft meat.
Pakistani Shami Kabab, reshay walay
This is a traditional Shami kabab recipe that can be made with boneless mutton or beef. The step by step recipe makes it so easy to comprehend.
This is a classic Pakistani curry loved by all and staple in every Pakistani home. This is one pot, slow cook recipe of aloo gosht that is so easy to make and still tastes so good. The recipe is easy peasy and traditional style, do give it a try.
Ready for a spicy flour-based beef stew? I know the description of Pakistani beef nihari recipe is really unique and difficult to imagine. But I can tell you this will be best the curried beef stew you ever had. This Nihari recipe is a tribute to my love of Karachi Nihari.
This is an easy version of Chinioti mutton kunna recipe. You’ll need mutton leg cut into pieces for this recipe. The mutton shanks also taste so yummy as the fat juices released by the bone in the curry make it a delicious stew. The aroma of black cumin is key to the taste. This is a very easy mutton recipe.
Kaleji Masala, Mutton Liver curry
The photo doesn’t do justice to yummy kaleji that comes out as a result of this recipe. The post also shares all tips related to making mutton liver.
A classic Pakistani curry made in tomato based gravy. It is very aromatic with fenugreek leaves and delicious. This is super easy to make and is a family favourite recipe.
Want more mutton recipes? Check my Mutton recipes Collection.
These fried fish fingers are how you get them on the streets of Pakistan. Light and crispy from the outside, flavourful and spicy from the inside this Lahori Fried Fish makes an incredibly delicious appetizer.
Pakistani Ground Meat (keema) Recipes
Dum ka keema ( Flour and Spice Blog)
A good Dum ka Keema, spicy, smoky, heady punctured with the brightness of mint, the boldness of ginger, that just calls for parathas.
This is crustless lagan ki seekh which has fried potatoes. It is also gluten-free. I like this version more than the above version because it sets very well. YUM! Serve with some ketchup on the side for best taste.
This is Pakistan classic mincemeat recipe. This just can’t disappoint anyone. The spice, gravy and herbs are quite balanced in this recipe. Try it, this will become your go-to mince recipe. In fact, this bhunna keema tastes great in/on everything. Whether it keema be a keema sandwich, keema lasagna, Keema pasta or keema with rice and chapati.
Mince filling is wrapped in flour flatbread strips then fried for a crispy coating. And it tastes so good with imli chutney.
Pakistani style skewers mince seekh kabab, that can be enjoyed easily at home. Just marinate mince meat and pan fry it.
The mince filling of this recipe is very tasty. When a yummy filling is wrapped in mashed potatoes and coated with bread crumbs, the filling taste even better.
These will be the best kabab you ever had. Chapli kabab is an Peshawari dish. It is made with thickly grounded spices and pomegranate seeds. The juicy tomato added in the end is an absolute delight to the palate. The kabab ae so easy to make and can make a juicy and spicy burger patty.
Pakistani Lentil Recipes
This Dal Chicken recipe is an absolutely delicious, finger-licking good curry that you’ll love to cook over and over again! Dal Chicken to me is the perfect balance between getting a healthy dose of fibre-filled, nutritious lentils in, as well as satisfying that desire (need) for a cheeky bit of chicken.
Chana Dal (Cooking With Shazia)
This is a great vegetarian recipe that is very popular in South Asian cooking. This version is very easy because I have boiled the split peas in advance and added to masala later for quicker tastier daal.
Who can resist a warm bowl of aromatic, light, and fluffy Pakora curry? And when the most popular Pakistani dumpling AKA Pakora gets soaked in it, you get a pillowy ball drenched in flavors ready to melt in your mouth.
An easy dump in one pot recipe that is used in most Pakistani homes and turns out super YUM! Although they are not as tempting in appearance, they are much more nutritious than other lentils. Absolute gem among Pakistan lentil foods.
Enjoy an easy, hearty lentil curry with rice and fresh salad to make a most comfy meal.
Pakistani Vegeterian Recipes
Lotus root sabzi Bhai ki sabzi (Mirchi Tales )
This popular Sindhi vegetarian recipe is made from lotus root (bhae in Urdu/Sindhi) in an onion based gravy with potatoes and tamarind pulp.
Tangy Eggplant curry (Two Cloves In a Pot)
Khatte Baingan (tanygy Eggplants) is a South Asian recipe. It’s stuffed eggplants baked on broil, and then placed in a tomatoes infused curry.
This is really easy peasy and tasty recipe of Aloo palak. Use fresh organic and baby spinach and bhunofy well. You'll end up polishing your plate.
This is a simple everyday bhindi recipe, Pakistan style and I bet, this will be the most delicious bhindi masala that you would ever eat. It is quick and easy to make and tastes great every time. Check the tips to make it great every time.
Looking for Punjabi style, Dhaba style authentic aloo gobi matar? Here, we’ve got you all covered with a deliciously spiced curried cauliflower and potato curry to feed your hungry soul.
This is very simple but incredibly delicious Punjabi style mustard greens recipe. The buttery sarson simply melts in your mouth.
Bitter Melon Curry, Pakistani karela
This is one of the most delicious and easy bitter melon recipe Pakistani style, you’ll find on web. Bitter melon or bitter gourd is a notorious vegetable in proverbs and sayings for its bitter flavor like ‘karwa karela’, ‘karela si batein’ but the bitterness has sweet effects on health. The trick is to cut its bitterness to an enjoyable level.
Mix Vegetable curry, Pakistani Style
This is my mother in law’s recipe and quite perfected so follow it completely. The spice level in this recipe is mild so add more green chili if needed.
Get ready to get the easiest, tastiest Pakistani aloo baingan recipe. It gives aroma and flavors of achari baingan without much of the effort. The recipe is quick, just add everything in the pot and let it slow cook for 30 minutes. And, you are ready to drool over tastiest Aloo Baingan ever.
Want more vagetable recipes? Check my Pakistani Sabzi Recipes Collection here.
Pakistani Rice Recipes
Chicken Mandi (A Foodies Wish)
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. Mandi is quite popular in Middle Eastern countries and is served as the main dish at special events like Eid, weddings, and other celebrations. What differentiates Mandi from other Arabic meat dishes is the cooking technique. Mandi is cooked in a special kind of underground clay oven.
Tehari Rice ( Becky keeps House)
This fine-tuned tehari (spiced rice and potatoes) recipe consists of the perfect blend of spices for a fragrant and delicious rice experience. I honestly believe you’re going to love it.
I had been making this Vegetable Biryani for years. Now, I’m quite satisfied with the recipe. It’s aromatic, juicy, reasonably spiced and a delight for all vegetable lovers.
Want to taste the epitome of Pakistani Fusion? Singaporean rice is the wildest imagination of desi cook objectified, a medley of flavors that will not fail to please. Don't be misguided by the name, it is Pakistani fusion food.
Yakhni means soup. In yakhni pulao, the rice is cooked in the aromatic and spiced soup and the soup absorbs all the juices of meat and spices. This is a delight for any rice lover.
Pakistani Chicken Biryani Recipe
Want that aromatic, spicy and juicy dum biryani recipe? With all the details you need to know to make the perfect biryani rice. Here’s you can find the secret recipe.
Barbecue chicken rice is an absolute innovation from a true Pakistani Foodie. This is again modern Pakistani recipe with smoked tikka chicken, tangy sauce and smoked veggies on the sides. You'll love the burst of flavors in every bite!
Pakistani Dessert Recipes
Lab-e-Shireen (Fauziaskitchen.com)
Lab-e-Shireen is a rich Pakistani ‘custard and fruit’ based dessert that is both highly refreshing and incredibly delicious. It is most enjoyable as a refresher during the Holy month of Ramadhan.
A copycat recipe of Lahore’s prized shortbread style cookies, Naan Khatai, from the famed Khalifa Bakery. The most famous and iconic Pakistani cookie in it's best version.
In our home, gur wale chaawal are king, and whenever a batch of fresh gur came from the village, we knew what it meant gur wala chawal. Absolute rustic taste and homely feeling. I like the combo of meetha chawal and Spicy Daal and Mirchoon ka salan completely divine.
Sooji halwa/halva is a popular Indian/ Pakistani dessert served in breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It tastes great alone too but it is amazing when paired with poori.
Gajar ka halwa is an Indian Pakistani traditional sweet. In this recipe gajar ka halwa is made with khoya, AKA mawa. Khoya is simply solid crumbled milk made by evaporating milk until almost solid.
he combination of chilled meethi kheer and hot namkaeen puri is mouth-watering. In Pakistan kheer is served in a pair of ‘kunda’, clay bowls. As clay pots helps evaporating water, kunda or matka kheer is richer and thicker too.
Shahi tukda not only makes a quick dessert, but it is also a great way to utilize leftover slices of bread. Do check the tips section as the recipe is really forgiving and gives to a hundred ways to make changes.
This is the best mango kulfi recipe without cooking, I claim that! Yes, you heard it right because it has a delicious mango flavor and very similar to authentic kulfi texture with few icicles. And, at the same time, it is creamy and not too hard to bite.
Sheer Khurma is cooked on Eid ul Fitr throughout South Asia. Sheer literally means ‘milk’ and khurma means dates in Persian language. So Sheer khurma is sweetened milk syrup with dates, vermicelli and dry fruits.
Imagine you are craving a decadent chocolate biscuit pudding and you want to enjoy it immediately. But you are willing to put zero effort into it. This chocolate biscuit pudding in a bowl is exactly what will satisfy your cravings instantly; in the middle of the night, quietly without anyone knowing about it! Shhh…
Tried any recipes? I'd LOVE to hear about it in the comments. Took a photo? Tag us @recipe52 and use the hashtag #loverecipe52. Your 5-star ratings and comments motivate me to do my best.
Amir Shah says
Thanks for providing good information about Pakistani Dishes. It will help me to choose.
Recipe 52 says
I will check your channel too, posting links are not allowed.
Rebecca says
Firstly, thank you so much for including my Tehari Rice recipe in this amazing round-up. I appreciate the work that went into putting this together. A lot of great blogs in here, some are new names and I can't wait to check them out! Great job, Mariam!
Recipe 52 says
Lovely words and thanks a lot Rebecca, I believe we all need to unite and promote Pakistan Cuisine. All bloggers are doing great job in their own way.