Main Course · Dinner · Asian ·

Savory Pakistani Nihari with Ginger-Garlic Garnish

Name: Savory Pakistani Nihari with Ginger-Garlic Garnish
Prep time: 100 min
Cook time: 300 min
Total time: 400 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Beef shank, 1 kg, bone-in and cut into pieces; Ghee or clarified butter, 3 tablespoons; Onions, 2 large, thinly sliced; Beef broth, 6 cups; Nihari masala, 3 tablespoons; Ground turmeric, 1 teaspoon; Cayenne pepper, 1/2 teaspoon; Salt, To taste; Fresh ginger, 4 tablespoons, julienned; Garlic, 6 cloves, thinly sliced; Fresh coriander leaves, For garnish; Naan or steamed basmati rice, To serve; Lemon wedges

Nihari, a traditional Pakistani dish, is a beautifully spiced, slow-cooked beef stew, served best with warm naan or steamed basmati rice.

4.8(970 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·January 4, 2026

Savory Pakistani Nihari with Ginger-Garlic Garnish — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

1 h 40 min

Cook

5 h

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Nihari

Spice Mix

Ginger-Garlic Garnish

Accompaniments

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 652 kcal
Protein: 38.5 g
Carbs: 31.2 g
Fat: 41.8 g
Fiber: 2.2 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 3911 kcal
Protein: 231 g
Carbs: 187 g
Fat: 251 g
Fiber: 13 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Beef shank 1 kg, bone-in and cut into pieces	2630	200	0	205	0
Ghee or clarified butter 3 tablespoons	360	0	0	41	0
Onions 2 large, thinly sliced	88	2	20	0	3
Beef broth 6 cups	30	5	1	1	0
Nihari masala 3 tablespoons	60	3	12	2	6
Ground turmeric 1 teaspoon	9	0	2	0	1
Cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon	3	0	1	0	0
Salt To taste	0	0	0	0	0
Fresh ginger 4 tablespoons, julienned	19	0	4	0	1
Garlic 6 cloves, thinly sliced	27	1	6	0	0
Fresh coriander leaves For garnish	1	0	0	0	0
Naan or steamed basmati rice To serve	680	20	140	2	2
Lemon wedges	4	0	1	0	0

These are estimates based on typical ingredients, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Beef

1
Rub Beef with Masala
Rub the beef shank pieces with 1 tablespoon of nihari masala.
2
Refrigerate
Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
3
Rest
Bring to room temperature before cooking.

Preparing the Spice Mix

1
Combine Spices
Combine 2 tablespoons of nihari masala, ground turmeric, cayenne pepper, and salt in a bowl.
2
Set Aside
Set aside for cooking.
3
Important
Do not over-brown the onions as it can make the stew bitter.
4
Pro Tip
Use a heavy-bottomed pot for even heat distribution.

How to Make Savory Pakistani Nihari with Ginger-Garlic Garnish

Total time: 6 h 40 min · Yields 6 servings

1
Browning the Onions
Heat ghee in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until golden brown.
2
Cooking the Beef
Add beef shank pieces and cook until browned on all sides.
3
Simmering the Nihari
Add spice mix and stir well. Pour in beef broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer for 4-5 hours.