Soup · Main Course · Central Asian ·

Uzbek Mastava with Rice and Fresh Herbs

Name: Uzbek Mastava with Rice and Fresh Herbs
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 105 min
Total time: 140 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Soup
Ingredients: 500g beef chuck, cut into small cubes; 1 large onion, finely chopped; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 4 cups beef broth; 2 carrots, diced; 2 potatoes, peeled and diced; 1 bell pepper, chopped; 1 cup tomatoes, diced; 1 cup rice, rinsed until the water runs clear; 2 cups water; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tsp ground cumin; Salt and pepper to taste; 1/2 bunch fresh dill, chopped; 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped

Mastava is a comforting Uzbek soup that combines rice, beef, and aromatic herbs for a satisfying meal any time of the year.

4.4(685 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·August 1, 2025

Uzbek Mastava with Rice and Fresh Herbs — Soup served and photographed from above

Prep

35 min

Cook

1 h 45 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Soup Base

For the Vegetable Mix

For the Rice

For the Seasoning

For the Garnish

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 348 kcal
Protein: 20 g
Carbs: 26.2 g
Fat: 18.5 g
Fiber: 3.2 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2085 kcal
Protein: 120 g
Carbs: 157 g
Fat: 111 g
Fiber: 19 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
500g beef chuck, cut into small cubes	1090	97	0	81	0
1 large onion, finely chopped	44	1	10	0	1
2 tbsp vegetable oil	240	0	0	28	0
4 cups beef broth	60	6	2	2	0
2 carrots, diced	50	1	12	0	3
2 potatoes, peeled and diced	320	8	72	0	8
1 bell pepper, chopped	24	1	6	0	2
1 cup tomatoes, diced	32	2	7	0	2
1 cup rice, rinsed until the water runs clear	200	4	45	0	1
2 cups water	0	0	0	0	0
2 cloves garlic, minced	9	0	2	0	0
1 tsp ground cumin	8	0	1	0	1
Salt and pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
1/2 bunch fresh dill, chopped	4	0	1	0	1
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped	4	0	1	0	1

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Beef

1
Heat the oil
In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
2
Sauté onions
Add the chopped onions and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
3
Brown the beef
Stir in the beef cubes and continue cooking until browned on all sides.

Preparing the Vegetables

1
Add vegetables
Add carrots, potatoes, bell pepper, and tomatoes to the pot.
2
Cook vegetables
Mix well and cook for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
3
Simmer with broth
Pour in the beef broth and bring to a simmer.
4
Important
Do not let the soup boil too vigorously, or the flavors will not meld properly.
Tip: Allow some extra time for natural cooling; this improves the blend of flavors.

How to Make Uzbek Mastava with Rice and Fresh Herbs

Total time: 2 h 20 min · Yields 6 servings

1
Simmering
Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 45 minutes. Stir occasionally.
2
Adding Rice
Stir the rinsed rice into the soup and cook for another 20 minutes.
3
Finishing Touch
Season with garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper before serving.