How to Make Beef Nihari at Home: Easy Halal Recipe

Nihari is a rich, slow-cooked stew from South Asia, traditionally eaten for breakfast or on weekends with hot naan. The secret is time: the meat cooks gently until it falls apart and the gravy turns thick and glossy.

Which cut is best for nihari?

Beef shank is the classic choice. It has lots of connective tissue, which melts during slow cooking and gives nihari its silky texture. Shank with the bone in adds marrow and extra flavour.

• Beef Shank (with bone or boneless)
• Beef Stew Meat if you prefer smaller pieces
• Goat Shank or Lamb Shank for a mutton nihari

Ingredients (serves 4 to 5)

• 1 kg (about 2.2 lb) halal beef shank, cut into large pieces
• 1 packet Shan Nihari Spice Mix or Delhi Nihari Spice Mix
• 1/2 cup oil or ghee
• 2 tablespoons ginger and garlic paste
• 1/2 cup wheat flour (chakki atta works well), mixed into 1 cup water
• 8 to 10 cups water
• To serve: sliced ginger, green chillies, coriander leaves, lemon wedges and crispy fried onions

Method

1. Brown the meat. Heat the oil in a heavy pot. Add the ginger and garlic paste and cook for 1 minute, then add the beef and fry until it changes colour.
2. Add the spice. Stir in the nihari masala and cook for 2 to 3 minutes so the spices release their aroma.
3. Slow cook. Pour in the water, bring to a boil, then cover and simmer on the lowest heat for 4 to 6 hours (or about 1 hour in a pressure cooker) until the meat is very tender.
4. Thicken the gravy. Slowly pour in the flour and water mixture while stirring. Simmer for another 20 to 30 minutes until the gravy is thick and smooth.
5. Finish. Top with ginger, green chillies, coriander, fried onions and a squeeze of lemon. Serve with naan.

Tips

• Packet masala is already salted, so taste before adding more salt.
• For extra richness, add a few beef soup bones while it simmers.
• Nihari tastes even better the next day.

Shop more cuts in our halal beef collection and find spice mixes in Spices & Masala.

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Cooking, storage and thawing tips are general guidance only and some content is written with the help of AI, so please use your own judgement. Always follow safe food handling and cook meat to a safe internal temperature. See our Terms and Conditions.