Weeknight karahi · Boneless beef
Beef Karahi Recipe (Spicy Bhuna Beef Karahi)
Small even cubes. Tender first. Karahi masala to finish.
Recipe by Farwa ZeeshanTested in the NineFoods home kitchenBeef karahi is a spicy, thick karahi of tender beef cubes, popular across Pakistan for weeknights and guests. Beef takes longer than chicken or mutton, so it often ends up chewy. The fix is small even cubes, cooking them covered until tender, and a high heat bhunao with tomatoes finished with coarse karahi masala.
The 3 laws of beef karahi
Why this recipe works
Large chunks
Even, quicker cooking.
Rushed
No chewy beef.
Garam masala
Coarse, toasty finish.
Shopping and prep list
Ingredients
Karahi
The NineFoods beef gauge
Is the beef tender?
Press a cube.
Method · 3 stages
Step by step
Beef
- Fry beef with ginger garlic and salt; cover and cook, adding water if needed. Use the gauge above.
Bhunao
- Add tomatoes, chilli and turmeric; bhuno until thick and oily.
Finish
- Add karahi masala, chillies, ginger and coriander.
Chef's troubleshooter
What went wrong? Pick the symptom
Why
Not cooked long enough.
Fix next time
Cook until tender or pressure cook.
Why
Low heat bhunao.
Fix next time
Bhuno on high.
Why
No water during cooking.
Fix next time
Add water as needed.
Why
No karahi masala.
Fix next time
Finish with it.
Swap smart
Ingredient roles and substitutes
| Ingredient | Job in the dish | Swap with |
|---|---|---|
| Beef | Main | Mutton |
| Karahi masala | Finish | Crushed coriander, cumin and pepper |
| Fresh tomatoes | Body | Canned tomatoes |
| Pressure cooker | Time | 6 whistles |
After the meal
Serve, store, reheat
Serve with
Naan or roti.
Store
Fridge 3 days; freezes 2 months.
Reheat
Low heat with water.
How we tested this recipe
Tested in a home kitchen, not a studio
Recipe developed and tested by Farwa Zeeshan, who cooks and tests every NineFoods recipe on a regular home stove.
- Cooked from start to finish with the exact quantities above for 4 servings, using both the metric and US cup measures.
- Every one of the 3 stages was timed at the stove; heat levels and the 'look for' cues are what we saw in the pan.
- The doneness check (is the beef tender) and the troubleshooter come from batches that went wrong, and how we fixed them.
- Reheating and storage advice was checked on leftovers, not guessed.
Keep cooking
Related recipes and guides
Quick answers
Beef Karahi FAQ
How long does beef karahi take?
About 1.5 hours, or 40 minutes with a pressure cooker.
Which beef cut is best?
Boneless chuck or topside.
Can I add yoghurt?
Yes, a few spoons at the end for creaminess.
Is beef karahi spicy?
Medium to hot.