Authentic Shinwari Mutton Karahi Recipe – MommyandKitchen (2024)

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This dish originated in Northern Pakistan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Afghanistan and gets its name from the Shinwari tribe of Pashtuns. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is famous for its meat dishes. The food from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is unique and special in its way as it is so simple. It is cooked with minimal spices and served in its pure form without over-garnishing, sides, and condiments. This shinwari mutton karahi or shinwari dumba karahi also known as charsi karahi is a very popular recipe in Pashtun cuisine. It is prepared with deliciously tender lamb meat and is given its unique flavor by a generous helping of tomatoes.

Authentic Shinwari Mutton Karahi Recipe – MommyandKitchen (1)

Here’s the authentic recipe for shinwari mutton karahi with its unique flavors. The distinguishing feature of this karahi is that it is prepared in lamb tail fat (dumbe ki chakki). Although there are a lot of recipes on the internet claiming to be original and authentic, but most of them seem to add their twists. In the preparation of the authentic recipe of this simple but very special karahi, no spices, garlic, ginger, or onions are involved, the only spice used is black pepper. Black pepper and green chilies give this karahi a distinctive flavor and aroma.

Authentic Shinwari Mutton Karahi Recipe – MommyandKitchen (2)

If you are looking for a different karahi recipe, try this recipe at home and enjoy the authentic taste of shinwari karahi in the easiest and quickest possible way. It is one of the top favorite meals of my family and a must-try recipe. It’s a simple and extremely easy recipe to prepare at home with minimal ingredients that anyone can make at home even if you are a beginner.

I love my karahis whether it’s a mutton karahi, beef or chicken karahi.

Ingredients for Shinwari Mutton Karahi

Authentic Shinwari Mutton Karahi Recipe – MommyandKitchen (3)

Step by step pictorial instructions

Step 1:

In a wok, heat some oil and fry lamb tail fat in it on medium flame.

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Step 2:

Now add lamb meat and salt. Fry until the colour of meat changes to brown. This helps sealing all the juices inside the meat and keeps it moist and tender.

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Step 3:

Add tomatoes and water. Cover and cook for 15 – 20 minutes until tomatoes are tender.

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Step 4:

Once the tomatoes are tender, remove the skin of tomatoes, crush them with a ladle, and mix well until tomatoes are dissolved. Cover and cook for 20 more minutes until the meat gets tender.

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Step 5:

Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper and green chilies and cook on high flame for 7 – 8 more minutes or till the gravy is thick.

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What do you serve with shinwari mutton karahi?

Serve this succulent karahi with naan or chapatis and a side of fresh salad, chutney, and lassi for an elegant and delicious dinner.

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Can I prepare this shinwari karahi ahead of time?

You can make this ahead of time. I always cook a double batch of this kind of recipe so I can store some for a quick dinner another night.

  • Refrigerator: This recipe will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated easily for another dinner.
  • Freezer: You can freeze the whole cooked dish for up to 2 months. Let it cool completely before putting it into an airtight container. Be sure to thaw it out at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator and while reheating, add some water to prevent the gravy from drying.
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Recipe Notes and Tips

  • To make the mutton juicy and tender, initially cook it on high heat until it changes color. This step will cover the meat pores and juices will remain intact inside the meat so it will give you a delicious taste of curry.
  • For best results, use fresh tomatoes and refrain from using canned/tinned tomatoes.
  • Black pepper is the beauty of this dish, don’t skip it. I always use freshly crushed black pepper.
  • Use whole or halved tomatoes so that the skin can easily be removed.
  • You can also add some tomato puree for more flavor.
  • For the authentic taste, use lamb meat and lamb tail fat or dumbe ki chakki but you can also cook chicken, beef, or goat meat with this recipe.
  • You can easily scale this recipe as per your requirements.

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Recipe

Authentic Shinwari Mutton Karahi Recipe – MommyandKitchen (12)

Serves: 4 Prep Time: Cooking Time:

Nutrition facts: 750 calories 50 fat

Rating: 4.7/5

( 9 voted )

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Ingredients

  • Lamb Tail Fat (cubed) – ¼ kg
  • Lamb Meat or Mutton (with bones, cubed) – 1 kg
  • Cooking Oil – 1 tablespoon
  • Salt – 1 tablespoon
  • Tomatoes (halved) – 6 large
  • Water – ¼ cup
  • Black Pepper (freshly ground) – 2 teaspoons
  • Green Chillies (chopped) – ¼ cup

Instructions

Step by step recipe is given below:

  1. In a wok, add cooking oil and heat it.
  2. Fry lamb tail fat in it on medium flame.
  3. Now add lamb meat and salt. Fry until the color of the meat changes to brown. This helps seal all the juices inside the meat and keeps it moist and tender.
  4. Add tomatoes and water. Cover and cook for 15 – 20 minutes until the tomatoes are tender.
  5. Once the tomatoes are tender, remove the skin of tomatoes, crush them with a ladle, and mix well until tomatoes are dissolved.
  6. Cover and cook for 20 more minutes until the meat gets tender.
  7. Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper and green chilies and cook on high flame for 7 – 8 more minutes or till the gravy is thick.

Serve with Naan, Salad, and Mint Chutney. Enjoy! And Remember ‘COOKING IS EASY’!

Notes

  • To make the mutton juicy and tender, initially cook it on high heat until it changes the color. This step will cover the meat pores and juices will remain intact inside the meat so it will give you a delicious taste of curry.
  • For best results, use fresh tomatoes and refrain from using canned/tinned tomatoes.
  • Black pepper is the beauty of this dish, don’t skip it. I always use freshly crushed black pepper.
  • Use whole or halved tomatoes so that the skin can easily be removed.

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Authentic Shinwari Mutton Karahi Recipe – MommyandKitchen (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Karahi and Karahi Gosht? ›

A little bit about Karahi Gosht for any food nerds out there: The word Karahi refers to the vessel (commonly used in South Asian cooking, usually made of cast iron and similar to the shape of a wok) and Gosht refers to the meat.

How is Shinwari made? ›

Mutton Shinwari is a dish that celebrates the robust taste of mutton or lamb, cooked to perfection in a blend of olive oil and spices. The dish's complexity lies in its layers of flavor, from the earthiness of ginger and garlic to the subtle heat of green chillies.

What is the history of Shinwari Karahi? ›

The Origins of Shinwari Karahi

The Shinwari Karahi can be traced back to when the Pashtuns, including the Shinwari tribe, were known for their nomadic lifestyle. They would cook their food using simple yet ingenious techniques, creating dishes that were both flavorful and easy to prepare.

What is Shinwari Tikka? ›

Khan explains that the central item to Shinwari food is the lamb, which the restaurant serves in three ways: Shinwari tikka, lamb salted, skewered and fired on the grill; Shinwari karahi, lamb cooked in its own fat on high heat in a wok; or dum pukht, lamb cooked on slow heat in a large pot sealed with flour.

Which part of mutton is best for mutton karahi? ›

Meat for Karahi: Karahi Gosht is usually made with bone-in cuts because they are high in fat and the juices from bones make the Karahi absolutely finger-licking good. We recommend using lamb shoulder, chops, lamb leg or shanks for Karahi.

Is karahi Indian or Pakistani? ›

A karahi is a type of thick, circular, and deep cooking pot (similar in shape to a wok) that originated in the Lucknow, India. It is used in Indian, Nepalese, Sri Lankan, Pakistani, Bangladeshi/Bengali, Afghan, and Caribbean cuisines.

What is meant by shinwari? ›

Shin·​wa·​ri. shinˈwärē plural Shinwari or Shinwaris. : a member of a nomadic Afghan people inhabiting the valleys of the Safed Koh range and south of Jalalabad.

What is the difference between karahi and kadai? ›

The kadai is a deep, circular, and flat-bottomed cooking pan made of various materials like cast iron, stainless steel, or copper. It typically has two looped handles on either side for easy handling. The word "karahi" or "kadahi" refers to the utensil itself as well as the dishes prepared in it.

What is the difference between curry and karahi? ›

What distinguishes chicken karahi from other curries from the region is that traditionally, it is cooked without onions in the base, and instead uses just tomatoes, ginger and garlic. It is usually served with naan, roti or rice. This dish is one of the hallmarks of North Indian, Afghan and Pakistani cuisine.

Is Shinwari a tribe? ›

The Shinwari (Pashto: شينواري) are an ethnic Pashtun tribe of Afghanistan.

What is the national dish of chicken tikka? ›

Chicken tikka masala is now a true British national dish, not only because it is the most popular, but because it is a perfect illustration of the way Britain absorbs and adapts external influences. Chicken tikka is an Indian dish.

What is tikka korai? ›

A superbly created dish with a concoction of finely mixed spices and herbs to give the diner a wonderful experience: Prepared with onions, tomatoes and capsicum in a cast iron wok (korai) and cooked in a stir fry method.

What curry is similar to karahi? ›

Others have suggested that the balti comes from the Balti people who live in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. It is a medium curry and similar to a Karahi and other curries that come with a thick sauce rather than a runny gravy.

What is the origin of Karahi Gosht? ›

While some cuisines' origins and background history are unclear, the Karahi is well-known worldwide and is covered in detail in the collection of cookbooks. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province of Pakistan, is where the speciality Mutton Karahi was first created in the early 19th century.

What is the meaning of Gosht in curry? ›

Gosht or ghosht refers to tender meat, cooked for a long time, and used as an ingredient in a number of Middle Eastern cuisine, Central Asian cuisine and cuisine of the Indian subcontinent. The word stems from the Persian word gosht گوشت, meaning "meat" or "flesh", especially that of goat.

What is the other name for karahi? ›

A cauldron is a very large round metal pot used for cooking over a fire. A pan is a round metal container with a handle, which is used for cooking things, usually on top of a cooker.

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