19 Pakistani Eid Recipes (Traditional & Easy)

Looking for traditional Pakistani Eid Recipes? This post explains which food is typically eaten for both Eid-Al-Fitr and Eid-Al-Adha. Plus you’ll find 19 easy-to-follow, tested and perfected Pakistani recipes for your next Eid table!

What is Eid?

There are 2 Eids in the year: Eid-Al-Fitr and Eid-Al-Adha.

• Eid-Al-Fitr (often referred to as ‘choti Eid‘ (translated to ‘small Eid‘) by Pakistanis) is the Eid celebrated on the 1st of the Islamic month of Shawwal after fasting during the month of Ramadan.
• Eid-Al-Adha (often referred to as ‘bari Eid‘ (translated to ‘big Eid‘)) is held around the 10th to the 13th days of the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah and is meant to honor Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son.

What can I cook on Eid-Al-Fitr?

Eid-Al-Fitr is marked by the end of Ramadan. Typically, people don’t eat breakfast but a date, sheer khurma (also called doodh seviyan), or phirni before leaving for Eid prayer.

What can I cook on Eid-Al-Adha?

Most people cook from their sacrificed meat (qurbani ka gosht) on Eid-Al-Adha so you’ll find lots of meat-heavy dishes on this Eid.

What can I cook for a Pakistani-style Eid Dawat?

Typically, families outside of Pakistan often host brunch or dinner on Eid. This year, we’re obviously not hosting large gatherings, but here’s what’s typical of Eid feasting:

• For brunch, people often serve brunch-related snacks and meals such as dahi baras, samosas, chana chaat, nihari, and halwa poori. For dessert, kheer or sheer khurma is very popular. Lassi and chai (of course) are popular drinks.
• For dinner, celebratory dishes such as haleem, nihari, pulaos, and biryanis are the norm. (P.S. Check out our Dawat Guide for all things related to hosting a Pakistani-style dawat)

My top 19 Pakistani Eid Recipes

Eid Appetizers & Sides

Easy Aloo Ki Tikki

This aloo ki tikki recipe is authentic and full of satisfying flavor and very easy to make. They’re naturally gluten-free and vegetarian (or optionally vegan).

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Easy Shami Kabob (Instant Pot and Stovetop)

Shami kababs are tender patties made with beef and (yellow split peas) along with onion, herbs and spices. This recipe includes Instant Pot and stovetop instructions! Naturally gluten-free!

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Easy, Authentic Cucumber Raita

This is a recipe for an easy and authentic Cucumber Raita, a cool and refreshing yogurt salad that pairs perfectly with biryani, pulao, and many other Pakistani and Indian dishes.

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Easy Instant Pot Keema

This Instant Pot Keema (Ground Beef Curry) is THE keema recipe you’ve been waiting for. It’s quick and easy to prepare and full of traditional Pakistani & Indian flavor. It requires simple ingredients and has no whole spices to bite into, which makes it incredibly versatile and kid-friendly. This recipe also includes instructions on how to adapt it to the stovetop.

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Traditional Eid Drinks

Authentic Pakistani Chai

The typical Pakistani or Indian family drinks chai very different from the chai latte you get at your local coffee shop. This is an authentic cup of chai you will find brewing in the typical Pakistani kitchen.

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The Perfect Plain Sweet Lassi Recipe

This is the best plain sweet lassi recipe I’ve ever had and it comes from my brother-in-law’s kitchen. His secret? He uses a small amount of whipping cream to create a lassi drink that’s perfectly sweet, extra creamy, and instantly refreshing.

Main Dishes for Eid

Easy Instant Pot Pakistani Beef Curry (Stew)

This Instant Pot Pakistani Beef Curry, or stew, is an easy recipe in which boneless beef stew meat is cooked alongside yogurt and whole spices. Also called Istu, or Ishto, this is a deeply flavorful yet healthy, dump-and-go Instant Pot beef recipe.

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Easier Slow Cooker Haleem (Pakistani Beef and Lentil Stew) – Gluten-Free

Haleem is a traditional Pakistani slow-cooked stew made of beef, lentils, and oats. This slow-cooker recipe makes it easy to enjoy this wholesome comfort food that's loved all over the world. This recipe is easy-to-follow and gives the most authentic results. Naturally gluten-free!

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The Best Authentic Chicken Korma

This is a warm, deeply flavorful Chicken Korma recipe that has all the authentic flavor with simple, easy-to-follow instructions. 

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Instant Pot Chicken Pulao

This quick and easy Instant Pot Chicken Pulao recipe requires just 25 minutes of prep time and results in tender boneless chicken and perfectly cooked rice.

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Easy Instant Pot Nihari (Pakistani Beef Stew)

This Instant Pot Nihari recipe takes 30 minutes of prep time but does not compromise on the authentic taste of this traditional Pakistani Beef Stew! Layers of flavor in every bite!

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Pakistani Beef Kofta Curry (Meatball Curry)

Beef Kofta Curry, or simply kofte, is a traditional Pakistani curry made of tender meatballs simmered in a spicy, flavorful sauce. This recipe has all the authentic flavor of old-fashioned kofte but it’s made in an easier, more approachable way.

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Instant Pot Butter Chicken (Easy and Authentic)

This tried-and-tested restaurant-style Instant Pot Butter Chicken recipe is easy to prepare yet yields authentic, deep flavor and tender chicken!

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Chana Masala (Authentic Chickpea Curry)

This is an easy, everyday Chana Masala recipe that’s made in the authentic North Indian and Pakistani style. It’s naturally vegan and gluten-free, and full of vibrant flavor in every bite!

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Baked Tandoori Chicken Curry

This Baked Tandoori Chicken curry is so easy to prepare (just blend the ingredients in a food processor, marinate, & bake) and perfect for guests!

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Pakistani Chicken Karahi

This is a restaurant-style Pakistani Chicken Karahi recipe that can be prepared quickly and easily with no finicky steps.

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Classic Eid Desserts

Easy Instant Pot Carrot Halwa (Gajar ka Halwa)

This authentic Instant Pot Carrot Halwa recipe is made in the traditional Pakistani & Indian style but without hours of active time over the stove. So comforting, naturally gluten-free, and only requires 6 ingredients!

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Traditional Sooji ka Halwa (Semolina Halwa)

Halwa is a famous dessert that is prepared all over the world with various ingredients and in countless forms. This 20-minute recipe is prepared with semolina in the Pakistani and North Indian style.

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Easy Jaggery Rice in the Rice Cooker – Gur Wale Chawal

Jaggery Rice is a traditional South Asian recipe that sweetens rice with jaggery (or gur) for a deeply flavorful dessert. This recipe is gluten-free, easy to make, and yields perfect results. 

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Want more Pakistani Ramadan and Eid Recipes?

39 Ramadan Recipes that are also healthy

Freezer Friendly Make-Ahead Ramadan Recipes & Guide

Also check out my my Foodie-forward Eid Gift Guide! And grab your free 7 Iftar Recipes E-book if you haven’t already!