25 Traditional Pakistani Dishes (with Recipes)

Welcome to a roundup of 25 popular and traditional Pakistani dishes! This list features kebabs, classic main dishes, desserts, and drinks along with their recipes.

So what is Pakistani food anyway?

Now here’s an elusive question that I’ve given endless thought to in my years of blogging.

Pakistan was established just 73 years ago, but the food in that particular region has been around much longer. So when we refer to Pakistani food, we are referring to the food of that particular region.

When describing Pakistani cuisine, it’s almost natural to compare it to Indian cuisine. But Pakistani cuisine itself is as complex and varied.

For example, Lahore, Pakistan and Amritsar, India have a 31 mile distance, so you can imagine how similar the cuisine would be. Similarly, there are undeniable influences of Afghani cuisine in parts of Pakistan. My friend Maryam, founder of the award-winning blog Pakistan Eats, writes more extensively on Pakistani cuisine, and you can find many of her insightful pieces here.

What is the famous food of Pakistan?

Pakistan is famous for its Moghul-inspired cuisine: pulaos, biryanis, kababs, and kormas. In contrast with India, Pakistan is known for its heavier use of meat, particularly beef.

I’d like to point out that this blog doesn’t highlight some of the lesser-known, yet equally traditional dishes across Pakistan. For example, my sister-in-law is Pashtun (Pakhtun) and once prepared a delightful, gently spiced Namak Gosht (salted meat). Those types of dishes aren’t mainstream, but nonetheless are an important part of Pakistani cuisine.

25 Traditional Pakistani Dishes

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but a compilation of popular Pakistani recipes that I have on my blog. From my growing collection of Pakistani recipes, I have narrowed it down to just 25 recipes that I felt were representative of Pakistani cuisine.

Appetizers & Snacks

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!

4.89 from 18 votes

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Easy Oven-Baked Pakistani Seekh Kabob (Ground Beef Skewers)

These Easy Oven-Baked Pakistani Seekh Kabob are made with ground beef, onions, garlic, ginger, green chili peppers, and spices. Naturally gluten-free!

5 from 6 votes

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Easy Pakistani Aloo Ki Tikki – Potato Cutlets

This recipe for Pakistani-style Aloo Ki Tikki is made with mashed potatoes, onions, herbs, and spices. Naturally gluten-free and vegetarian (or optionally vegan).

5 from 4 votes

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Vegetarian Dishes

Instant Pot Sarson Ka Saag (Easy & Authentic)

This Easy Instant Pot Sarson Ka Saag recipe is made in the Authentic Indian and Pakistani (Punjabi) style but in half the time! Stovetop instructions included. Vegetarian/Vegan optional!

5 from 5 votes

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Pakistani Urad Dal (Maash Ki Dal)

Maash ki Dal, or sukhi (dry) split urad dal, may not be mainstream, but it's beloved by all who've tried it. This recipe makes it in the traditional Pakistani and Punjabi way – dry, as in firm, but cooked through – and adorned with delicate slivers of ginger and warming green chili peppers.

5 from 15 votes

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Kadhi Pakora (Instant Pot and Stovetop)

This is a classic Punjabi-style Kadhi Pakora recipe with Instant Pot and Stovetop instructions. This recipe uses accessible ingredients and has a shortened cook time but remains true to the flavors of traditional Pakistani and North Indian Kadhi.

5 from 10 votes

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Easy Baingan Bharta (Oven Roasted/Broiled Eggplant Curry)

Baingan Bharta is a prized Indian and Pakistani (Punjabi) dish. It consists of roasted eggplant in a delicately spiced dry curry. This recipe includes instructions on how to broil it in the oven, plus some essential tips on how to get it to taste amazing!

5 from 13 votes

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Meat Dishes

Instant Pot Goat Curry

This easy Instant Pot Goat and Bell Pepper curry is a Pakistani-style mutton recipe that requires little prep time and minimal ingredients you probably have on hand! It’s perfectly spiced, a little tart, and full of flavor.

5 from 1 vote

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Instant Pot Pakistani Chicken Curry

This Pakistani-style Instant Pot Chicken Curry includes bone-in chicken and potatoes and requires just 30 minutes of *total* prep time! This is an easy recipe with simple ingredients, minimal chopping, and no complicated steps!

5 from 13 votes

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Aloo Keema (Ground Beef and Potato Curry)

Here's a recipe for an authentic, homestyle, Pakistani & North Indian style Aloo Keema (Keema Curry with potatoes). This is a traditional, one-pot recipe that's simple, easy-to make, and gives the most flavorful results!

5 from 8 votes

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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.

5 from 18 votes

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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. Tested & perfected!!

5 from 24 votes

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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.

4.94 from 47 votes

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Pakistani Chicken Biryani (The BEST!)

An uncomplicated yet authentic Chicken Biryani recipe with simple, easy-to-follow instructions (no curveballs!) and mouthwatering, traditional Pakistani and Indian flavor. Tested to perfection!

5 from 51 votes

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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.

4.96 from 24 votes

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Instant Pot Pakistani Chana Pulao (Chickpea Pilaf) – 20-minute prep!

This Instant Pot Pakistani Chana Pulao is easy, flavorful, and it takes less than 20 minutes of total prep time! Perfect for a weeknight dinner yet elegant enough for guests. Naturally gluten-free and vegetarian! 

4.97 from 32 votes

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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!

5 from 21 votes

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Easy Pakistani Haleem Recipe (Instant Pot)

This Pakistani-style Haleem (or Daleem) recipe is authentic, full of classic flavor, and perfect consistency…Yet easy to achieve in the Instant Pot.

4.91 from 11 votes

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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.

5 from 56 votes

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Desserts

The BEST Instant Pot Kheer

This Instant Pot Kheer (Pakistani & Indian Rice Pudding) recipe has the classic flavor of old-fashioned kheer without the fuss. This is a restaurant-inspired recipe that's been rigorously tested and perfected until I can confidently call it the BEST Instant Pot kheer.

5 from 26 votes

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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.

5 from 7 votes

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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!

5 from 9 votes

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Drinks

20-Minute Kashmiri Chai (Pink Tea)

This easy, one-pot Kashmiri Chai recipe takes less than 20 minutes to make! This is not a traditional Noon Chai recipe, but an accessible version that's still delicious (and pink)! Make it with regular green tea leaves if you can't find Kashmiri tea leaves.

5 from 13 votes

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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.

5 from 11 votes

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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.

5 from 13 votes

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If you get a chance to try any of these recipes, I’d love to hear from you! If you have a moment, please leave a review telling me how it was. You can also share your creations on Instagram. Thank you!