Are you looking for some Eid recipes, some festive ideas, some good-ol’ foodie inspiration? A very much relatable problem. When it comes down to the grand day, it does often feel like you get overwhelming chef’s block, with suddenly no idea of what to cook! Been there, done that!
I’ve compiled a list of very Eid-able recipes for you to take inspiration from and cook. Traditionally, Eid is a rather meaty affair in Pakistani culture, therefore this compilation is a reflection of that.
The list also ends with a few classic Pakistani desserts – no Eid is complete without at least one of them!
How to make your Eid hosting a little easier
Hosting for Eid when you’ll be having a large crowd is no joke! Here are a few tips from me to give you a helping hand before sharing with you my Eid recipes:
- It is absolutely imperative you decide what you’ll be cooking a few days in advance to save you a whole load of headache and hassle. Knowing what you’ll be cooking makes arranging for all the ingredients and knowing what you’ll be doing A LOT more easier
- Speaking of advance, make sure you write up a list of all the ingredients you’ll be needing for your Eid cooks and ensure you purchase them ideally 1-2 days before Eid. Don’t leave anything to the last minute, even if it seems like something mundane such as sugar. Really, the less hassle, the better!
- Some recipes can be prepared in advance the night before either fully or partially. Try to do whatever prep you can do the day/night before to ensure your workload on Eid day is as light as possible
- Even if you can’t do any actual cooking the day before, it is very much worthwhile getting any chopping, peeling, shredding etc done the day before
- Enlist all the help you can get, even if it’s for little things such as peeling the garlic, preparing the salad, stirring the pot. Every little helps!
- Enjoy the day! My best advice is don’t let Eid become all about slaving away in the kitchen – it’s Eid day for you too! Enjoy your day with your friends and family and don’t get hung up about serving up a feast fit for a king. Do what you can manage without stressing yourself out. Eid is about being happy and spending time with your loved ones – food does play a big role in Eid, yes, but it should never be at the expense of how you feel!
And I also hope you have a beautiful, wonderful Eid filled with love, laughter and good memories.
Learn how to host the BEST parties and dawat without the anxiety!
If hosting and entertaining makes you stressed and you don’t know where to begin with the cooking, cleaning, time management, house arrangements etc then my ebook The Desi Dawat Guide is the guide you need! I break down all the elements of hosting in my guide, including how to effectively manage the cooking, how to plan a mean menu, what sort of equipment and dishware you should have and I even have over 31 set menus in case you can’t decide on what to cook! Find out more about The Desi Dawat Guide here!
Eid Rice Recipes
Sindhi Lamb Biryani
My go-to lamb biryani recipe is perfect for Eid!
Kabuli Pilau
Perfect for adding that WOW factor to your Eid spread!
Lamb Pilau
A family favourite – My Lamb Pilau is one of my most frequently cooked meals at home and happens to be one I never mess up. Try it out – I’m certain it’ll become a firm favourite for your house too!
Mutton Pilau
This classic Mutton Pulao recipe is great for a homely meal and also good enough for Eids, dinner parties and bigger events. A family favourite.
Chicken Pilau
If you’re not so comfortable cooking with red meat, chicken pilau is the perfect rice dish to cook! It’s quick cooking, easy and loved by everyone!
Lamb/Mutton/Beef Recipe for Eid
Aloo Gosht
Comfort food at its finest. A family favourite worthy of both a quiet night in and for guests at a dinner party. Serve with chapattis or basmati rice (my favourite is rice!)
Bhuna Gosht
This delicious curry is a keeper! Throw everything into a pot and allow it to simmer for 1 hr and when the times up, add in some oil and saute the curry till it’s at a consistency you like! So simple and such little effort required for a really tasty dish!
Gosht Dopiaza
This is a perfect dish for a busy day like Eid! Pop everything into a large pot, turn the heat to low and let this flavour party simmer away for an hour or so till ready!
Lamb/Mutton Karahi
Delicious, luxurious and authentic lamb & mutton Karahi recipe for the win! When you want something special, this one is a winner
Mutton Korma
Dal Gosht
This comforting, hearty Dal Gosht is a classic Pakistani and North Indian dish with a bit of a more-ish touch. The list of instructions may seem long, but cooking this is a relatively straight forward process
Chicken Recipes For Eid
Chicken Karahi
My classic, most popular recipe – and it’s popular for a reason! It’s so tasty, so difficult to mess up and is perfect for your Eid spread!
Kofta Curry
Koftas are some effort, that’s for sure, but a sure fire way to add some ‘WOW’ to the table!
Chicken Korma
An authentic, rich and luxurious korma is perfect to serve on a special occasion or get-together. This recipe is the real deal, with lots of warming spices and deep flavour. Pairs perfectly with some naan, sheermaal or taftaan.
Bhuna Chicken
I love the simpicity of this recipe. It’s so easy to make but packs in such flavour! This curry is on the spicy side so adjust the red chilli accordingly if you so wish. Don’t miss out the paprika as it is for the red colour.
Chicken Jalfrezi
Lahori Chargha
A high-impact, show stopping dish – this is great to have as the main feature of your Eid menu!
Other Recipes For Eid
Kaleji Masala
A common appearance on the Eid-ul-Adha table, this kaleji recipe is so delicious and lays out all you need to know about cooking this oft-tricky organ meat!
Prawn Karahi
Keema Naan
This stuffed Keema Naan recipe is an absolute treat – just like the Naans served at the restaurants!
Shami Kebab
This authentic Pakistani Shami kebab recipe is a delicious and crowd-pleasing item that goes well served at chai time and also as part of a proper meal. The texture is meaty yet tender and I urge you to try this recipe!
Chapli Kebab
Roghni Naan
If you’re up for making your own naan at home to serve alongside your curries, this roghni naan is a no-fail, delicious buttery naan we love having on special occasions!
Dessert Recipes For Eid
Sheer Khurma
Zarda
Kheer
Gajar Ka Halwa
27+ Eid Recipes | Special Eid Dishes | Eid Food Ideas + Sheer Khurma Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup chopped nuts
- 5-8 chopped dried dates (if preferred)
- 2tbsp ghee
- Half a packet of roasted vermicelli (100g), broken into small pieces
- 4 cups full-fat milk
- 1/2 cup double cream (heavy whipping cream in the US) (optional)
- 1tsp cardamom powder
- 2tbsp kewra water
- 6tbsp sugar (or to taste)
Instructions
- Heat the ghee in a pot or pan. Toast the nuts in the ghee until they become fragrant a brown, stirring continuously to avoid burning, about 3-5 minutes. Remove using a slotted spoon and set aside
- In the remaining ghee, add the vermicelli. Toast this on a medium heat, stirring continuously until the vermicelli becomes golden, about 5 minutes
- Add the remaining ingredients to the vermicelli (not the nuts). Cook this on a low to medium heat, stirring continuously until the milk thickens and begins to take the form/thickness you desire, about 10-15 minutes
- Once thickened to your liking, turn the heat off and stir in the nuts
- Garnish with nuts and dried fruit (optional)
Enjoy, with love x
Baria
Tuesday 5th of July 2022
Thanks, I'm finding your website so useful. I'm fairly new at cooking and look forward to trying more of your recipes!
Fatima
Tuesday 7th of March 2023
Thank you for pointing out, Joe. I have amended this. You were right to assume 1.5 tbs grated ginger
Toby
Tuesday 26th of April 2022
Wow -- this is like a whole cookbook. Thank you!
Fatima
Tuesday 26th of April 2022
Hope it comes in handy!