Dairy-Free Nihari

Indulge in the rich, aromatic flavors of traditional Nihari with this dairy-free twist—perfect for those seeking a comforting, allergen-friendly meal. Our Dairy-Free Nihari recipe combines melt-in-your-mouth tender beef shank with a fragrant blend of spices like fennel, nigella seeds, and cinnamon, simmered low and slow for hours to create a velvety, deeply flavorful stew. The golden roasted wheat flour is whisked into the simmering broth, adding a luscious thickness without the need for cream or yogurt. Garnished with crispy fried onions, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of zesty lemon, this hearty dish is not only dairy-free but also packed with authentic taste. Serve this soul-warming stew with naan or steamed rice, and watch it become your go-to recipe for special occasions or cozy family meals.

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:240 mins

Total Time:260 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 kilogram beef shank
• 2 large onion
• 2 tablespoons ginger paste
• 2 tablespoons garlic paste
• 0.5 cup cooking oil
• 3 tablespoons wheat flour
• 10 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 2 teaspoons coriander powder
• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
• 1 teaspoon nigella seeds
• 1 whole star anise
• 5 pods green cardamom pods
• 5 cloves
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 0.5 cup fresh cilantro
• 2 lemon

Directions

Step 1

Thinly slice the onions and set aside.

Step 2

In a heavy-bottom pot, heat the oil over medium heat and fry the onions until golden brown. Remove half the onions and set aside for garnish.

Step 3

To the pot, add ginger and garlic paste, stirring briefly until fragrant.

Step 4

Add beef shank pieces and sear until browned on all sides.

Step 5

Mix in salt, red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder along with fennel seeds, nigella seeds, and stir to coat the meat with spices.

Step 6

Add 8 cups of water, bring to a boil then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for at least 3 hours or until the meat is tender.

Step 7

In a small pan, lightly roast wheat flour until golden. Gradually add 2 cups of water to the roasted flour, whisk continuously to make a smooth slurry.

Step 8

Strain the slurry through a sieve into the stew, stirring continuously to prevent lumps.

Step 9

In a small cloth or tea infuser, add star anise, cardamom pods, cloves, black peppercorns, bay leaves, and cinnamon, tie it up, and add to the stew.

Step 10

Simmer the stew for another 30 minutes, adjusting the consistency if needed by adding more water.

Step 11

Once thickened, remove from heat and discard the spice bag.

Step 12

Garnish the Nihari with reserved crispy onions, chopped cilantro, and squeeze fresh lemon juice over before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(4177.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3298.1

Total Fat 172.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 35.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 823.5mg	0%
Sodium 5044.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 129.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.9g	0%
Total Sugars 22.6g
Protein 326.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 894.0mg	0%
Iron 55.7mg	0%
Potassium 6322.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.0%

Protein: 38.6%

Carbs: 15.4%