Egyptian Lahma Bil Basal Beef in Rich Onion Sauce

Delight in the comforting flavors of Egyptian cuisine with Lahma Bil Basal, a savory dish featuring tender beef simmered in a rich, caramelized onion sauce. This one-pot wonder combines succulent beef cubes with golden, slow-cooked onions, fragrant garlic, and warm spices like coriander, cumin, and cinnamon that evoke the essence of traditional Middle Eastern cooking. Enhanced with a touch of tomato paste and cooked to perfection in a flavorful broth, the result is a hearty, deeply aromatic dish perfect for family dinners or special occasions. Serve this luscious stew over fluffy white rice or with fresh flatbread to soak up every drop of the velvety sauce. Simple yet incredibly satisfying, Egyptian Lahma Bil Basal is the ultimate comfort food that brings a taste of Egypt to your table.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams beef (stewing cubes or chuck roast)
• 3 large yellow onions
• 4 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoons ghee or vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 500 milliliters water or beef stock
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Peel and thinly slice the onions. Mince the garlic and set aside.

Step 2

In a large pot or deep skillet, heat the ghee or vegetable oil over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the beef cubes to the pot and sear on all sides until browned. Remove the beef and set aside.

Step 4

In the same pot, add the sliced onions. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes or until the onions become golden and caramelized.

Step 5

Add the minced garlic to the onions and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 6

Stir in the ground coriander, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, ground black pepper, and salt. Cook for 1 minute to toast the spices and release their aroma.

Step 7

Return the beef to the pot. Stir in the tomato paste and mix well to coat the beef and onions.

Step 8

Pour in the water or beef stock. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 45 minutes. Check occasionally and stir to prevent sticking. Add a splash more water or stock if the sauce becomes too thick.

Step 9

Once the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency, taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 10

Serve hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Pair with white rice, flatbread, or a side of salad.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1033.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	492.5

Total Fat 29.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 17.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 71.7mg	0%
Sodium 3574.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 55.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 12.0g	0%
Total Sugars 21.5g
Protein 7.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 196.6mg	0%
Iron 5.0mg	0%
Potassium 1005.2mg	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: 51.8%

Protein: 5.8%

Carbs: 42.4%