Vegetarian Beef Nihari

Experience the hearty, spice-packed goodness of 'Vegetarian Beef Nihari,' a plant-based twist on the classic Pakistani slow-cooked stew. This recipe masterfully combines tender jackfruit and earthy mushrooms as satisfying meat substitutes, simmered in a luscious, yogurt-infused gravy brimming with bold nihari masala spices. Caramelized onions, ginger, and garlic create a rich flavor base, while a delicate flour slurry ensures the perfect velvety texture. Ready in just two hours, this one-pot dish is garnished with fresh cilantro and a zing of lemon, making it ideal for pairing with fluffy naan or fragrant basmati rice. Perfect for vegetarians craving authentic South Asian flavors, this wholesome comfort food delivers on taste, tradition, and nutrition!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:120 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams Jackfruit (canned or fresh)
• 250 grams Mushrooms (preferably shiitake or button)
• 4 tablespoons Vegetable oil
• 2 large Onion
• 4 cloves Garlic
• 2 inches Ginger
• 2 whole Green chilies
• 3 tablespoons Nihari masala
• 200 grams Plain yogurt
• 3 tablespoons All-purpose flour
• 1 liter Water
• 2 tablespoons Cilantro
• 1 whole Lemon
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Begin by draining and rinsing the canned jackfruit to remove any brine flavor. If using fresh jackfruit, cut and clean it to get about 500 grams of flesh.

Step 2

Thinly slice the mushrooms. Peel and finely slice the onions.

Step 3

In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until they are golden brown.

Step 4

Meanwhile, puree the garlic and ginger together into a paste using a mortar and pestle or a small food processor.

Step 5

Add the garlic-ginger paste and finely chopped green chilies to the browned onions and fry for an additional 2 minutes.

Step 6

Add the nihari masala and briefly sauté until the spices release their aroma.

Step 7

Lower the heat and add the plain yogurt gradually, stirring continuously to prevent curdling.

Step 8

Add the jackfruit and mushrooms to the pot and stir well to coat them with the spice mix.

Step 9

In a separate bowl, mix the all-purpose flour with a little of the water to form a smooth slurry.

Step 10

Pour the remaining water and the flour slurry into the pot. Stir to combine and increase the heat to bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

Step 11

Add salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 12

Cover the pot partially and lower the heat. Let the mixture simmer for 1 hour or until the jackfruit is tender and the flavors meld together. Stir occasionally and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 13

Once cooked, garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.

Step 14

Serve hot with naan or steamed basmati rice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2615.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1515.6

Total Fat 63.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 11.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 33.8g
Cholesterol 12mg	0%
Sodium 5750.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 227.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.6g	0%
Total Sugars 137.1g
Protein 40.2g	0%

Vitamin D 113.5IU	0%
Calcium 758.7mg	0%
Iron 9.1mg	0%
Potassium 4724.3mg	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: 34.9%

Protein: 9.8%

Carbs: 55.3%