So easy to make and it always receives rave reviews! Serve it as is, surrounded by crispy potatoes or make into paratha rolls. The possibilities are endlessly delicious! Stove top and Instant Pot instructions included!
If you have ever been invited over for anything at my house you have had this Bhuna Gosht. That is just a Fact. It is one of my favourite things to eat, to serve, to freeze, to share - you get the picture.
This Bhuna Gosht is a recipe I learnt from my eldest Khala (maternal aunt). She would freeze it and bring it to us in Karachi when she would come from Islamabad. It was one of those things where I wouldn't want to ask her if she brought it because that would be rude, but would be SO elated when she said she had. IYKYK.
What does this Bhuna Gosht taste like?
If you are a Pakistani Beef Recipes fan like myself then you know what's absolutely vital is cooking the meat just right. There is magic in the moment when your roti presses down on the meat and it just gives away. Like when you are eating that perfectly cooked Nihari - you know what I mean right?
This Bhuna Gosht is all those masala-licious meat moments in one dish.
The masala is tomato-y, garlicky, rich with spices and tender with the addition of yoghurt.
Bhuna Gosht or Resha Kabab
Bhuna Gosht means literally beef that's been cooked and sauteed. Resha Kabab means shredded meat kababs. My family has always called this dish Bhuna Gosht, but both names seem to refer to the same thing.
I polled my Instagram family to see what they thought and 55% thought Bhuna Gosht is the right name. Bhuna Gosht it is then 🙂
As a note let me say that I have seen recipes of Bhuna Gosht where the masala is the same and the meat isn't shredded. Feel free to skip the shredding if you so prefer, but I do recommend you try this at least once!
Two Ways to Cook Bhuna Gosht Stovetop
If you don't have an Instant Pot you have two easy options.
Approach One: Pre Boil Beef
One is that you boil the beef cubes, shred them and then cook them in the sauteed onion masala. Then add the tomatoes, bhunn bhunn bhunn (saute saute saute) until the tomatoes are absorbed. You will get a lovely dark color.
Approach Two: Slow Cook
The other approach is that you cook exactly as in the directions, but slow cook the meat where I pressure cook it. For this kind of beef I'd say simmer for 60-70 minutes and then check for tenderness. If you can break it with the back of a spoon you're good.
What meats can I use for Bhuna Gosht?
Any red meat works well! From mutton to lamb to veal, I have had readers use them all and love the results. The cooking process is so forgiving.
How do I make it ahead?
You can make the whole dish and freeze it for upto 3 months. Reheat it stove top and then garnish and serve.
What do I serve with it?
The options are endless and just a paratha or sheermal is a respectable answer, but here are some combinations you can try!
Made this recipe? Rate it by clicking the number of stars on the recipe card. Want to share your take with me? Tag me on Instagram @flourandspiceblog
Pakistani Style Bhuna Gosht (Instant Pot & Stove Top)
Equipment
- Instant Pot (or read notes for alternate instructions)
Ingredients
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 2 lbs Beef Cubes
- 3 Onions Diced
- 4-5 Tomatoes Chopped
- 1 tbsp Ginger Paste
- 1 tbsp Garlic Paste
- 2 tsp Salt
- 1 tbsp Red Chili Powder
- 1 tsp Coriander Powder
- ½ tsp Turmeric Powder
- 1 tsp Garam Masala
- ¾ cup Yogurt
Garnishes
- ½ cup cilantro
- 3-6 sliced green chilies
- julienned ginger (optional)
- juice of a quarter lemon
Instructions
- Put the IP on Saute mode (high heat) and heat about ¼ cup of oil.
- Once the oil is hot add the cumin seeds, let them sizzle
- Then add the onions and cook until they've completely softened and the edges start to turn golden
- Now add the garlic and ginger paste, cook for 60 seconds
- Add the salt, red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder and the beef cubes, mix, and brown the cubes well.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and 2 cups of water
- Put the Instant Pot on manual (high pressure) for 30 minutes
- Manual or Quick Release (see notes)
- Open the Instant Pot and cook on saute (high) and dry up the Masala - this takes about 15 minutes, you don't need to do much for the first ten or so.
- When the masala dries and the mixture starts to stick to the bottom then cook for a few minutes until the mixture darkens. If it starts to stick add a little oil.
- Now add the yogurt, mix well, cook for two minutes.
- Add the Garam Masala, taste and adjust seasoning.
- Top with the garnishes and serve with your favourite - roti, naan, sheermal, paratha, options are endless!
Notes
- This beef mix freezes well - save half for another time!
- To cook it stovetop: Boil the beef and shred it and then add to the masala when you would add the beef cubes OR slow cook for 70 minutes instead of pressure cooking.
- manual release= opening the steam valve as soon as your timer is done, this leads to a lot of steam releasing so I suggest putting a kitchen towel on top of the pressure valve to manage the steam
- natural release= turn your IP off, and wait 15 minutes for the pressure built up inside to naturally subside and then open the vent to release the rest!
Phenomenal recipe! The whole family enjoyed it! Thanks for this recipe, Sarah
I made this in the insta pot this evening and it was excellent! However it took WAY longer than your recipe suggested - it took 45 minutes to boil away the water and still there was some left - but we were too hungry to wait! We are gluten free so ate it in lettuce wraps and it was yummy!
Hi Maheen! Thanks so much for your feedback! I had put on a timer last time, but I am thinking perhaps the time difference is because I have an 8-quart? I'll add notes about time for sure, thank you!
Hey Sarah. The recipe doesnt mention when to shred the meat. Although ive made this a number of times and its a favourite at home. I thought for someone who will be trying it for the first time may want to know when to shred the meat.
Hi Zainab!!! I am so happy to hear that it's a family favourite! In this recipe because of the pressure cooking and the additional cooking as the masala gets reduced the meat tends to shred itself so I had not put shredding in the instructions. That said I should probably update them to explain this part!
Yes agreed - it took soooo long for the water to boil away so I ended up draining after 20 minutes - Do you think 1 cup of water would still make the recipe work? Made last night and it was great! Also - any thoughts on if I wanted to increase the spice level? Thanks!!
hmmm for spice level (and I've played with spice quantities) I find that if I add to much in the meat it ruins the balance and I am better off adding green chilies at the end!
I love the versatility of this recipe. Looks so delicious!
Thank you so much Mahreen!
Loved it! Everyone enjoyed this including my 10 month old.
I am SO thrilled to hear that! thank you!
Hi Sarah! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. I was just wondering if I can use 1 pound of beef instead and halve all the other ingredients?
Hi Neha! You absolutely can! Happy cooking!
Hi Sarah. Hope you're doing well. Just wanted to know if this recipe tastes the same as the one you shared on Lubna's blog a while back?
Hi Sehr! it is the same flavour, I just doubled this up and gave IP instructions because I got SO many requests for both!
Thank so much! =)
Also, when making it in the instant pot should I omit the whole spices mentioned in your precious recipe?
Hi Sehr! You can omit them or add them - up to you!
A favorite of ours!!
Thank you Saarah!!! I am SO glad to hear it!
Made it today, turned out absolutely amazing!! And the ingredients are so simple. So happy about it
Thanks so much for sharing that here Ayesha! Really appreciate it!
Perfect recipe for walaiti kids 🫣.. beautiful blend of spices.. and it’s so versatile.. we had with naan yesterday.. tomorrow I am going to make quesadilla for our picnic using same bhunna gosht and desi sloppy joes are in my mind too.
The only thing I did different was, I reduced the water to 1 cup and added only 1/2 cup yougart.. . 5/5.. thank you Sarah!
This turned out amazing!! I didn’t dry it up totally but just enough to leave a thick consistency. The taste is amazing! Great recipe, thanks!
I love that texture!!! It makes it so fun to scoop up and eat - thank you for trying it and leaving a review!
I made it for iftar recently and it was a HIT! So easy to put together in an instant pot and the end result was juicy tender shredded beef with just the right amount of flavor. This will be a regular in my dawats from now on 🙂
Thanks for sharing your amazing work.
I am thrilled to hear it! thank YOU so much for sharing your review!
Hi Sarah, thanks for the recipe. As an amateur in the kitchen, a few more details would be appreciated for this recipe in an instant pot. For example ‘put the instant pot on manual’ is that pressure cooker mode and on high setting?
Also when Sauté on step 9, should the lid remain off and should it be on high.
Thank you
HI Sameer! These are all great points - I am going to edit the post now to clarify, but yes manual=high pressure, and yes saute on high with the lid off, jumping over to make the edits now!
Just WOW! This recipe is sooooooo good! Tried making it for the first time now and am blown away! Authentic Pakistani flavors cannot wait to make it again, and we haven’t even had dinner yet 😅
Woohoo!!! Thank you so so much!
Hi Sarah, if I double the amount of meat, should I double the water and masala’s as well? It came out fantastic the first time so I want to double it this time.
Hey!! Yes! I’m so happy you enjoyed it and double everything but the time in the IP!
Loveee this recipe, it’s part of my regular rotation and a hit with everyone. I want to make it for a dawat and I wanna use 4 lbs of beef. Should I just double everything (including water, yogurt etc)? Or what do you recommend? Thanks!!
It is mt dawat go to too! Apologies for the late reply bit I have been traveling and just got back, a straight doubling works well!
This recipe has become a regular in our home. It is my daughters favorite meal, and I love how you can use the leftovers to make a quick wrap/roll or sandwich. The insta pot method make it easy for a quick weeknight meal.
Madiha you made my day!! Thanks for sharing that!
Maybe I did it wrong. As others said, way too long to reduce or boil water off. Most often i see searing the meat first or browning it first, removing, then doing the rest. Adding browned meat back in. Wasn’t sure how the meat would brown with everything else in. It cooks, but I don’t call that browning. Also, apparently yogurt in hot sauté mode soup curdles apparently toy. Granted I didn’t have it reduced all the way apparently. And I’m novice. I read later about tempering yogurt or reducing heat. Throwing yogurt in hot liquid doesn’t work.
Apparently the key is cooking off most of the water regardless of how long it takes, but that just further macerates anything else in there.
Of course, spice, meat, tomatoes, instapot. It’s going to taste good even when you do it wrong.
Hey Ali! Appreciate the detailed review - yes, the key is cooking the water off and yes it absolutely macerates everything in there, but that's the intended texture of this particular recipe. it is like a Pakistani version of pulled beef! You are absolutely right that I could revisit the water in this recipe, but the reality is that for meat to shred you almost need a fair bit of liquid so I wouldn't be able to drop it by a lot. The drying out is mostly hands off, and I will move the yoghurt note into the recipe card!
If I wanted to double this recipe, could I make it in one go in an 8 quart IP or would you recommend doing it in 2 batches? Also, this recipe is really a fan favorite!!
Yes! You can just do it in one batch - where it gets tricky is the bhunnai, there for larger batches I often will just do that part stovetop because it is faster!
Can we make this with mutton?
Absolutely! a lot of my UK based readers typically do!