Savor the essence of the festival with 10 ideas for Eid Ul Adha recipes!

Eid-Al-Adha or Bakrid, known for its spiritual significance and communal celebrations, also brings with it a feast of flavours. From the aromatic Biryani to the sweet Sheer Khurma, each dish has its own story and traditional significance. 

Let’s explore 10 authentic Eid-ul-Adha Special Recipes from India and beyond its borders that are quintessential for celebrations, detailing their ingredients and methods of preparation.

1. Biryani
2. Sheer Khurma
3. Seekh Kebabs
4. Samosa
5. Haleem
6. Kunafa
7. Qatayef
8. Manaf
9. Mutton Keema
10. Mutton Korma

• Biryani

A delicious dish made with flavorful rice, spices, and tender meats cooked to perfection needs no introduction.  Yet here is the complete recipe for this Eid ul Adha dish. 

Ingredients:

• Basmati rice
• Chicken or lamb
• Onions, garlic
• Yogurt
• Spices like saffron, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon
• Herbs like mint and cilantro

Preparation:

1. Marinate the meat with yogurt, garlic, spices, and let it rest for a few hours.
2. Fry onions until golden, add the marinated meat, and cook until tender.
3. Parboil rice with whole spices.
4. Layer the cooked meat and rice in a pot, sprinkling layers with herbs and saffron-infused water.
5. Seal the pot and cook over a low flame to allow the flavours to meld.

• Sheer Khurma

This traditional sweet dessert for Eid ul Adha is made from vermicelli cooked in milk and enriched with dates, nuts, and dried fruits, offering a creamy and delicately sweet taste that is perfect for festive occasions.

Ingredients:

• Vermicelli noodles
• Milk
• Sugar
• Dates, almonds, pistachios
• Cardamom powder

Preparation:

1. Fry the vermicelli in butter until golden.
2. Boil milk and add the fried vermicelli, sugar, and cardamom.
3. Simmer until the milk thickens slightly.
4. Add chopped nuts and dates and serve warm.

• Seekh Kebabs

Seekh Kebabs are a special Eid ul Adha dish. They are made with minced meat seasoned with herbs and spices, then put onto skewers and grilled to perfection. They offer a smoky and savoury taste that's both juicy and incredibly flavourful. Here is a complete recipe for this Eid ul Adha dish. 

Ingredients:

• Ground lamb or chicken
• Onions, green chilies, cilantro
• Garlic paste
• Spices like garam masala, cumin, paprika
• Egg (for binding)
• Oil for grilling

Preparation:

1. Mix the ground meat with finely chopped onions, spices, garlic paste, and beaten egg.
2. Mold the mixture around skewers.
3. Grill over open flames or cook in a skillet until the kebabs are browned and cooked through.
4. Serve with mint chutney or yoghurt.

• Samosas

Originating from the Middle East and becoming the beloved snack for Indians, this deep-fried or baked pastry filled with spiced vegetables or meat is a popular snack that's both satisfying and delicious and a must in your Eid -ul adha recipe list.

Ingredients:

• Samosa wrappers
• Minced meat or mixed vegetables
• Peas
• Spices like turmeric, coriander, cumin
• Oil for frying

Preparation:

1. Cook the filling by sautéing minced meat or vegetables with spices and peas.
2. Fill the wrappers with the cooked filling and fold them into triangles.
3. Deep fry until golden and crisp.
4. Serve hot with tamarind or coriander chutney.

• Haleem

 A rich stew made from wheat, barley, lentils, and slow-cooked meat, typically seasoned with turmeric and garam masala. It's known for its thick, creamy texture and deeply comforting flavour profile.

Ingredients:

• Wheat, barley, lentils, and meat
• Onions, garlic, ginger
• Spices like cumin, coriander, garam masala
• Ghee or butter

Preparation:

1. Soak wheat, barley, and lentils overnight.
2. Cook the soaked ingredients with meat and spices until the meat is tender and the grains are completely broken down.
3. Blend the mixture to a thick, smooth consistency.
4. Fry some onions in ghee until crispy and use as a garnish.

• Kunafa

A Middle Eastern dessert made of spun pastry soaked in sweet syrup, layered with cheese or cream; it is beloved for its crunchy texture on the outside and soft, sweet filling inside.

Ingredients:

• Kunafa dough (shredded phyllo)
• Mozzarella or ricotta cheese
• Butter
• Sugar syrup
• Ground pistachios for garnishing

Preparation:

1. Layer half the kunafa dough in a tray and press down.
2. Spread the cheese over the dough, then cover with the remaining dough.
3. Drizzle melted butter over the top and bake in a preheated oven until golden.
4. Pour sugar syrup over the hot kunafa and garnish with pistachios.

• Qatayef

Sweet Arabic pancakes filled with cheese or nuts are folded into half-moons and fried or baked. This typical Eid-ul Adha dish is soaked in syrup, offering a moist, fluffy texture with a rich, sweet filling.

Ingredients:

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Milk or water
• Filling: nuts or sweet cheese
• Syrup or powdered sugar

Preparation:

1. Mix flour, baking powder, and milk to make a pancake-like batter.
2. Cook the batter in a hot non-stick pan until bubbles form.
3. Fill half-cooked pancakes with nuts or cheese and fold them.
4. Fry the filled qatayef until golden, then dip in syrup.

• Mansaf

A traditional Jordanian dish of rice, lamb, and fermented dried yogurt called jameed, garnished with nuts and parsley. It's celebrated for its unique, tangy flavour that contrasts beautifully with the tender, aromatic lamb.

Ingredients:

• Minced Lamb
• Yoghurt
• Rice
• Almonds and pine nuts
• Flatbread

Preparation:

1. Cook lamb in a seasoned broth until tender.
2. Prepare a sauce with yogurt and some of the lamb broth.
3. Lay flatbread on a serving platter, top with rice, then lamb.
4. Pour yogurt sauce over the dish and garnish with toasted nuts.

• Mutton Keema

Mutton Keema is a versatile and flavourful minced meat dish popular in South Asian cuisine. It is often spiced and can be used as a filling for samosas, served with bread, or as a hearty main course.

Ingredients:

• 500g minced mutton (lamb)
• 2 tablespoons oil or ghee
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 green chilies, finely chopped
• garlic, ginger, cinnamon stick, cardamom
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder coriander powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, red chili powder
• Salt, to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves, chopped, for garnish
• 1/2 cup peas (optional)
• 1/2 cup water

Preparation:

1. Heat Oil/Ghee: In a large pan, heat the oil or ghee. Add the cumin seeds and let them splutter.
2. Sauté Onions: Add the onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
3. Add Ginger and Garlic: Mix in the minced ginger and garlic, cooking until their raw smell fades away.
4. Spice It Up: Add the coriander powder, turmeric, red chili powder, and green chilies. Stir well and cook for a minute.
5. Cook Tomatoes: Add chopped tomatoes and cook until they soften and the oil starts to separate.
6. Add Mutton: Incorporate the minced mutton, breaking any lumps with the back of the spoon. Cook until it changes colour.
7. Simmer: Add water, cover, and simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the mutton is tender.
8. Add Peas and Garam Masala: If using peas, add them now and cook for another 5-7 minutes. Sprinkle garam masala and mix well.
9. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh coriander leaves. Serve hot with roti or as a side dish with rice.

• Mutton Korma

Mutton Korma is a rich and creamy dish known for its deep, aromatic flavours achieved through the slow cooking of mutton in a mixture of spices and cream or yoghurt.

Ingredients:

• 500g mutton, cut into pieces
• 2 tablespoons oil or ghee
• 2 large onions
• 1 cup yogurt
• garlic, ginger, cinnamon stick, cardamom
• 2 green chilies
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder coriander powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, red chili powder
• Salt to taste
• 1/4 cup fresh cream (optional)
• Almonds or cashews, blanched and pasted (optional for thickening)
• Fresh coriander leaves, for garnish

Preparation:

1. Brown Onions: In a heavy pan, heat oil or ghee. Fry onions until golden, set half aside for garnish.
2. Make Paste: In the same pan, sauté ginger, garlic, and green chilies. Add almond or cashew paste if using, and cook until oil separates.
3. Add Spices: Add cumin, coriander, turmeric, red chili powder, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon. Cook for a minute until fragrant.
4. Cook Mutton: Add mutton and salt, brown well to coat evenly with spices.
5. Add Yoghurt: Reduce heat, gradually add yoghurt while stirring to avoid curdling.
6. Simmer: Cover and simmer on low for 45-60 minutes, until mutton is tender. Stir occasionally, add water if needed.
7. Finish with Cream: Stir in fresh cream and garam masala, cook 10 more minutes.
8. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with reserved onions and coriander. Serve with naan, roti, or rice.

These dishes not only offer a glimpse into the culinary diversity of Bakrid but also bring a joyous taste. Whether you're cooking for your family or sharing these dishes with friends, they are sure to add to the festive atmosphere of your Bakrid celebrations. Enjoy the process of making these delicious Eid Al Adha dishes, and have a blessed Eid!