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Home›Afghan Recipes

🇦🇫Afghan Recipes

Discover Afghan cuisine — hearty rice dishes, tender lamb, savory dumplings, and the legendary Kabuli Palaw.

77 recipes

Afghan cuisine is the unsung hero of Central Asian cooking. Sharing deep roots with Persian and Indian traditions, it has a distinct identity built around generous rice dishes, slow-braised meats, and hand-crafted dumplings (mantu, aushak). Kabuli Palaw — fragrant rice with carrots, raisins, and lamb — is the national dish and a symbol of Afghan hospitality.

🧂 Essential Pantry

CardamomCuminCorianderBasmati riceLamb/goatDried fruits (raisins, apricots)CarrotsFresh cilantroYogurtGreen chutney

📂 Browse by category

All (77)Main Courses (14)Desserts (12)Rice Dishes (12)Stews (12)Kebabs (8)Side Dishes (7)Breads (5)Soups (4)Appetizers (1)Drinks (1)Salads (1)

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Afghan · Main Courses
Mantu (منتو) — Afghan Steamed Dumplings with Yogurt and Meat Sauce
Mantu are iconic Afghan steamed dumplings filled with spiced onion and beef, served with garlicky yogurt and a tomato-lentil meat sauce. Popular at family gatherings, they showcase Central Asian technique with Afghan comfort-food flavors.
120 min 6 610 cal

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Afghan Seasonal Vegetable Polo — Fragrant layered rice with market vegetables - authentic afghan recipe

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Afghan · Rice Dishes

Afghan Seasonal Vegetable Polo (پلو افغانی فصل) — Fragrant layered rice with market vegetables

Polo Afghani Fasl is a harvest-style Afghan rice dish that layers fragrant basmati with colorful seasonal vegetables. It’s gently spiced with cinnamon and pepper, letting the natural sweetness of peas, corn, and tomatoes shine.

80 min 6 420 cal

Halwa-e Aurd-e Sujee — Afghan Semolina Halwa with Cardamom - authentic afghan recipe

Afghan · Desserts

Halwa-e Aurd-e Sujee (حلوای آرد و سوجی) — Afghan Semolina Halwa with Cardamom

A comforting Afghan halwa made by toasting semolina and flour in ghee, then enriching it with a cardamom-scented syrup. It’s commonly served with tea and offered to guests during family gatherings and religious occasions.

40 min 8 385 cal

Chainaki — Afghan One-Pot Lamb and Vegetable Broth - authentic afghan recipe

Afghan · Stews

Chainaki (چاینکی) — Afghan One-Pot Lamb and Vegetable Broth

Chainaki is a comforting Afghan one-pot dish where lamb, potatoes, tomatoes, and aromatics simmer gently into a light, fragrant broth. Traditionally cooked slowly and served family-style, it highlights simple ingredients and warm spices.

130 min 6 430 cal

Shorwa-e Murgh — Afghan Chicken and Turmeric Soup - authentic afghan recipe

Afghan · Soups

Shorwa-e Murgh (شوروا مرغ) — Afghan Chicken and Turmeric Soup

Shorwa-e Murgh is a comforting Afghan chicken soup gently spiced with turmeric and finished with bright lemon. It’s commonly served as a light meal with bread, especially in colder months and for family gatherings.

90 min 6 320 cal

Turshi Limu — Afghan-Style Salt-Preserved Pickled Lemons - authentic afghan recipe

Afghan · Side Dishes

Turshi Limu (ترشی لیمو) — Afghan-Style Salt-Preserved Pickled Lemons

Turshi Limu is an Afghan-style pickled lemon condiment, prized for its bright tang and salty depth. It’s served in small amounts alongside rice, kebabs, and stews to cut richness and wake up the palate.

30 min 24 12 cal

Chutney Gashneez — Afghan Fresh Cilantro and Green Chili Chutney - authentic afghan recipe

Afghan · Side Dishes

Chutney Gashneez (چتنی گشنیز) — Afghan Fresh Cilantro and Green Chili Chutney

Chutney Gashneez is a bright Afghan cilantro chutney blended with green chili, lemon, and garlic. It’s served at the table to cut through rich kebabs, rice, and stews with a clean, herbal heat.

10 min 8 28 cal

Qorma-e Alu Bukhara — Afghan Lamb Stew with Dried Plums - authentic afghan recipe

Afghan · Stews

Qorma-e Alu Bukhara (قورمه آلو بخارا) — Afghan Lamb Stew with Dried Plums

Qorma-e Alu Bukhara is an Afghan home-style lamb stew where sweet-tart dried plums melt into a glossy onion-tomato base. It’s often served with challow rice for gatherings, balancing rich meat with gentle fruit acidity.

130 min 6 520 cal

Lubia Polo — Afghan Rice with Green Beans and Lamb - authentic afghan recipe

Afghan · Rice Dishes

Lubia Polo (لوبیا پلو) — Afghan Rice with Green Beans and Lamb

Lubia Polo is a beloved Afghan rice dish where fragrant basmati is layered with tender lamb, green beans, and a tomato-rich masala. It’s often served family-style, showcasing Afghanistan’s love of aromatic rice and slow-simmered stews.

125 min 6 690 cal

Kabab-e Chopan Murgh — Afghan Grilled Chicken Chops with Herbs - authentic afghan recipe

Afghan · Kebabs

Kabab-e Chopan Murgh (کباب چوپان مرغ) — Afghan Grilled Chicken Chops with Herbs

Kabab-e Chopan Murgh is an Afghan-style grilled chicken kebab built on yogurt, herbs, and warm spices. It’s a backyard-grill favorite, often served with naan, chutney, and crisp onions for a bright, smoky meal.

43 min 4 430 cal

Kulcha-e Nawrozi — Afghan Nowruz Sugar Cookies with Cardamom - authentic afghan recipe

Afghan · Desserts

Kulcha-e Nawrozi (کلچه نوروزی) — Afghan Nowruz Sugar Cookies with Cardamom

Kulcha-e Nawrozi are festive Afghan cookies baked for Nowruz, scented with cardamom and traditionally shaped or stamped for celebration trays. Crisp at the edges and tender in the center, they pair beautifully with tea during spring gatherings.

39 min 24 155 cal

Jelabi — Afghan Crispy Fried Funnel Cake in Rose Syrup - authentic afghan recipe

Afghan · Desserts

Jelabi (جلبی) — Afghan Crispy Fried Funnel Cake in Rose Syrup

Jelabi is a beloved Afghan sweet of crisp, lacy spirals fried until golden, then soaked in fragrant rose syrup. Often served for guests and celebrations, it balances crackly texture with floral sweetness.

60 min 8 330 cal

Qaimaq Chai — Afghan Pink Cardamom Tea with Clotted Cream - authentic afghan recipe

Afghan · Drinks

Qaimaq Chai (قیماق چای) — Afghan Pink Cardamom Tea with Clotted Cream

Qaimaq Chai is a beloved Afghan tea where fragrant cardamom milk tea turns a delicate pink and is finished with rich qaimaq (clotted cream). Served for guests and family gatherings, it balances gentle spice, sweetness, and luxurious creaminess.

35 min 4 260 cal

Do Piaza Murgh — Afghan Chicken with Double-Onion Curry - authentic afghan recipe

Afghan · Main Courses

Do Piaza Murgh (دو پیازہ مرغ) — Afghan Chicken with Double-Onion Curry

Do Piaza Murgh is a beloved Afghan-style chicken curry built on two stages of onions for deep sweetness and body. It’s gently spiced, fragrant, and perfect with rice or naan, showcasing the region’s fondness for slow-cooked onion gravies.

75 min 4 520 cal

Korma-e Kadu — Afghan Sweet Pumpkin Stew with Tomato and Spices - authentic afghan recipe

Afghan · Stews

Korma-e Kadu (کدو) — Afghan Sweet Pumpkin Stew with Tomato and Spices

Korma-e Kadu is an Afghan home-style pumpkin stew where tender squash is simmered in a lightly sweet tomato-onion sauce. Often served with rice and yogurt, it balances warm spices with gentle sweetness for a comforting, family-style meal.

75 min 4 260 cal

Boulanee Kachaloo — Afghan Potato-Stuffed Fried Flatbread - authentic afghan recipe

Afghan · Side Dishes

Boulanee Kachaloo (بولانی کچالو) — Afghan Potato-Stuffed Fried Flatbread

Boulanee kachaloo is a beloved Afghan street food: thin flatbread stuffed with spiced potatoes and herbs, then pan-fried until crisp. It’s commonly served with yogurt-garlic sauce and chutney at gatherings and tea-time meals.

75 min 6 430 cal

Salata-e Afghan — Afghan Fresh Tomato, Onion, and Cilantro Salad - authentic afghan recipe

Afghan · Salads

Salata-e Afghan (سالاد افغانی) — Afghan Fresh Tomato, Onion, and Cilantro Salad

Salata-e Afghan is a bright, everyday Afghan salad of juicy tomatoes, crisp onion, and cilantro, lightly dressed with lemon and oil. It’s commonly served alongside kebabs, rice dishes, and hearty stews to add freshness and acidity.

15 min 4 95 cal

Shola-e Shireen — Afghan Sweet Rice with Nuts and Orange Peel - authentic afghan recipe

Afghan · Desserts

Shola-e Shireen (شله شیرین) — Afghan Sweet Rice with Nuts and Orange Peel

Shola-e Shireen is a celebratory Afghan sweet rice, gently perfumed with saffron, cardamom, and citrus peel. It’s often served at gatherings and holidays, finished with nuts for richness and a jewel-like look.

80 min 8 420 cal

Murgh Korma — Afghan Braised Chicken in Mild Yogurt Sauce - authentic afghan recipe

Afghan · Stews

Murgh Korma (کورمه مرغ) — Afghan Braised Chicken in Mild Yogurt Sauce

Murgh Korma is a classic Afghan-style chicken braise where onions are slowly caramelized, then simmered with warm spices and yogurt for a gentle, creamy sauce. It’s traditionally served with long-grain rice and a bright salad to balance the richness.

90 min 4 520 cal

Kachalu Tikka — Afghan Crispy Spiced Potato Wedges - authentic afghan recipe

Afghan · Side Dishes

Kachalu Tikka (کچالو تکّه) — Afghan Crispy Spiced Potato Wedges

Kachalu Tikka is a beloved Afghan street-style snack of crisp potato wedges tossed in warm spices and brightened with lemon. It’s often served with chutney and tea, making it a simple, satisfying bite with bold flavor.

45 min 4 360 cal

Aush — Afghan Noodle Soup with Kidney Beans and Yogurt - authentic afghan recipe

Afghan · Soups

Aush (آش) — Afghan Noodle Soup with Kidney Beans and Yogurt

Aush is a beloved Afghan noodle soup enriched with beans, herbs, and warming spices, then finished with garlicky yogurt. It’s commonly served as a comforting family meal, especially in cooler months, with a bright herb topping and a gentle tang.

80 min 6 520 cal

Kabab-e Degi — Afghan Pan-Fried Lamb Kebab with Tomato-Onion Gravy - authentic afghan recipe

Afghan · Kebabs

Kabab-e Degi (کباب دیگی) — Afghan Pan-Fried Lamb Kebab with Tomato-Onion Gravy

Kabab-e Degi is a beloved Afghan home-style kebab cooked in a pan, where lamb patties simmer in a fragrant tomato-onion gravy. It delivers the comfort of kebab without a grill, and is often served with rice and fresh herbs.

65 min 4 520 cal

Haft Mewa — Afghan Seven-Fruit Nowruz Compote - authentic afghan recipe

Afghan · Desserts

Haft Mewa (هفت میوه) — Afghan Seven-Fruit Nowruz Compote

Haft Mewa is a cherished Afghan Nowruz tradition: dried fruits and nuts are soaked until they bloom into a fragrant, naturally sweet compote. Served at the new year table, it symbolizes abundance, renewal, and hospitality.

20 min 8 245 cal

Gosh-e Fil — Afghan Elephant Ear Pastries with Cardamom - authentic afghan recipe

Afghan · Desserts

Gosh-e Fil (گوش فیل) — Afghan Elephant Ear Pastries with Cardamom

Gosh-e Fil are crisp, puffed Afghan-style fritter pastries shaped like “elephant ears,” scented with cardamom and finished with syrup. They’re a festive tea-time sweet often served to guests, especially during holidays and family gatherings.

60 min 10 330 cal

Afghan Recipes — Page 2 — Zaffaron