BEEF SHAMI KABAB, the name itself sounds royal. Representing a fusion of Middle Eastern and Asian cooking styles. The beef shami kabab recipe was introduced to South Asia during the Mughal period when Muslims from the Middle East migrated there. Beef shami kababs are considered the best to serve guests in South Asian countries, especially Pakistan.
An all-time favorite for everyone! The strong desire to always keep a freezer full of beef shami kababs, ready to cook any time, brings genuine happiness, and the stress when the stock starts running low is real too. Everyone can relate to this feeling right?
During Ramadan and Eid ul Adha, nearly every Pakistani mom prepares these delicious beef shami kabab, while some stock up on frozen kebabs for unexpected guests and tea time snacks.
Fun Fact About Shami Kabab
It may sound amusing, that shami kababs were first created by a talented chef of the Middle East for a toothless Nawab of Lucknow. The Nawab was so overweight from overeating that he could not ride a horse, and he had lost all his teeth, likely for the same reason. So, the chef made a kabab so soft that it did not need any teeth to eat it. Then, these kebabs became so famous that till now everyone likes them.
Ingredients Of Beef Shami Kabab
Since it was introduced to the present day, the beef shami kabab recipe has undergone many evolutions, with numerous variations now available. Here we are sharing our Pakistani recipe for beef shami kabab, a simple blend of meat with lentils and some desi spices that makes these kababs savory and aromatic.
You can make these tasty and delicious beef shami kababs with ground beef, beef shank, beef roast, or boneless beef. For “Resha wala” shami kabab, we prefer the boneless beef to attain a threaded texture.
For Cooking
- Water 4-5 Cups
- Boneless beef cubes1/2 Kg
- Ginger paste 1 ½ Tbs
- Garlic paste 2 Tbs
- Chany ki daal (Yellow split chickpeas) 250 Gms (Soaked for 1 hour in warm water)
- Onion 1 Medium
- Sabut laal mirch (Red chili whole) 12 to 15
- Laung (Cloves) 4-5
- Dar chini (Cinnamon) 3 Inch stick
- Tez path (Bay leaf) 1
- Zeera (Cumin seeds) 1 Tbs
- Kali mirch (Black pepper) 8-10 Balls
- Bari Elaichi (Black cardamom) 3
- Salt 2 Tsp or to taste
- Turmeric powder 1 Tsp
Forming Kabab
- Chopped green chilis 2-3
- Chopped cilantro 1/2 Bunch
- Chopped mint leaves 1/2 Bunch
- Small diced onion 3 Tbs
- Garam masala powder (ground spices) ⅓ Tbs
- Eggs 1-2
How To Make Pakistani Beef Shami Kabab
Stepping towards the making process of these mouth watering beef shami kabab. We recommend doubling or tripling the recipe as these kebabs take time to get ready, so freezing extra kebabs is worth the effort.
Cooking Meat and Lentils
First and foremost rinse the meat nicely under running water.
In a pot take meat, soaked lentils, ginger garlic paste, and all the spices that are mentioned above.
Add water in a pot (water should be enough to cover the meat properly.)
Cook them on a medium-high flame for about 15 minutes or until meat starts to boil then cover the lid and lower the flame.
Let the meat cook for another 45 minutes or until lentils and meat are super soft and mushy.
Dry out all the water completely by stirring it continuously, making sure that the meat does not stick to the bottom.
( you can also pressure cook for 20 minutes).
Frying Beef Shami Kabab
Once done with making the kabab patty, freeze the shaped patties for 10-15 minutes before frying. This helps them hold their shape better during frying.
Shallow fry them on a medium flame evenly from both sides until they turn golden brown.
Your beef shami kebabs are ready to serve.
How To Serve Beed Shami Kabab
Beef shami kebabs are all all-time favourite dish. Once you have prepared and frozen a large batch of shami kabab, now you have multiple options to eat them or to serve them to the guests.
You can make simple and flavorful shami bun kabab, by stuffing your bun with onion rings, cucumber, chutney, and of course shami kabab tikki.
You can prepare a quick and simple shami kabab sandwich for your kid’s lunch box or for snack time.
Serve them as a side dish with chicken karahi. Pulao and Biryani.
You can pair it with all sorts of chutney, raita, bread, and naan.
Frying and Freezing Tips For Beef Shami Kabab
Freezing is a must when it comes to beef shami kabab. When you are done with making kabab patties, place them on a tray or flat plate with some space between each patty, and then put them in a freezer to freeze. Once the kabab patties are solidly frozen, transfer them in a zip lock bag.
Whenever you take the kabab patties out to cook, defrost them at room temperature for 10 minutes before frying. This will help in good and evenly frying, otherwise the outer coating of the patty will remain raw from the center.
Deep frying is recommended for frozen kabab patty as shallow frying can cause the kebabs to break. Also, avoid flipping them again and again, this will break the patty and the kabab will not attain its texture and crispiness.
Reheating Leftover Shami Kababs
Some basic and simple steps can help you enjoy your leftover shami kebabs.
Add a small amount of oil to a nonstick skillet, place kebabs in skillet, and heat them on a medium flame for about 3-4 minutes on each side until thoroughly heated and crispy.
The quickest and easiest way is to reheat them in the microwave. You can also reheat them in the oven or air fry them.
FAQs
What is the best way to serve beef shami kabab?
Beef shami kebabs can be served hot with a side of chutney, salad, and raita. They can be served as a sandwich, burger, or wrap patty. They can also be served as a side dish with pulao, biryani, or karahi.
How should I defrost frozen shami kababs before cooking?
You can defrost beef shami kabab at room temperature before frying. This helps them to cook evenly and attain the best texture.
Can I bake beef shami kababs instead of frying them?
Yes, you can bake them in the oven instead of frying. Preheat the oven to 370 F (190 C), place the kabab on a baking sheet, and bake for 15 minutes or until cooked properly, flipping halfway through until golden brown.
How can I prevent my shami kababs from breaking while frying?
Make sure the mixture is well-ground and firm. Add beaten eggs to the mixture, this will help to bind the patty nicely. Handle them gently and avoid flipping too often while frying.