Looking for traditional Pakistani Eid recipes? Discover what’s commonly served on Eid‑al‑Fitr and Eid‑al‑Adha, plus a curated collection of 32+ tested, easy Pakistani recipes perfect for your Eid table.
What is Eid?
There are two major Eids each year: Eid‑al‑Fitr and Eid‑al‑Adha.
- Eid‑al‑Fitr (often called choti Eid or “small Eid”) is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal to mark the end of Ramadan.
- Eid‑al‑Adha (often called bari Eid or “big Eid”) is observed around the 10th‑13th days of Dhu al‑Hijjah and commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son.
What to cook on Eid‑al‑Fitr
Eid‑al‑Fitr celebrations typically start with a light pre‑prayer bite: a date or a small serving of a traditional sweet like Sheer Khurma (Doodh Seviyan) or Phirni. After the Eid prayer, families often host brunches and offer sweets and chai.
What to cook on Eid‑al‑Adha
On Eid‑al‑Adha many households prepare dishes using the qurbani meat. Expect rich, meat‑forward recipes featuring goat, lamb, or beef.
Planning a Pakistani‑style Eid dawat
Pakistani Eid gatherings often include brunch or dinner spreads:
- Brunch might include pooris and halwa, Dahi Bhalla, samosas, chicken pastries, nihari, and Sheer Khurma or kheer for dessert. Chai and lassi are common beverages.
- Dinner tends to feature celebratory mains like haleem, nihari, mutton pulao, and chicken or meat biryani served with raita and fresh salads.
Top 32+ Pakistani Eid Recipes
Navigation
🍮 Classic Eid Desserts
🍗 Appetizers & Sides (including kebabs)
🥤 Eid Drinks
🥘 Eid Main Dishes — Rice, Beef/Mutton/Lamb, Chicken, Vegetarian
🥣 More resources and Eid recipes on the blog
Classic Eid Desserts
20‑Minute Seviyan (Sheer Khurma)
Quick, creamy vermicelli pudding flavored with cardamom, milk, dates, and nuts. Ready in about 20 minutes and perfect for Eid mornings.
Meethi Seviyan (Dry/Sukhi Seviyan)
A nostalgic dry sweet vermicelli cooked in cardamom syrup with nuts — a fuss‑free dessert that’s ready in 20 minutes.
30‑Minute Gulab Jamun
Soft, juicy gulab jamun made quickly using milk powder for a reliable, restaurant‑style sweet.
Easy Ras Malai (Milk Powder Method)
A foolproof ras malai that’s surprisingly simple using milk powder — best served chilled.
Zarda (Meethe Chawal — Sweet Rice)
Old‑school sweet rice with saffron, nuts, and a warm aroma — simple and nostalgic.
Instant Pot Kheer
Classic rice pudding made effortless in the Instant Pot for creamy, consistent results.
Carrot Halwa (Gajar Ka Halwa)
A classic carrot halwa that’s rich but balanced — easier to make without sacrificing authentic flavor.
Sooji ka Halwa (Semolina Halwa)
The classic semolina halwa, made in about 20 minutes from a few simple ingredients.
Crushed Pineapple Dessert
A 6‑ingredient chilled dessert that’s quick to prepare and perfect for make‑ahead entertaining.
Eid Appetizers & Sides
Crispy Keema Samosas
Flavorful minced meat samosas with an easy folding method so you can make them without frustration.
Chicken Puff Pastry (Pakistani Chicken Patties)
Bakery‑style puff pastries with creamy chicken filling — great for parties and tea time.
Chicken Spring Rolls
Crispy, flavorful spring rolls with an Indo‑Chinese twist. Easy to make with a step‑by‑step roll tutorial.
Keema Naan
Stuffed naan with spiced minced meat, baked for a showstopping side to main dishes.
Chapli Kabab
A flavorful, slightly tangy Afghan/Pakistani style kabab — perfect as a starter or as part of the main spread.
Pakistani Seekh Kebab
Ground meat skewers that can be pan‑fried, baked, or air‑fried — tender, spiced, and crowd‑pleasing.
Dahi Bhalla (Dahi Bara)
Soft lentil‑based fritters soaked in seasoned yogurt and chutneys — a perfect cool, savory starter.
Shami Kebab
Tender, seasoned patties made with beef and chana dal. Includes stovetop and Instant Pot methods.
Chicken Tikka Club Sandwiches
Party‑style sandwiches with saucy tikka chicken and crisp veggies — great for brunch or tea.
Easy Vegetable Raita
A refreshing yogurt condiment made in 15 minutes — ideal alongside biryani and spicy mains.
10‑Minute Mint Raita
A zesty cilantro‑mint yogurt chutney that pairs with grilled and fried dishes.
Traditional Eid Drinks
Authentic Pakistani Chai
Stovetop brewed Pakistan‑style tea with rich, warming spices — a must for Eid gatherings.
Masala Chai (Spiced Tea)
A spiced tea brewed with whole spices and black tea bags — comforting and familiar.
Kashmiri Chai (Pink Tea)
An iconic pink tea made with green tea leaves and baking soda for color and flavor — ready in 20 minutes.
Mango Lassi
A creamy, restaurant‑style mango lassi that’s refreshing and indulgent — perfect for summer Eids.
Sweet Lassi
A classic Punjabi lassi made with yogurt and a touch of cream for rich, refreshing taste.
Party Mint Lemonade
A restaurant‑style mint lemonade (virgin mojito style) that’s easy, scalable, and crowd‑pleasing.
Main Dishes for Eid
Rice Main Dishes
Pakistani Chicken Biryani
An authentic chicken biryani with layered rice and meat, steamed (dum) for deep flavor and fragrance.
Mutton Pulao (Goat/Lamb Pulao)
A fragrant pulao with tender goat or lamb, designed to scale for guests and made without fuss.
Pakistani Chicken Pulao (Yakhni Pulao)
A simple, flavorful chicken pulao cooked in fragrant yakhni (stock) for tender meat and fluffy rice.
Beef, Mutton & Lamb Main Dishes
Mutton Korma
A rich lamb or goat korma that’s approachable and classic in flavor — great with naan or rice.
Mutton Karahi
A restaurant‑style karahi with bold, tomato‑and‑ginger flavors and tender meat.
Instant Pot Pakistani Haleem
A rich, slow‑cooked porridge of meat, lentils, and grains adapted for the Instant Pot for ease and consistency.
Nihari (Beef Stew)
Slow‑braised beef stew with deep, warming spices — often served for special breakfasts or dinners.
Instant Pot Beef Curry
A flavorful beef curry adapted for the Instant Pot — fast, tender, and full of spice.
Beef Kofta Curry
Comforting meatball curry in a spiced gravy — a classic that’s great for large gatherings.
Chicken Main Dishes
Tandoori Chicken
Smoky, marinated chicken finished under high heat for charred, restaurant‑style results.
Chicken Chargha
A whole chicken steam‑roasted with bold Lahori flavors — crispy outside, tender inside.
Authentic Chicken Curry (Salan)
A homestyle chicken curry with balanced spices — simple, one‑pot, and satisfying.
Chicken Karahi
A bright, tomato‑and‑ginger forward karahi that’s quick to prepare and full of flavor.
Butter Chicken
A crowd‑pleasing creamy tomato chicken perfected for reliable, restaurant‑style results.
Baked Tandoori Chicken Curry
An oven‑baked version of tandoori chicken that delivers smoky flavor with minimal fuss.
Vegetarian Main Dishes
Matar Paneer
Peas and paneer in a rich tomato gravy — restaurant‑style yet approachable for home cooks.
Palak Paneer
Creamy spinach curry with paneer — comforting, nutrient‑rich, and well suited for large meals.
Chana Masala
A hearty chickpea curry that’s vegan, aromatic, and very satisfying with rice or naan.
Bagara Baingan / Aloo Baingan
South/North Indian style eggplant (and potato) curries simplified for home cooks.
Baingan Bharta
Oven‑roasted or broiled eggplant mashed with spices and tomatoes for a smoky, homestyle curry.
Punjabi Kadhi Pakora
Tangy yogurt gravy with spiced gram‑flour fritters — comforting and traditional, with stovetop and Instant Pot options.
More Resources
Browse Ramadan and Eid recipe collections for more ideas. For make‑ahead menus, check freezer‑friendly recipes and planning guides, and consider small foodie gifts for visiting guests.
Happy Eid planning — may your table be full of flavor, family, and cherished traditions.