Authentic Bhuna Curry Recipe 🍛🔥
Bhuna curry is a rich, thick, and flavorful dish where the meat is slow-cooked in a delicious blend of spices until it’s beautifully caramelized. Perfect with naan or rice!
Ingredients:
For the Bhuna Masala:
- 2 tbsp oil or ghee
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch ginger, grated
- 2 large tomatoes, chopped
- 1 green chili, chopped (optional)
Spices:
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp sugar (to balance acidity)
For the Protein:
- 500g chicken, lamb, or beef (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- ½ cup plain yogurt (for tenderness)
Optional Garnish:
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Squeeze of lemon juice
Instructions:
1. Sauté the Aromatics
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle for a few seconds.
- Add onions and cook until golden brown (about 10 minutes).
- Stir in garlic, ginger, and green chili. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
2. Build the Bhuna Base
- Add chopped tomatoes, turmeric, chili powder, coriander powder, and salt. Cook until the tomatoes break down and the mixture thickens (8-10 minutes). Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
3. Cook the Meat
- Add the chicken, lamb, or beef. Stir well, coating the meat in the thick masala.
- Pour in yogurt and mix well. Cover and cook on low heat, stirring occasionally, until the meat is tender (20-30 minutes for chicken, 1 hour+ for lamb or beef).
4. Finish & Serve
- Once the oil starts to separate, stir in garam masala and sugar. Simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Serving Suggestions:
🍛 Serve with warm naan, roti, or basmati rice.
🔥 Pair with a cooling raita or pickled onions for extra flavor!