A tomato forward beef/mutton stew, this Tamatar Gosht delivers big rich flavours that are easy to achieve and irresistible!
So for my meat loving tomato loving self Tamatar Gosht ranks pretty high in my list of favorite foods. It is not the same as my previously posted, but also delicious Bhunna Gosht - there is no boiling, no shredding, etc. This is a one pot dish that is delicious with a side of raita and your flatbread of choice.
My only complaint with this dish is that as opposed to a rice dish or a curry this doesn't stretch very far since there no fillers, just solid meat. You can easily double this recipe if needed and if you make it ahead then I would suggest reheating it on the stove. Beef chunks and microwaves are not good friends.
Four Key Tips for a Great Tamatar Gosht
1.) Bring the heat: This dish really is at it's best when you put as many green chilies as you can handle at the end. There is something about the counterpoint that the bright fiery aroma they provide to the richness of the tomato gravy that just works. Feel free to slice them lengthwise vs dice if you want to control the heat.
2.) Use tomato paste: When I don't have tomato paste handy I omit it, but it always seems like something is missing. In season tomatoes are epic, but often when we buy grocery store ones they haven't ripened on the vine so their flavour is not quite as rich. That's where a little tomato paste translates into a whole lot of magic.
3.) Bhunn Baby Bhunn: Like many masala based dishes a Tamatar Gosht is as good as how well sauteed it is to extract maximum flavour from your ingredients. It isn't necessarily fun to do, but it is 100% worth it.
4.) A little fat goes a long way: you want meat be it mutton or beef, the fat saves the final dish from getting dry!
Some More Gosht Based Recipes to Try
Tamatar Gosht
Ingredients
- 1 lb stewing beef/ beef cubes
- ½ cup diced onion
- 1 ½ tsp of garlic - if using fresh then 4-5 cloves
- 1 ½ tsp ginger - if using fresh then use 1 inch and grate it on a box grater
- 2-3 whole cloves
- 6-8 whole black peppers
- 1 inch piece cinnamon
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
- 4-5 tomatoes finely chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp red chilli powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- 2-3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp garam masala
- fistful of cilantro chopped
- 4-8 green chillies read above
- a squeeze of lemon juice optional
- ⅓ cup neutral oil like canola
Instructions
- Heat your oil in a large pot or wok
- Add the whole spices - cumin seeds, cloves, black pepper, cinnamon stick
- When they start to crackle then add the onions, saute till the edges turn golden brown
- Add the ginger and garlic, saute for a minute or two
- Now put in your powders/spices
- Cook till it forms a cohesive paste, adding a splash of water till necessary. It's done when a film of oil rises above the onion paste
- Throw in your tomatoes cooking on medium high heat until they soften, caramelize and become one with the spice paste.
- Time to add your meat, make sure to brown it evenly, once it is browned on each side add two cups of very hot water and cover your pot. For instant pot add 1.5 cup water.
- Bring the liquid in the pot to boil, then simmer for 45 minutes or an hour to get the meat super tender. If using the instant pot put it on manual (pressure) for 20 minutes then quick release.
- Dry up the water in the pot till the masala looks decidedly jammy and add your tomato paste, now check for seasoning.
- Add your garam masala, half your green chillies and half your cilantro. Give it a whirl and let it cook on low for 3-4 minutes then take it off the heat.
- Squeeze over a little lemon juice if you want then top with remaining chillies and cilantro.
Umm Abdillah says
Only ate Pakistani food one time in my life from a tiny restaurant here in Istanbul (very good and veeeery spicy chicken liver) and today made this delicious recipe because I had such nice beef cubes and craved this kind of spices. The recipe is very good and the taste turned out like expected! Thank you!!
Sarah Mir says
I am SO SO glad you enjoyed it!!! thank you for your review!
Aisha Iqbal says
I see tomatoes mentioned in the instructions but not in the list of ingredients. How many tomatoes do I use in addition to the tomato paste?
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
Hello! I see 4-5 chopped tomatoes in the recipe card when I look at it so perhaps it’s loading incorrectly at your end? Do let me know how it goes!
Nida says
I loved this recipe. Tasted just like my mom used to make. Thanks!
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
That is the BIGGEST compliment! thank you!
Sumaiyya says
I loved this! So good! I had some veal that I had previously pressure cooked, which I just shredded and added to this with a little bit of water.
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
How clever!!! Thank you so much for sharing a review!
Maryam Nasim says
For the instant pot version, are you cooking the whole recipe in the instant pot? Do you dry the water by putting it on Sauté mode? Thank you!
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
Hi Maryam!!! You are spot on that you dry the water by putting it on saute mode and yes you can do it start to finish in the IP!
Maheen says
Just a couple of questions.. when doubling, how much water? And, when simmering, cover the pot or not?
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
Hi Maheen! When doubling I would use 3 cups water, but just keep an eye on it. Also simmer covered, but do check in on it every now and then!
Maheen says
OMG! The best recipe ever!
sarahjmir@gmail.com says
Thank you Maheen!!!
Amir says
Absolutely amazing! Really flavorful and great with raita.
sarahjmir says
Thrilled to hear it 🙂
Habiba says
Ooh, I've only ever made timatar gosht once before and don't think it was a very good recipe, as it wasn't as good as I had imagined! I think I need to revisit it with this recipe 🙂
sarahjmir says
have you ever tried it with tomato paste? it somehow makes all the difference 🙂
Faheem Ahmad says
I make this dish at least once a week and nevee use tomato paste, instead i use fresh tomatoes 4 to 6 frozen the night before then peal off the skin (please soak the frozen tomatoes for 10 minutes and the skin just falls off then toss in the blender and you have real tomato paste with out the added chemical and ome less can for the recycling bin
Sarah Mir says
great tips! thanks for sharing!
Nish Kitchen says
I haven't tried this recipe before. But it looks soo good, I'm gonna make it tonight!
sarahjmir says
hope it turned out well! keep me posted either way, love feedback!
Nish Kitchen says
It was really good! Thanks for the recipe !!