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Bihari Boti

Name: Bihari Boti
Total time: 410 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 600 g Beef, boneless, cut into 3 cm cubes; 3 tbsp Raw papaya (tenderizer), raw papaya paste; 150 g Yogurt; 1 tbsp Ginger, made into a paste; 1 tbsp Garlic, made into a paste; 2 pc Onion, sliced, fried until deep brown and crushed; 50 ml Cooking oil, for frying the onions; 2 tbsp Mustard oil, mustard oil; 2 tsp Red chilli powder; 1 tsp Black pepper; 1 tsp Cumin seeds, roasted and ground; 1 tsp Coriander powder; 1 tsp Garam masala; 3 pc Green chilli, made into a paste; to taste Salt

410 min Hard 4 servings

Serves 4 · Total 410 min · Prep 380 min · Cook 30 min

Updated on 8 November 2026

Photo: Miansari66 / CC0 (Public Domain)

Cubes of beef marinated for hours in raw papaya, yogurt, fried onion, mustard oil and a dark spice mix, then grilled on skewers until charred at the edges and juicy inside. A Karachi barbecue classic brought by Bihari families, eaten wrapped in paratha with chutney and onions.

Quick answer: 410 min in total · serves 4 · main ingredients: Beef, Raw papaya (tenderizer), Yogurt, Ginger · amounts in metric and US

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Ingredients

Metric US

600 g 1.3 lb Beef, boneless, cut into 3 cm cubes
3 tbsp 3 tbsp Raw papaya (tenderizer), raw papaya paste
150 g 0.6 cup Yogurt
1 tbsp 1 tbsp Ginger, made into a paste
1 tbsp 1 tbsp Garlic, made into a paste
2 pc 2 pc Onion, sliced, fried until deep brown and crushed
50 ml 0.2 cup Cooking oil, for frying the onions
2 tbsp 2 tbsp Mustard oil, mustard oil
2 tsp 2 tsp Red chilli powder
1 tsp 1 tsp Black pepper
1 tsp 1 tsp Cumin seeds, roasted and ground
1 tsp 1 tsp Coriander powder
1 tsp 1 tsp Garam masala
3 pc 3 pc Green chilli, made into a paste
to taste to taste Salt

Steps

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Heat the 50 ml of oil and fry the sliced onions for about 10 minutes until deep brown and crisp. Drain, cool and crush them with your fingers.
⏱ Frying the onions · 10 min
Mix the crushed onion, papaya paste, yogurt, ginger, garlic, green chilli paste, mustard oil, chilli powder, pepper, cumin, coriander powder, garam masala and salt into a thick marinade.
Coat the beef cubes well, cover and marinate in the fridge for 6 hours. Do not go beyond 8 hours or the papaya will turn the meat mushy.
⏱ Marinating · 360 min
Thread the beef onto skewers, leaving a little space between the pieces. Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes first.
Grill over hot charcoal, or under a very hot oven grill at 230 C (445 F), turning every 3 to 4 minutes for about 15 minutes in total, until browned and charred at the edges and cooked through with no pink inside (at least 71 C / 160 F).
⏱ Grilling · 15 min
Rest the skewers for 5 minutes, then slide the boti off. Serve hot with paratha, tamarind or mint chutney and raw onion rings.
⏱ Resting · 5 min

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Bihari Boti take?

410 minutes in total: about 380 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of cooking.

Is Bihari Boti hard to make?

Degchi rates it hard. The method has 6 steps, and 4 of them have a timer you can start on this page.

How many people does Bihari Boti serve?

This recipe serves 4. Use the toggle above the ingredient list to see the amounts in metric or US measures. For more or fewer portions, scale every amount in the same proportion, or use the servings control in the Degchi app.

Is Bihari Boti halal, vegetarian or eggless?

It is marked halal in our recipe data. It is not vegetarian. It has no egg. It contains beef. Check the labels on any packaged ingredients for your own needs.

What will I probably need to buy for Bihari Boti?

Everyday staples that Degchi counts as pantry basics: cooking oil, red chilli powder, salt. Spice-box items: black pepper, cumin seeds, coriander powder, garam masala. Fresh items you will probably need to buy: beef, raw papaya (tenderizer), yogurt, ginger, garlic, onion, green chilli. Lentils, grains and other dry goods: mustard oil.

Any tips for making Bihari Boti?

Keep the cubes the same size so they finish together; trim big pieces of gristle first. Cooked beef keeps 3 days in the fridge; reheat in a pan or oven until steaming hot.