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Kala Bhuna (Black Beef Bhuna)

Name: Kala Bhuna (Black Beef Bhuna)
Total time: 140 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 kg Beef, cut into medium pieces; 4 pc Onion, thinly sliced; 2 tbsp Ginger, made into a paste; 2 tbsp Garlic, made into a paste; 2 tbsp Red chilli powder; 1 tsp Turmeric; 1 tbsp Cumin seeds, ground; 1 tbsp Coriander powder; 5 pc Cardamom; 2 pc Cinnamon; 2 pc Bay leaf; 8 tbsp Mustard oil; to taste Salt; 100 g Yogurt

140 min Hard 6 servings

Serves 6 · Total 140 min · Prep 20 min · Cook 120 min

Updated on 1 October 2026

Photo: Dolon Prova / CC BY-SA 4.0

Chittagong's famous near-black beef, cooked for hours in its own fat and spices with no extra water until the masala turns almost burnt-looking but tastes deep and smoky rather than bitter. One of the longest-cooked everyday dishes in Bangladeshi cuisine.

Quick answer: 140 min in total · serves 6 · main ingredients: Beef, Onion, Ginger, Garlic · amounts in metric and US

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Ingredients

Metric US

1 kg 2.2 lb Beef, cut into medium pieces
4 pc 4 pc Onion, thinly sliced
2 tbsp 2 tbsp Ginger, made into a paste
2 tbsp 2 tbsp Garlic, made into a paste
2 tbsp 2 tbsp Red chilli powder
1 tsp 1 tsp Turmeric
1 tbsp 1 tbsp Cumin seeds, ground
1 tbsp 1 tbsp Coriander powder
5 pc 5 pc Cardamom
2 pc 2 pc Cinnamon
2 pc 2 pc Bay leaf
8 tbsp 8 tbsp Mustard oil
to taste to taste Salt
100 g 0.4 cup Yogurt (Optional)

Steps

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Marinate the beef with yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, all the spice powders and salt; leave for 30 minutes.
⏱ Marinating · 30 min
Heat the mustard oil and fry the sliced onions until very deep brown, almost caramelised.
⏱ Deep-frying the onions · 15 min
Add the whole garam masala, then the marinated beef; cook uncovered on medium-high heat, stirring often.
⏱ Browning the beef · 15 min
Lower the heat and cook covered, stirring every 10-15 minutes, adding no water — letting the meat cook in its own juices for a long time.
⏱ Slow-cooking without water · 90 min
Continue cooking uncovered on low heat until the masala turns nearly black and clings tightly to the meat, almost dry.
⏱ Finishing the kala bhuna · 15 min
Remove from the heat and let it rest for 2-3 minutes so the flavours settle before serving.
⏱ Resting · 3 min

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Kala Bhuna (Black Beef Bhuna) take?

140 minutes in total: about 20 minutes of prep and 120 minutes of cooking.

Is Kala Bhuna (Black Beef Bhuna) hard to make?

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

How many people does Kala Bhuna (Black Beef Bhuna) serve?

This recipe serves 6. 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 Kala Bhuna (Black Beef Bhuna) 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 Kala Bhuna (Black Beef Bhuna)?

Everyday staples that Degchi counts as pantry basics: red chilli powder, turmeric, salt. Spice-box items: cumin seeds, coriander powder, cardamom, cinnamon, bay leaf. Fresh items you will probably need to buy: beef, onion, ginger, garlic. Lentils, grains and other dry goods: mustard oil.

Any tips for making Kala Bhuna (Black Beef Bhuna)?

The dark colour comes purely from long, patient cooking of onion and spice, never from added food colouring or burnt sugar.