Eid is the biggest meal of the year in many Muslim homes. Eid al-Fitr, at the end of Ramadan, is expected around 9 March 2027, and Eid al-Adha around 17 May 2027, depending on the moon. Here are the dishes we cook for Eid: rich mutton curries, biryanis, a Yemeni mandi for a crowd, and sweets to finish.
An Eid menu at a glance
- A centrepiece: Eid mutton bhuna or lamb shoulder mandi
- A biryani: mutton chops biryani
- Something mild for children: chicken korma
- Something sweet: kheer or sooji halwa
Eid mains
| Recipe | What it is | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Special Eid mutton bhuna | Mutton fried with whole spices and a splash of malt vinegar until the masala is thick | About 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Mutton chops biryani | Mutton chops layered with rice and whole spices | About 3 hours |
| Lamb shoulder mandi | Yemeni-style lamb shoulder with mandi spice and dried lime, served on rice | About 3 hours |
| Mughlai white mutton handi | Mutton in a creamy white sauce of yoghurt, cashew paste and cream | About 2 hours 20 minutes |
| Beef kofta biryani | Spiced beef meatballs layered with rice | About 2 hours 10 minutes |
| Mutton chop curry | Mutton chops simmered in a rich, spiced onion masala | About 2 hours |
| Mutton fried chops | Mutton chops simmered in spices, then coated in egg and fried until crisp | About 2 hours 40 minutes |
For Eid al-Adha
At Eid al-Adha, the first dish from the qurbani meat is often kaleji, liver cooked quickly in a rich masala. Read more in what is kaleji? Slow-cooked dishes like mutton paya and nihari use the cuts that need long cooking.
Eid sweets
| Recipe | What it is | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Royal kheer | Rice pudding with cardamom, kewra water and plenty of nuts | About 1 hour 10 minutes |
| Sooji halwa | Semolina cooked in ghee with cardamom, nuts and raisins | About 1 hour |
| Pumpkin semolina cake | A spiced semolina cake, our twist on Burmese sanwin makin | About 50 minutes |
Eid FAQs
When is Eid in 2027?
Eid al-Fitr is expected around 9 March 2027 and Eid al-Adha around 17 May 2027. Both depend on the sighting of the moon.
What is traditionally eaten at Eid?
It depends on the family, but mutton or lamb curries, biryani and sweets like kheer and sheer khurma are common across Pakistan and India.
Why is kaleji cooked at Eid al-Adha?
Liver is one of the first cuts ready after the qurbani, and it cooks in minutes, so it is often the first thing made.
Can I cook an Eid biryani ahead?
You can make the meat masala the day before, then layer and steam the biryani on the day.
