Iranian stews, or Iranian “Khoresh,” are among the foods that introduce the authentic and ancient Iranian culture to the world. Stews have excellent flavors due to the use of fresh and diverse ingredients such as vegetables, Iranian spices, beans, meat, and chicken.
Tourists who enter Iran usually eat stews first. The world is usually familiar with Iranian cuisine, especially Ghorme Sabzi, an authentic Iranian stew.
Among the most famous of these stews, we can mention Ghorme Sabzi, Gheimeh, Fesenjan, and Khoresht Karafs.
Now that we know the importance of these stews, I will introduce 10 models of the best Iranian stews and I hope you will like them and stay with me until the end of this article.
Why Iranian Stews Are Famous
Iranian stews are famous not only for their taste but also for their cultural significance. Each region of Iran has its stews related to its culture and are often prepared for special occasions such as weddings and celebrations.
Stews like Ghormah Sabzi (Iranian national dish) and Fasanjan have deep roots in the history of Iran and they are among the most famous and popular Iranian dishes for tourists and people who are not familiar with these dishes.
Best Persian Stew List
| 1 | Khoresh Ghormeh Sabzi _Persian Herb Stew with Beef and Beans |
| 2 | Khoresh Gheymeh Sibzamini _ Beef and Yellow Split Stew with Potato |
| 3 | Khoresh Karafs _ Iranian Celery and Beef Stew |
| 4 | Gheymeh Nesar_ Iranian Rice Pilaf With Nuts |
| 5 | Khoresh Fesenhjan _ Persian Pomegranate and Walnuts Chicken Stew |
| 6 | Khoresh Bademjan – Iranian Eggplant Stew |
| 7 | Anar bij Stew Recipe _ Pomegranate with Meatballs Stew |
| 8 | Khorsht Kangar _ Iranian Artichokes Stew |
| 9 | Khoresh Rivas _ Persian Rhubarb Stew with Meat |
| 10 | Khoresht Aloo ba Morgh & Goosht _ Persian Plum Stew |
What is the most popular stew in Iran?
The most famous Iranian stew is Qormah Sabzi. Khoresh Ghormeh Sabzi is one of Iran’s traditional dishes.
Qormeh sabzi is prepared from special vegetables such as leeks, parsley, coriander, spinach, red beans, lamb or veal, and Amani lemon. It has a mild sour taste and is served with Iranian saffron rice.
1. Khoresh Ghormeh Sabzi _Persian Herb Stew with Beef and Beans
As we said in the previous part, one of Iran’s best and most famous stews is Qorme Sabzi. In this stew, the slower and longer the cooking time, the tastier the stew will be.
The fresher the raw materials, especially the vegetables and meat of this authentic Iranian stew, the tastier the food will be.
If you are interested in Iranian food with a slightly sour taste, I suggest you try this great Iranian stew for the first time.
2. Khoresh Gheymeh Sibzamini _ Beef and Yellow Split Stew with Potato
Another delicious and famous Iranian stew is gheymeh. This stew is prepared in two ways: Gheymeh Sibzamini and Gheymeh Bademjan.
Gheeme means sliced meat, and because of this, sliced meat in this stew has become famous.
This stew is prepared from Yellow split peas, lamb or veal, Limoo Amani, fried potato, or fried eggplant.
In addition to consuming this stew for lunch and dinner, it is prepared as an offering in religious ceremonies and distributed among the people and the poor.
3. Khoresh Karafs _ Iranian Celery and Beef Stew
If you are interested in celery, I recommend Khoresh Karafs or Persian Celery Stew. A very delicious and famous Iranian stew made from a combination of celery, parsley, mint, and lamb or veal meat.
The taste of celery stew is almost sour and unlike the bitter taste of celery juice, this dish is not bitter at all. And in some cases, red beans are added to this authentic Iranian stew.
Celery stew or Iranian saffron rice is served with tahdig and due to the presence of celery, it is rich in vitamins and minerals useful for the body.
4. Gheymeh Nesar_ Iranian Rice Pilaf With Nuts
One of the most sophisticated and luxurious Iranian stews is Gheymeh Nesar Qazvin.
The combination of sliced mutton with tomato paste, and onion, is decorated with nuts such as almond slices, pistachio nuts, orange peel, and barberry.
Qeeme Nataz is a local food of Qazvin city in Iran and it is served for weddings and important parties. The taste of this dish is slightly sweet and it is served with Iranian saffron rice.
5. Khoresh Fesenhjan _ Persian Pomegranate and Walnuts Chicken Stew
Another one of the most famous and best Iranian stews, which is usually used in celebrations, Nowruz and Yalda night, is the Fesenjan stew.
Fesenjan stew has a sweet and sour taste and a dark brown color. This stew is prepared from the combination of ground walnut kernels, and pomegranate paste with fried chicken or duck meat or meat.
Cooking slowly and with low heat will allow the walnut oil to come out and you will have a well-established and thick stew.
Fesenjan is served with Iranian rice and tahdig along with Shirazi salad, Mast o Khiar.
6. Khoresh Bademjan – Iranian Eggplant Stew
If you are a fan of eggplant dishes, you must try Khoresht Bademjan or Persian Eggplant Stew. An authentic Iranian stew made from fried eggplant, meat or chicken, tomatoes, and tomato paste.
This combination, which has a mild sour taste, is served with Iranian rice and Shirazi salad.
Khoresht Bademjan is an Iranian dish that can be used for parties. This stew is almost similar to Gheymeh Bademjan but without Yellow split peas.
7. Anar bij Stew Recipe _ Pomegranate with Meatballs Stew
Anar Bij Stew is a traditional Iranian dish from Gilan province, which is prepared with pomegranate paste, pomegranate juice, walnuts, and meat (or chicken).
The taste of this food is sour and similar to the taste of pomegranate and pomegranate paste. Due to the use of pomegranate, this dish is mostly served in winter and on Yalda night.
A healthy and nourishing food, of course, is a bit similar to Fesenjan.
This stew is mostly used in northern Iran and Gilan province for parties and restaurants.
8. Khorsht Kangar _ Iranian Artichokes Stew
Artichoke stew or Khoresh Kangar is one of the most popular Iranian stews made with artichoke, which is a mountain plant.
This stew is one of the best local dishes of Kermanshah. Artichoke has a sweet taste and is used in this stew alongside meat or chicken.
Artichoke is very useful for the body due to the presence of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins, and makes this food very nutritious.
Artichokes are rich in fiber, antioxidants, and other nutrients. They may also improve several aspects of health, including heart health and digestion.
Although often considered a vegetable, artichokes (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus) are a type of thistle.
This plant originated in the Mediterranean and has been used for centuries for its potential medicinal properties (1Trusted Source).
Source: https://www.healthline.com/
9. Khoresh Rivas _ Persian Rhubarb Stew with Meat
Khoresh Rivas is a delicious Iranian stew from the local cuisine of Kurdistan, made with rhubarb and meat, creating a delicious and aromatic flavor. It is especially popular in the spring months.
10. Khoresht Aloo ba Morgh & Goosht _ Persian Plum Stew
This sour and savory stew combines plums with chicken or meat, resulting in a hearty Iranian dish served with saffron rice.
Khoresht Aloo ba Morgh is a dish that tastes slightly sour due to the presence of plums and is very suitable for people who have a taste for sour foods.
Conclusion
Persian stews are iconic dishes deeply rooted in Persian culture, making them some of the oldest and most cherished meals in the country.
Typically prepared with a mix of vegetables and either chicken or mutton, these stews often include chickpeas and veal.
The ingredients are slow-cooked for 4 to 5 hours to enhance their rich flavors, and the final dish is traditionally served with fragrant Iranian saffron rice.
1. What is the most Popular Persian stew?
The most famous Iranian stew is Ghormeh Sabzi, a rich herbal stew made with beef, beans, and dried lime.
2 . What is Khoresh stew?
Khoresh is a traditional Persian stew made with various meats, vegetables, and spices, often served with saffron rice.
3. What is the best stew for a first-time visitor to Iran?
Ghormeh Sabzi is the most popular and iconic Persian stew, ideal for the first time.
4. Can Persian stews be vegetarian?
Yes, many Persian stews can be made vegetarian by omitting meat and using vegetables like eggplants, beans, and herbs.
5. What are some common ingredients in Persian stews?
Common ingredients include lamb, beef, chicken, herbs like parsley and cilantro, legumes like beans, and spices like turmeric and saffron.
Make Iranian stew for family lunch!
Use the minimal facilities in your kitchen and make one of ten famous Iranian stews for lunch today.
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