Ghormeh Sabzi
Ghormeh Sabzi is a deeply flavorful and aromatic Persian herb stew, featuring tender beef simmered with a rich blend of sautéed herbs, tangy dried limes, and hearty kidney beans. It's a staple of Iranian cuisine, celebrated for its unique earthy and sour notes.
🧂 Ingredients
- 700 g Beef stew meat(Cut into 1.5-inch cubes (chuck or lamb shoulder are good choices))
- 200 g Fresh parsley(Finely chopped)
- 100 g Fresh fenugreek leaves(Finely chopped. If using dried fenugreek, use 2-3 tablespoons and add it later in the cooking process.)
- 1 bunch Scallions or green onions(White and green parts, finely chopped)
- 1 can (400g) Kidney beans(Rinsed and drained. Alternatively, use 1 cup dried kidney beans, soaked overnight and cooked until tender.)
- 4 Dried Persian limes (Limoo Omani)(Poked with a fork or skewer a few times to release flavor. If unavailable, substitute with 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice added in the last 30 minutes of cooking.)
- 1 tsp Turmeric powder
- 1 large Yellow onion(Finely chopped)
- 3-4 tbsp Vegetable oil or Ghee(For sautéing)
- 4-5 cups Water or Beef Broth(Or enough to cover ingredients)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the herbs: Finely chop the parsley, fenugreek, and scallions. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat 2-3 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Add the chopped herbs and sauté, stirring frequently, for 20-30 minutes. The herbs should become very fragrant and turn a deep, dark green color, almost black. Be careful not to burn them. Remove the sautéed herbs from the pot and set aside.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 2
Brown the meat and aromatics: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the same pot over medium-high heat. Season the beef cubes generously with salt and pepper. Add the beef to the hot pot in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd it, and sear until browned on all sides. Remove the browned beef and set aside. Add the chopped onion to the pot and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the turmeric and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 3
Combine and simmer: Return the browned beef to the pot with the onions. Add the sautéed herbs, the rinsed and drained kidney beans, and the poked dried limes. Pour in enough water or beef broth to cover the ingredients by about an inch. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and let it simmer gently for at least 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the beef is very tender and the stew has thickened. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 3 hours - 4
Adjust seasoning and serve: Once the beef is tender, taste the stew and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. If the stew is too thin, you can simmer it uncovered for the last 15-20 minutes to reduce. If using fresh lime juice as a substitute for dried limes, stir it in now. Serve hot, traditionally with fluffy Persian rice (chelow).
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Dried limes (Limoo Omani) are crucial for the authentic tangy and slightly bitter flavor of Ghormeh Sabzi. Poking them allows their flavor to infuse into the stew.
- ✓The herbs should be sautéed until they are very dark and fragrant. This deep color and flavor development is key to the dish.
- ✓Ghormeh Sabzi often tastes even better the next day, as the flavors have more time to meld.
- ✓If you can't find fresh fenugreek, you can use dried fenugreek leaves (about 2-3 tablespoons), but add them in the last hour of cooking to avoid bitterness.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- For a richer flavor, use lamb shoulder instead of beef.
- A vegetarian version can be made using mushrooms and more beans, or even seitan, instead of meat.