Kyrgyz Kuurdak
A rustic and comforting dish of pan-fried meat and potatoes, seasoned with onions and garlic. Kuurdak is one of Central Asia's oldest recipes and a beloved national dish in Kyrgyzstan.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Beef or lamb(fatty cuts, cut into 3cm cubes)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil or ghee
- 1 Large onion(¾ for cooking, ¼ for topping, sliced)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 4 Medium potatoes(peeled and cut into 3cm cubes)
- 1 cup Water
- 1 tsp Salt(to taste)
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper(to taste)
- 1 bunch Green onions(chopped, for garnish (optional))
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season the meat with salt and pepper.
- 2
Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the meat and sauté until seared on all sides.
- 3
Add ¾ of the sliced onion and the minced garlic to the pot. Sauté until the onions are golden brown.
- 4
Add the cubed potatoes to the pot and stir to combine. Pour in 1 cup of water.
- 5
Cover the pot and let it cook for 30 minutes, or until the potatoes and meat are tender. Add more water if needed to prevent sticking.
- 6
Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Stir in chopped green onions if using.
- 7
Serve hot, topped with the remaining ¼ of raw onion slices.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Using fatty cuts of meat adds more flavor and moisture to the dish.
- ✓Don't overcrowd the pot when searing the meat; cook in batches if necessary.
- ✓The raw onion topping adds a fresh, sharp contrast to the cooked ingredients.
🔄 Variations
- Some variations include adding bell peppers or other root vegetables.
- Offal such as liver or kidney can be used in place of or in addition to meat.