Kala Bhuna Style Dark Caramelized Spiced Beef Skillet – Authentic Bangladesh Recipe
Chittagong’s legendary dark-spiced beef dish, slow-seared with aromatic whole spices and caramelized shallots.
- Country of Origin
- 🇧🇩 Bangladesh (South Asia, Asia)
- Dietary Profile
- omnivore
- Prep Time
- 15 min
- Cook Time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Signature Staples
- Bite-sized beef chuck/sirloin cubes, Crispy fried shallots (beresta), Warm paratha or rice, Star anise, Black cardamom
Ingredients for Kala Bhuna Style Dark Caramelized Spiced Beef Skillet (4 Servings)
- 1.25 lbs (or 2.5 cups) bite-sized beef chuck/sirloin cubes, prepped into bite-sized pieces
- 1.5 cups crispy fried shallots (beresta), washed and trimmed
- 1 cup warm paratha or rice
- 1 medium onion and 3 cloves garlic, finely minced with star anise
- 1.5 tbsp traditional Bangladesh seasoning (black cardamom, nutmeg-mace, roasted cumin, mustard oil, ginger-garlic)
- 2.5 cups rich culinary stock or aromatic cooking liquid, plus 2 tbsp cooking oil
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
- Heat oil in a heavy Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium-high heat; brown bite-sized beef chuck/sirloin cubes for 5 minutes.
- Add minced onion, garlic, star anise, and black cardamom, nutmeg-mace, roasted cumin, mustard oil, ginger-garlic, stirring for 2 minutes until deeply aromatic.
- Add crispy fried shallots (beresta) and pour in the braising liquid; bring to a lively simmer.
- Cover and braise over medium-low heat for 20–22 minutes until meltingly tender and the sauce is rich and glossy.
- Stir in warm paratha or rice right before serving warm.