Ingredients
- 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 chicken or beef bouillon cube (optional)
- 4 cups water
- 5 dried Persian limes (lemoo amani), pierced
- 1 bunch cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 bunches parsley, finely chopped
- 12 ounces baby spinach, finely chopped
- 2 bunches green onions, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons dried fenugreek
- 1 can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add onion and sauté until soft and lightly golden.
- Stir in garlic, turmeric, and black pepper and cook until fragrant.
- Add beef cubes and brown on all sides.
- Season with salt, add bouillon cube and water, then bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer gently for 1 hour.
- Pierce dried limes with a fork and add them to the stew.
- Partially cover and simmer for another hour.
- In a separate pan, heat remaining olive oil and sauté cilantro, parsley, spinach, green onions, and fenugreek until reduced and fragrant.
- Add cooked herbs and kidney beans to the stew.
- Simmer partially covered for another hour until meat is very tender.
- Remove dried limes if desired and stir in lemon juice.
- Adjust seasoning and serve hot with basmati rice or tahdig.
Notes
- Dried Persian limes provide the stew’s signature tangy flavor.
- Overcooking dried limes may create bitterness.
- The stew tastes even better the next day after flavors deepen.
- Frozen herbs can be substituted for fresh herbs if needed.
- Lamb shoulder is a traditional alternative to beef.
- Serve with basmati rice or crispy tahdig for an authentic meal.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Simmering
- Cuisine: Persian
- Diet: Halal
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
