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Afghan Garlic Recipes

46 recipes using garlic — Kabuli pulao, mantu, bolani — fragrant, spiced dishes from the crossroads of Asia.

These 46 afghan garlic recipes are ready in about 77 minutes on average, with 220–720 kcal per serving, and 26% are rated easy enough for a weeknight. Every recipe includes exact ingredient quantities, step-by-step instructions and full nutrition per serving.

46
recipes
77 min
average time
430 kcal
avg per serving
26%
easy recipes

How Afghan cuisine cooks with garlic

Afghan cuisine — Kabuli pulao, mantu, bolani — fragrant, spiced dishes from the crossroads of Asia — brings its own distinctive techniques and seasonings to every ingredient it touches. When Afghan cooks work with garlic, they reach for its own regional aromatics, fats and signature spice blends, and the techniques that come up most across these recipes are simmering, frying, boiling and steaming.

The aromatic foundation of savoury cooking almost everywhere — pungent raw, sweet and mellow when cooked. In this collection it's most often cooked with fine sea salt, onion, ground coriander, turmeric, plain yogurt and dried mint. The dishes here span afghan classics ready in as little as 32 minutes to slower, more involved cooking that rewards a relaxed afternoon.

Reader favourite: Ashak — Afghan Leek Dumplings is the highest-rated dish in this collection at 4.9★ from 1,654 ratings.

46 Afghan Garlic Recipes

✨ Newstarter

Mantu

Delicate Afghan steamed dumplings filled with spiced minced lamb and onion, served on a bed of garlicky yogurt and tomato sauce — a celebration dish of exquisite flavour.

100 min🔥 480 kcalHard
4.8(394)
✨ Newsnack

Bolani — Afghan Stuffed Flatbread

Thin flatbread filled with spiced potato, leek or pumpkin, pan-fried in oil until golden and crispy — Afghanistan's most beloved street food and celebration bread.

50 min🔥 380 kcalEasy
4.8(1,987)
✨ Newdinner

Korma Sabzi — Afghan Spinach and Lamb

A fragrant Afghan lamb stew cooked down with spinach, leeks, coriander and dried fenugreek leaves until deeply green and intensely flavoured.

110 min🔥 480 kcalEasy
4.8(1,432)
✨ Newdinner

Ashak — Afghan Leek Dumplings

Delicate Afghan dumplings filled with spiced leek and spring onion, served on a bed of yoghurt and topped with a rich lamb and tomato sauce and dried mint.

105 min🔥 560 kcalMedium
4.9(1,654)
dinner

Mantu

Afghanistan's celebrated steamed dumplings — delicate pasta parcels filled with spiced minced beef and onion, served on a bed of yogurt and topped with a rich tomato-chickpea sauce.

120 min🔥 520 kcalHard
4.9(780)
dinner

Afghan Aushak (Leek Dumplings)

Delicate Afghan dumplings filled with scallions and leeks, topped with meat sauce and yogurt.

90 min🔥 420 kcalMedium
4.9(312)
dinner

Afghan Borani Banjan (Eggplant with Yogurt)

Tender fried eggplant layered with spiced tomato sauce and cooling yogurt — Afghanistan's beloved vegetable dish.

50 min🔥 280 kcalEasy
4.8(298)
dinner

Mantu (Afghan Steamed Beef Dumplings)

Afghanistan's most celebrated dish for guests — delicate steamed dumplings filled with spiced beef and onion, draped in a yogurt and tomato sauce, topped with split peas and dried mint. A labour of love.

130 min🔥 520 kcalHard
4.9(312)
snack

Bolani (Afghan Stuffed Flatbread)

Afghanistan's beloved stuffed flatbread — thin rounds of unleavened dough filled with spiced potato, leek or pumpkin, pan-fried until golden and flaky. The street food of Kabul.

60 min🔥 340 kcalMedium
4.7(412)
soup

Shorwa (Afghan Lamb and Chickpea Soup)

Afghanistan's essential everyday soup — bone-in lamb and chickpeas simmered in a fragrant tomato and vegetable broth with turmeric, coriander and cinnamon. Ladled over flatbread for a complete meal.

135 min🔥 440 kcalEasy
4.7(287)
dinner

Aushak

Afghan leek and scallion dumplings topped with spiced ground beef and yoghurt sauce — a national treasure.

90 min🔥 540 kcalHard
4.9(412)
dinner

Kaddo Bourani

Afghan baked sweet pumpkin in a spiced tomato meat sauce, topped with garlicky yoghurt — a beautiful autumn dish.

80 min🔥 420 kcalMedium
4.8(312)
✨ Newdinner

Aushak (Afghan Leek Dumplings with Yoghurt and Lamb)

Afghanistan's celebration dumpling: paper-thin pasta filled with sautéed leeks, topped with garlic yoghurt and spiced lamb sauce.

125 min🔥 720 kcalHard
4.9(396)
✨ Newlunch

Afghan Market Lemon Herb Rice Bowl

Afghan Market Lemon Herb Rice Bowl brings afghan flavor to a practical rice bowl built with chicken thighs, coriander, yogurt, lamb and dried mint, and a fresh cilantro finish.

32 min🔥 385 kcalHard
4.6(14,700)
✨ Newsoup

Afghan Village Smoky Tomato Soup

Afghan Village Smoky Tomato Soup brings afghan flavor to a practical soup built with mushrooms, coriander, yogurt, lamb and dried mint, and a fresh cilantro finish.

55 min🔥 406 kcalMedium
4.7(14,729)
✨ Newdinner

Afghan Garden Sesame Lime Skillet

Afghan Garden Sesame Lime Skillet brings afghan flavor to a practical skillet dinner built with cauliflower, coriander, yogurt, lamb and dried mint, and a fresh cilantro finish.

66 min🔥 427 kcalMedium
4.8(14,758)
✨ Newdinner

Afghan Harbor Charred Pepper Noodles

Afghan Harbor Charred Pepper Noodles brings afghan flavor to a practical noodle dish built with rice noodles, coriander, yogurt, lamb and dried mint, and a fresh cilantro finish.

77 min🔥 448 kcalEasy
4.3(14,787)
✨ Newsalad

Afghan Mountain Green Herb Salad

Afghan Mountain Green Herb Salad brings afghan flavor to a practical salad built with grilled chicken, coriander, yogurt, lamb and dried mint, and a fresh cilantro finish.

48 min🔥 469 kcalMedium
4.4(14,816)
✨ Newdinner

Afghan Homestyle Smoky Tomato Traybake

Afghan Homestyle Smoky Tomato Traybake brings afghan flavor to a practical traybake built with sweet potatoes, coriander, yogurt, lamb and dried mint, and a fresh cilantro finish.

55 min🔥 511 kcalHard
4.5(14,874)
✨ Newsnack

Afghan Street Sesame Lime Fritters

Afghan Street Sesame Lime Fritters brings afghan flavor to a practical fritters built with salted fish, coriander, yogurt, lamb and dried mint, and a fresh cilantro finish.

55 min🔥 532 kcalMedium
4.6(14,903)
✨ Newbreakfast

Afghan Golden Charred Pepper Breakfast Plate

Afghan Golden Charred Pepper Breakfast Plate brings afghan flavor to a practical breakfast plate built with beans, coriander, yogurt, lamb and dried mint, and a fresh cilantro finish.

44 min🔥 553 kcalMedium
4.7(14,932)
✨ Newdinner

Afghan Mantu (Steamed Dumplings with Beef and Yogurt Sauce)

Small steamed dumplings filled with spiced ground beef and onion, topped with a garlicky yogurt sauce and a split pea and tomato topping.

110 min🔥 420 kcalHard
4.1(55)
✨ Newdinner

Afghan Aushak (Leek-Filled Dumplings with Meat Sauce and Yogurt)

Delicate dumplings filled with scallions and leeks, boiled and topped with a spiced ground meat sauce and garlicky yogurt.

90 min🔥 380 kcalHard
4.6(85)
✨ Newdinner

Afghan Qorma-e-Sabzi (Braised Spinach and Meat Stew)

Tender lamb or beef braised with a large quantity of spinach and fresh herbs until deeply savory, a comforting Afghan home-cooked stew.

125 min🔥 380 kcalMedium
4.4(71)
✨ Newdinner

Afghan Ashak (Scallion Dumplings with Meat Sauce)

A regional spelling and variation of aushak, delicate scallion-filled dumplings topped with meat sauce and garlic yogurt, a celebratory Afghan dish.

95 min🔥 400 kcalHard
4.7(51)
✨ Newstarter

Afghan Borani Banjan (Fried Eggplant with Yogurt and Tomato Sauce)

Fried eggplant slices layered with a spiced tomato sauce and topped with garlicky yogurt, a beloved Afghan appetizer or side.

70 min🔥 220 kcalEasy
4.3(43)
✨ Newdinner

Afghan Do Piaza (Onion-Heavy Lamb Stew)

Lamb braised with a generous double portion of onions until they nearly melt into the rich, deeply savory sauce.

135 min🔥 420 kcalMedium
4.2(73)
✨ Newdinner

Afghan Sabzi Challow (Spinach Stew over Rice)

A simplified, lighter version of qorma-e-sabzi, spinach simmered with onions and light seasoning, served over plain rice for an easy weeknight meal.

45 min🔥 260 kcalEasy
4.3(28)
✨ Newdinner

Afghan Kofta Chalow (Meatballs in Tomato Sauce)

Spiced ground beef meatballs simmered in a rich tomato and turmeric sauce, a hearty Afghan home dish traditionally served over steamed rice.

65 min🔥 420 kcalMedium
4.6(39)
✨ Newsoup

Afghan Mashawa Bean and Noodle Soup

A hearty soup of mixed beans, chickpeas and small noodles in a spiced tomato broth, finished with fresh mint and yogurt, a comforting Afghan classic.

80 min🔥 340 kcalEasy
4.5(28)
✨ Newsoup

Afghan Shorwa-based Wheat and Lentil Porridge

Cracked wheat and red lentils simmered together with warming spices into a thick, savory porridge, a nourishing Afghan comfort dish.

55 min🔥 320 kcalEasy
4.4(21)
✨ Newdinner

Afghan Mahi Baked Fish with Turmeric and Tamarind

Firm white fish fillets marinated in turmeric, garlic and tamarind, then baked until flaky, an Afghan preparation that balances earthy spice with tang.

45 min🔥 260 kcalEasy
4.4(22)
✨ Newlunch

Afghan Chapli Kebab Spiced Beef Patties

Flat, coarsely textured spiced beef patties studded with tomato and coriander seed, pan-fried until crisp-edged, the Afghan and Pashtun classic chapli kebab.

45 min🔥 420 kcalMedium
4.7(45)
✨ Newdinner

Afghan Aushak Leek Dumplings with Meat Sauce

Delicate dumplings filled with scallion and leek, topped with a spiced ground meat sauce and garlicky yogurt, the elegant Afghan dish known as aushak.

90 min🔥 460 kcalHard
4.7(40)
✨ Newdinner

Afghan Mantu Steamed Dumplings in Yogurt Sauce

Steamed beef and onion dumplings topped with garlicky yogurt and a spiced split-pea sauce, the celebrated Afghan dish known as mantu.

100 min🔥 460 kcalHard
4.8(51)
✨ Newdinner

Afghan Murgh Roast Chicken with Garlic and Coriander

A whole chicken rubbed with browned garlic, coriander and turmeric, roasted until deeply golden, an Afghan-spiced take on a classic Sunday roast.

100 min🔥 460 kcalMedium
4.6(34)
✨ Newdinner

Afghan Borani Banjan (Eggplant Bake with Yogurt)

Fried eggplant slices layered with a spiced tomato sauce, baked and topped with garlicky mint yogurt, the beloved Afghan dish borani banjan.

65 min🔥 320 kcalMedium
4.7(43)
✨ Newdinner

Afghan Chicken Kabuli-Style Rice

Fragrant Afghan-style rice with tender chicken, caramelized carrots and raisins, finished with garlic and lemon.

75 min🔥 620 kcalMedium
4.7(48)
✨ Newbreakfast

Afghan Bolani-Inspired Stuffed Flatbread Pancakes

Pan-fried Afghan-style flatbreads stuffed with garlicky potato and scallion, similar to bolani, served with yogurt and mint.

50 min🔥 380 kcalMedium
4.6(42)
✨ Newlunch

Afghan Sabzi Chalaw-Style Rice and Greens Bowl

A fragrant Afghan-inspired rice bowl with garlicky sautéed spinach, warmed with ginger and a touch of orange zest.

45 min🔥 340 kcalEasy
4.4(27)
✨ Newdinner

Afghan-Style Herbed Rice with Grilled Fish

Fragrant Afghan-inspired herbed rice served with grilled fish, brightened with fresh mint, cilantro and lemon.

40 min🔥 440 kcalMedium
4.5(34)
✨ Newlunch

Afghan Dal Chana-Style Lentil Bowl

A warming Afghan-style split pea and lentil stew brightened with garlic, lemon and a fried garlic-tomato topping.

50 min🔥 340 kcalEasy
4.5(31)
✨ Newdinner

Afghan Stuffed Peppers with Spiced Ground Beef

Bell peppers stuffed with Afghan-spiced ground beef and rice, finished with a warm orange and ginger tomato sauce.

70 min🔥 440 kcalMedium
4.5(30)
✨ Newdinner

Afghan Aubergine and Yogurt Bake (Borani Banjan-Style)

A layered Afghan-inspired eggplant casserole with garlicky tomato sauce and a cool mint yogurt topping, baked until bubbling.

65 min🔥 380 kcalMedium
4.6(37)
✨ Newlunch

Afghan Chapli Kebab Burger

A spiced, crispy-edged Afghan-style beef patty inspired by chapli kebab, served burger-style with garlic and lemon yogurt.

35 min🔥 580 kcalMedium
4.6(39)
✨ Newdinner

Afghan Mantu Holiday Plate with Herb Yogurt

A festive Afghan holiday plate of steamed beef and onion dumplings (mantu) topped with garlicky yogurt and a tomato-lentil sauce.

105 min🔥 480 kcalHard
4.7(44)

Choosing & preparing garlic

How to choose

Pick firm, heavy heads with tight, papery skin and no green shoots or soft spots. Fresh garlic far outperforms jarred pre-minced, which tastes flat and slightly sour.

Prep & storage

Crush to release more of its pungent compounds, slice for a milder bite, or roast whole until jammy and sweet. Add minced garlic late and keep it moving — it burns and turns bitter in seconds.

Nutrition

Eaten in small amounts, but a source of allicin and other sulphur compounds linked to heart and immune benefits.

Classic flavour partners: olive oil, chilli, ginger, parsley, lemon, butter

Afghan Garlic Recipes — FAQ

How long do Afghan garlic recipes take to make?

Most of these 46 Afghan garlic recipes are ready in around 77 minutes from start to finish. The quickest, Afghan Market Lemon Herb Rice Bowl, takes about 32 minutes, while the slower-cooked dishes run up to 135 minutes.

How many calories are in Afghan garlic dishes?

Across this collection they range from about 220 to 720 kcal per serving, averaging 430 kcal — Afghan Borani Banjan (Fried Eggplant with Yogurt and Tomato Sauce) is the lightest option at 220 kcal.

What is the easiest Afghan garlic recipe for beginners?

Bolani — Afghan Stuffed Flatbread is a great place to start — it's rated easy and comes together in about 50 minutes. 26% of the recipes here are beginner-friendly.

What goes well with garlic in Afghan cooking?

In these recipes, garlic is most often paired with fine sea salt, onion, ground coriander, turmeric, plain yogurt and dried mint. Afghan kitchens also lean on its own regional aromatics, fats and signature spice blends.

More Afghan Recipes by Ingredient

Garlic Recipes from Other Cuisines