Galouti Kebab | Galawati Kebab recipe. Learn how to make these delicious Lucknowi kebabs using homemade galouti kabab masala.

Hello folks! Today’s post is interesting as it is a rare recipe challenge post initiated by Lina@Lin’s recipes. Click here to read more about it. Lina has listed about 10 rare dishes. She challenged us to pick one and try them out, and write our experience about it. I chose to make galouti kebab.

Table of Contents
ORIGIN OR HISTORY OF GALOUTI KEBAB | GALAWATI KEBAB
Let’s talk about some interesting facts about the origin of Galouti kebabs. Galouti/ Galawati literally means ‘melt in the mouth’. This is yet another exotic kebab from the Awadhi cuisine of Lucknow, North India.
Legend has it that this kebab was specially created for the aging Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Lucknow, as his teeth were weak, but yet he was very fond of meat. So the cooks created this kebab in such a way that it literally melted in the mouth, satisfying the Nawab’s love for meat.
There’s yet another interesting fact to these kebabs, it’s said that more than 100 exotic spices went into the making of these kebabs. Wooaahhh! The cooks of the royal kitchen definitely knew their ingredients well!

Okay, so coming back to these kebabs, I have surprisingly never had them before. So trying out something not knowing how it even tastes was quite challenging. We have to adapt a recipe from a source for this challenge. I scoured the mighty web and finalized a recipe from here.
I also came across a recipe that used lamb mince and lamb kidneys. I’m assuming the kidney meat probably gives it a pâté kind of texture which helps in the melt in the mouth effect!
GALOUTI KEBAB | GALAWATI KEBAB INGREDIENTS
Ideally, mutton is used to make galouti kebab, but since it is a challenge to find mutton here, I decided to use chicken. Lamb and beef would work well too.
An important ingredient that helps in making these galouti kebabs super tender is raw papaya paste, but I’ve substituted that with some meat tenderizer.
The galouti kabab masala recipe consists of a mix of regular Indian spices like coriander seeds, black cardamom, mace, star anise, green cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, peppercorns, whole cumin, nutmeg, and red chilli powder. The galouti masala spice mix is prepared by roasting the spices and grinding it to a powder. This really adds an amazing flavor to the kebabs.
The other ingredients you will need are some brown onion paste, ginger garlic paste, mint leaves, chana dal, and some kewra water.
HOW TO MAKE GALOUTI KEBAB AT HOME?
Add all the ingredients to the ground meat, and marinate it for some time. Shape into desired size patties and shallow fry. Enjoy galouti kebab with a dash of lemon juice, some onion wedges, coriander-mint chutney.
If you are a vegetarian, you can easily make veg galouti kebab. Use soya to make soya galouti kebab or kidney beans (rajma) to make rajma galouti kebab.
This galouti kebab | galawati kebab turned out delicious, my whole house was filled with the lovely aromas of the spices. These kebabs are truly exotic, do try this delicious lucknowi kabab recipe, I hope you enjoy it too 🙂
And I would like to thank Lina once again and a special thanks to Jhuls from thenotsocreativecook.wordpress.com for judging this challenge 🙂 It was fun researching about this:)
Here’s my rendition!
Step by step instructions to make chicken galouti kebab | galawati kabab | galawat ke kabab
1.Dry roast the ingredients mentioned under To be roasted and ground to a fine powder on low heat until aromatic. Do not burn the spices. Let it cool then grind to a smooth powder.


2.Roast the chana dal for 3-4 minutes on medium-low heat, let it cool and then grind to a fine powder.

3.Brown onion paste-grind little more than a quarter cup of fried onions with few 1/2 teaspoon water to make a smooth paste. Add more water if required. (I used store-bought fried onions).

4.Marinate the minced meat with the freshly prepared garam masala, 1 tablespoon chana dal powder, brown onion paste, ginger garlic paste, chilly powder, mint leaves, kewra water, meat tenderizer and salt. Mix and knead well to form a smooth dough, cover with a cling wrap and refrigerate for 3-4 hours.

5.After 3-4 hours, shape the meat mixture into round patties of desired shape, flatten them a little. Heat ghee in a skillet/griddle on medium heat, add the kebabs, lower the heat to medium-low, let the kebabs cook until they are brown on both sides. Do not overcook the kebabs.

6.Transfer them on a serving platter, sprinkle lemon juice and serve with cilantro yogurt dip/cilantro-mint chutney.

HOW TO MAKE GALOUTI KEBAB?

Galouti Kebab | Galawati Kebab Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 oz / 500 grams minced chicken You may use mutton/lamb/beef
- 2 tbsp raw papaya paste/1 to 2 teaspoons meat tenderizer
- 1 & 1/2 tbsp brown onion paste
- 1 tbsp Ginger-garlic paste
To be roasted and ground to a fine powder:
- 1/2 tbsp coriander seeds
- 1 black cardamom
- 2-3 strands of mace
- 1 star anise
- 3 green cardamom
- 1 inch cinnamon stick
- 4 cloves
- 1/2 tsp peppercorns
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg powder
- 1 tsp red chilli powder
Other ingredients
- 1 tbsp chana dal
- 2 tsp chopped mint leaves or as required
- 1 tsp kewra water
- Lemon juice as required to sprinkle over kebabs
- small pinch of salt or as per taste the meat tenderizer already has salt, so add accordingly
- Ghee as required
Instructions
- Dry roast the ingredients mentioned under To be roasted and ground to a fine powder on low heat until aromatic. Do not burn the spices. Let it cool then grind to a smooth powder.
- Roast the chana dal for 3-4 minutes on medium-low heat, let it cool and then grind to a fine powder.
- Brown onion paste-grind little more than a quarter cup of fried onions with few 1/2 teaspoon water to make a smooth paste. Add more water if required. (I used store-bought fried onions).
- Marinate the minced meat with the freshly prepared garam masala, 1 tablespoon chana dal powder, brown onion paste, ginger garlic paste, chilly powder, mint leaves, kewra water, meat tenderizer and salt. Mix and knead well to form a smooth dough, cover with a cling wrap and refrigerate for 3-4 hours.
- After 3-4 hours, shape the meat mixture into round patties of desired shape, flatten them a little. Heat ghee in a skillet/griddle on medium heat, add the kebabs, lower the heat to medium-low, let the kebabs cook until they are brown on both sides. Do not overcook the kebabs.
- Transfer them on a serving platter, sprinkle lemon juice and serve with cilantro yogurt dip/ cilantro-mint chutney.
Notes
Enjoyed this galawat ke kabab, then you may also enjoy these delicious and mouth-watering kebab recipes-
I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to share your feedback with photos and suggestions to me at aromaticessence77@gmail.com
You can also follow me on :
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Regards,
Freda
History of these kebabs and recipe adapted from here.

Looks really yummy!!
Thanks so much ! Thanks for stopping by !
Simply amazing kebabs! loved the flavours!
Thanks so much 🙂
This looks totally awesome Freda. Am definitely gonna try this kababs for sure. 🙂
What incredible flavors, Freda…just beautiful in every way ♥
Thanks so much dear 🙂
Now that sounds very interesting..! Loved knowing the little back story of this dish too.. there are so many hidden gems like these dishes… thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks so much dear Shamira <3
The story you mentioned about the nawab was interesting, i haven’t heard of that before. It’s true that when you havent tried a recipe there isnt a source to compare it with..and sometimes google just confuses you. Even with all that you dis a great job the kebobs look delicious ??
Oh yeah! Google can really confuse you! Thanks so much Binish <3
I am drooling Freda . I can feel them melt in my mouth. Beautiful recipe well presented ?☺
Thanks so much dear 🙂
Love all the ingredients. I can prepare the veggie version for sure. Yet to find kewra water. Where did you get them?
Thanks Dear 🙂 I found it at a store which has Indian plus middle eastern foodstuff. You can skip it if you can’t find it.
Oh OK.. Will give it a try
So inviting ya.. love ur clicks 🙂
Thanks dear:)
You are so awesome ! If the pics are so great , I cannot even fathom how wonderful those kebabs must be tasting .
Thank you so much for your sweet words:)
Freda,
I am drooling look at those ‘melt in your mouth ‘kebabs and wish they were melting in my mouth right now:) Love your presentation and enjoyed reading the history of these kebabs.
Thanks so much Sandhya 🙂
Great flavors – love the spices used – I need to try this ???
Thanks so much! Thanks for the follow 🙂
Your photography is stunning, and I’d really love to try this!!! Hungry just thinking about it (and I’ve just had breakfast).
Thanks so much for your kind words 🙂 thanks for stopping by!
Looks so flavorful.. I should try with veggies
Thanks Vidya 🙂
Such a wonderful dish, and you certainly did your fair share of researching it all and educating us. Love the look of those whole spices against the white background, and then the ground spices. Nicely done, beautiful pictures, a wholesome meal! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much Loretta 🙂
Wooooow gorgeous share a terrific click too Freda ?❤
Thanks darling <3
Love the styling of the kebabs and you have taken so much effort in documenting the history behind. I’m a vegetarian but the blend of spices here sounds tempting. Was wondering if I can try them in vegetarian way can you suggest something.
Thanks so much Megha ! You can also make these of kathal, rajma or even kala Chana should work well 🙂
Ok thanks..will definately try.
Delicious Kebabs and so mouth-watering, Freda. I can imagine the wonderful aroma! 🙂
Thanks a lot Linda 🙂
As always beautiful pictures ??
Thanks much dear 🙂
Good job in choosing this dish for the Rare Recipe Challenge, Freda. It is very nice to discover new recipes and to come out from our culinary comfort zones. These look absolutely delicious and by looking at the ingredients, these are so full of amazing flavours and very aromatic. Thank you for taking part in the first Rare Recipe Challenge, and looking forward to more awesome recipes. 😀
x Jhuls
Couldn’t agree more Jhuls!! It’s always nice to learn and try out a new dish! Thanks so much, look forward to the other challenges 🙂
Looks awesome Freda 🙂 brilliant clicks! woww..
Thanks so much dear:)
Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.
Thanks for the reblog, Sir 🙂
Drooling! AMazing clicks and flavorful recipe dear!
Thanks a lot dear 🙂
They look so delicious
Thank so much:)
Wow chicken kebabs. .they look yum ..?a must try..I have had galouti kebabs made of lamb and yes the enzymes in the raw papaya help to tenderise the meat..it just kind of melts in the mouth..an awesome recipe…?Thanks for sharing this..???
Thanks a lot Neethu!! 🙂
Wow Freda! You have done a wonderful job!! I love that you have done some great research on the recipe….the kababs have turned out so well. You have fried them to the right texture. Everything is perfect☺ Thanks for participating in the challenge….The tiny history about Wajid Ali was super!! Great going..
Thanks Lina! I really enjoyed knowing about the history too ! Who knew ? Hehe
Yes! Very true..xD
These food pictures are fabulous!
Thanks a ton!!
I love this dish, it looks great! 🙂
Thank a lot 🙂
What an excellent job of research you did for this dish! Everything about this looks amazing, especially the photos!
Thanks so much Kathryn 🙂
Looks amazing
Thanks 🙂
Fatastic Freda, wow do they look and sound delicious, really love all the spices. Beautiful photo’s too!!
Thanks a lot Suzanne 🙂
I love this challenge and the flavors are amazing! Very wonderful recipe Freda!
Thanks so much dear Lynn 🙂
Wonderful presentation!
Thanks Lynn! Glad you liked it 🙂
I did!
Wonderful job Freda-lovely post! Cheryl xo
Thanks Cheryl xo
x
Freda, the photos you have taken are just marvelous! Wow!
Thanks a lot dear 🙂
????
Freda, your pictures are stunning… from the individual spices to the finished Galouti! The aromas must have been incredible as you prepared this dish! I also really enjoyed hearing the legend behind the “melt in your mouth” translation. So fun and interesting!
Thank so much Jean! I spent countless hours researching about this dish , glad you liked it!! Most of all I really loved knowing about the history of these kebabs! Very interesting 🙂
Love all the flavours in there dear…
Thanks a ton dear 🙂