The Best Halal Cuts for Biryani, Karahi and Nihari

The dish decides the cut. Use the wrong one and even the best masala cannot save it. This guide matches the right halal meat cut to four desi staples, biryani, karahi, nihari, and qorma, so your next cook turns out the way it should.

Every cut below is available as certified zabiha halal meat, delivered in Berlin, so you can go from craving to cooking without a butcher trip.

Biryani: chicken on the bone

Biryani wants meat that holds up to layering and steaming without drying out. Bone-in pieces carry the most flavour into the rice.

A whole chicken cut into pieces is the classic choice. Skin-on holds moisture during the dum; skinless whole chicken keeps it lighter. Either works, and you can have it cut the way you want in the Halalich app.

Karahi: chicken or lamb in pieces

Karahi is fast and high heat, so you want pieces that cook quickly and evenly. Leg quarter or boneless chicken are the everyday picks, with a strong tomato and ginger base.

For a richer karahi, lamb keula or mixed lamb with bone work well, though they need a little more time. Keep the pieces a consistent size so they finish together.

Nihari: a cut built for slow cooking

Nihari is the long game. It needs a cut with connective tissue that breaks down over hours into that signature silky gravy.

Lamb neck (halls) or beef shank is the traditional answer. If you are working with what is on hand, boneless beef cubes also hold up well to a long, low simmer — especially with Shan Nihari Masala.

Qorma: lamb shoulder or boneless beef

Qorma rewards a cut that stays tender through a slow braise in yoghurt and onions. Lamb shoulder cut is ideal, rich without being heavy.

Boneless beef cubes are a clean, no-waste alternative that suits a weeknight qorma. Both take the masala well.

Where to get the cuts

You can order all of these as certified halal meat from verified vendors like Sakhi Halal on the Halalich app — browse whole chicken, lamb shoulder cut, and boneless beef cubes on Halalich, delivered in Berlin. New to ordering halal meat online? Start with how to find certified zabiha halal meat in Germany.

Download the app for iOS or Android, pick your cuts, and get cooking.