Afghani Boti | Namkeen Boti: 4 Ingredient Recipe
Namkeen boti, or Afghani boti is the most delicious, tender, juicy, and flavorful version of tikka boti you will ever taste! This delectable recipe originates from Afghanistan, where the food is simple, easy, and mouthwatering.
My recipe for namkeen boti is easy and quick. It only requires 4 ingredients, but the result is amazing! If you want to learn how to make these delicate nuggets of beef, in the most beginner-friendly way, then keep reading! You’ll make Namkeen Afghani boti like a pro in no time!

I simply love this unique Afghani boti recipe because it’s mild, and the flavor of the meat shines through. If you want the perfect dish to serve on Eid-ul-Adha, this Namkeen boti recipe is it!
My Afghani tikka boti recipe requires grilling on charcoal since it’s a BBQ recipe. But, don’t worry! If you don’t own a BBQ grill, I have included simple and easy steps to make this delicious grilled beef boti on your stovetop! Problem solved!
What’s to Love About this Recipe?
- The best thing about this recipe is that it is extremely easy! Even a beginner who hasn’t cooked anything before can make this meat dish with a blindfold! Also, the ingredient list is so short and basic that you can find all the items in your pantry.
- You can use any meat you like. I used beef today, but you can also make it with chicken or mutton.
- I have not used any boxed masalas for the marination. You can make a delicious tikka boti with an easy and homemade marinade. You don’t need to buy any of the boxed or premade masala mixes.
- You don’t need a meat tenderizer for this recipe. You may think that beef will not be tender without the tenderizing agent, but once you try the recipe, you’ll be amazed at how juicy the boti turns out.
- This recipe’s versatility is out of this world! You can serve it with plain naan, butter naan, or roti. You can also serve it with a fresh green salad and a tangy imli or tamarind chutney! Or, make it a meaty addition with Chana pulao. There are so many options with just one amazing recipe.
Ingredients
Here’s a list of the ingredients required to make Namkeen boti:

- Beef: Beef is the meat of choice for this recipe. But you can use chicken or mutton if you don’t like beef. The meat has to be boneless.
- Onion water: Onion water is a natural tenderizer. When mixed with meat, it helps to break down the meat’s fibers and adds a delicious onion flavor.
- Garlic: Garlic adds a delicious aroma and flavor to the meat.
For quantities, view the recipe card.
Instructions
Now, let’s start making this delicious and easy Namkeen boti!
Marination:
The first step of the recipe is marinating the beef.
In a large mixing bowl, place the washed and dried boneless beef boti.
Next, add the crushed garlic and salt to the beef. Combine these two ingredients, and then add the onion juice. You can extract the juice by finely grating the onions and then pass it through a sieve to separate the onion from the juice.
The onion juice acts as a natural meat tenderizer and furthermore, adds flavor to the beef.

- Place the beef boti in a large mixing bowl.

- First add the crushed garlic.
Now, drizzle the oil on the meat. Combine all the ingredients well so the beef is evenly coated.
Cover the bowl with cling film and place it in the refrigerator for at least 8-10 hours. Preferably, leave the beef to marinate overnight, because this will produce the best flavor.

- Followed by salt.

- Then add onion juice.
Grilling:
Once the meat has marinated, we can start grilling it. Preheat your BBQ grill to medium-high heat.
I’m using metal skewers for grilling the meat, but you can also use wooden ones. If you use wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
Thread the beef boti onto each skewer evenly and set aside. Carefully place the skewers on the preheated grill, leaving space between each skewer for turning and even cooking.

- Finally, add the oil.

- Combine everything so it coats all the beef, and leave it to marinate, preferably overnight.

- Thread the beef boti through the skewers.

- Preheat your grill, and place the beef skewers on the grill with some space between each.
Grill the meat, occasionally rotating the skewers until the beef is slightly charred, brown in color, and fully cooked. This typically takes around 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the meat’s thickness and the heat’s intensity.
You can also use a meat thermometer to check if the meat is cooked. Ensure that the internal temperature of the beef reaches at least 145°F (63°C) for medium doneness.
Finally, once the Namkeen boti is cooked, remove the skewers from the grill and allow them to rest for a few minutes before serving.

Lastly, after the Namkeen boti has rested, you can serve this delicious BBQ boti with a fresh green salad, or preferably with a refreshing mint, cucumber, and yogurt raita!

Hint:
Adding onion juice to the marinade helps tenderize the beef and keep it juicy when grilling.
Cutting the beef into smaller size pieces can reduce cooking time.
While grilling, you can baste the boti with ghee or oil for added flavor and char.
Substitutions
Namkeen boti or Afgani boti is typically made using beef, but you can use chicken if you prefer.
Additionally, using chicken will reduce the marination time and cooking time. You can let it marinate for up to 4 hours, and cooking time will reduce considerably to about 5-8 minutes.
Variations
If you don’t own a BBQ grill… Don’t worry! You can still enjoy these delicious tikka boti bites!
Stovetop Cooking:
Follow the recipe and skewer the meat. Then, place a large frying pan on your stovetop and add a little oil. When the oil is hot, place the skewered meat in the pan. Cook the boti till they are done.
Open Flame Cooking:
Likewise, you can also cook Namkeen boti on an open flame on your stovetop. Place a metal wire cooling rack on your stove. Next, turn on the flame, and carefully place 1 or 2 skewers of the Namkeen boti on the flame using a pair of tongs.
When using this method, be very careful and watch the meat carefully. Keep turning the skewers every few minutes to ensure even cooking and avoid burning the boti.
Equipment
Here is a list of the equipment I used to make delicious Namkeen boti:
- 1 large mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons
- Grater
- Metal skewers
- BBQ grill
- Charcoal for grilling
Serving Suggestion
I always serve Namkeen Boti hot off the grill! Although, it can be a star standalone dish, you can pair it with various side dishes, such as Daal, Mixed vegetables, or Chana pulao.
You can make a complete meal of namkeen boti by serving it with freshly prepared raita (yogurt sauce), sliced onions, and a refreshing salad!
Top tips
- Baste the Namkeen boti with ghee or oil while it’s cooking for added flavor, juiciness, and char.
- To ensure that the meat cooks thoroughly, cut it into small pieces.
- If you are cooking it on the stovetop, heat a piece of coal and add a few drops of oil to it. Place the smoking coal piece with the namkeen boti and cover it. This will add a delicious smoked flavor to the beef.
FAQ
Yes, you can. The preferred meat is beef, but if you want to use chicken, go ahead! Chicken’s marination and cooking time will be reduced by half.
Unfortunately, no. For Namkeen Afghani boti, you must use boneless beef. Bone-in beef has a considerably longer cooking time and just won’t work on the BBQ
Traditionally, Afghani food is not spicy because they don’t use a lot of red or green chili. However, if you like spicy food, you can grind some green chilies and add to the marinade. You can also add black pepper powder.
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Looks fantastic! I’ll be trying it with chicken this week!
I’m so glad you found the recipe helpful!