Cozy up with a bowl of beef paya soup and pillowy-soft naan. Pressure-cooked beef bones create a flavorful broth that’s finished with a warmly spiced baghar. It’s a hearty comfort food that’s perfect for chilly nights, when you’re feeling under the weather, or as part of your weekly dinner rotation.
What is Paya Soup?
Paya soup is a homestyle Pakistani dish. The word paya means “legs” in Urdu, named after the star ingredient: hooves or trotters. I know, I know—if you’d told me years ago that cow foot soup would be one of my favorite meals, I would’ve laughed. But trust me, it’s that good.
It’s made by slow-simmering or pressure-cooking trotters, goat, lamb, or beef to make a spiced, aromatic broth. For this paya recipe, beef bones simmer for hours or pressure-cook for a quicker option, with aromatics and various spices to draw out collagen from the bones, creating a rich, silky, and flavorful broth.
If you love beef paya, you’ve got to try this flavorful mutton paya soup with goat trotters next!
Key Ingredients
- Paya: I use beef trotters for this authentic Pakistani paya soup, but you can try goat or lamb trotters.
- Onions: Yellow onions do double duty. Soften some to flavor the broth, and caramelize the rest for the savory baghar.
- Garlic and Ginger: Boldly flavor the dish with a generous handful of garlic cloves and a 2½-inch knob of fresh ginger.
- Ghee: Sauté the onions and aromatics in ghee or oil to enhance the rich, savory base of the soup.
- Spices: Season the baghar with dried bay leaves, red chili powder (or cayenne pepper), turmeric powder, coriander powder, kosher salt, and garam masala powder to bring everything together.
- Cilantro: Finish the beef paya dish with plenty of fresh cilantro leaves.
- Lemon: Serve with lemon wedges on the side. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice balances the richness of the soup.
How to Make Paya Soup
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Add the beef trotters, sliced onion, green chilli, garlic, ginger, and salt to an Instant Pot. Cover the bones with water (about 6 cups of water). Secure the lid and set the pressure to high for 1 hour and 40 minutes, followed by a 10-minute natural release.
Step 2: Meanwhile, warm ghee in a preheated skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onions and sauté until they brown and caramelize, for about 15-20 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for one minute.
What does natural release mean?
Natural release on the Instant Pot means allowing the pressure inside the pot to gradually decrease on its own after cooking finishes, without manually opening the pressure release valve. This process takes 10–30 minutes, depending on the amount of liquid inside the pot.
As the pressure decreases, the float valve will drop, signaling that it’s safe to open the lid. Natural release is ideal for soups, stews, or liquid-heavy recipes to prevent splattering.
Step 3: Add the bay leaf, red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, salt, and garam masala. Sauté for 1-2 minutes and remove the pan from the heat.
Step 4: Remove the lid from the Instant Pot and pour the baghar over the soup. Stir to combine, and enjoy!
How to Make Beef Paya Soup on the Stovetop
I usually make beef paya in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker to reduce the cooking time, but you can also make it in a Dutch oven or stockpot. Just follow the same instructions and simmer everything over low to medium heat for 6–8 hours, or until the trotters are completely tend
Expert Tips
- Wash the paya. Wash the trotters thoroughly by rinsing them in a colander under hot water.
If you enjoy beef paya soup, try more Pakistani recipes!
Serving Suggestions
Beef paya soup is a meal you can enjoy any time of day—whether as a hearty breakfast, weekly dinner, or a meal for special occasions. Serve the soup piping hot, topped with chopped cilantro, fresh ginger, chopped green chilies, and lemon wedges.
Don’t skip the fresh naan, roti, paratha, or sheermal to soak up the delicious broth or pair it with fluffy basmati rice, jeera rice, or a vibrant kachumber salad.
What To Do With Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store leftover paya soup in an airtight container for 1-2 days.
- Freeze: Let the soup cool completely and transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag. You can freeze the soup for 2-3 months.
- Thaw: Defrost the frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat: Warm the leftovers on the stovetop and prepare your fresh toppings.
More International Dinner Ideas:
Paya Soup
- 3 pounds beef trotters
- 1 medium yellow onion, quartered
- 2-3 green chilies, slit lengthwise
- 5 garlic cloves, smashed
- 2 -inch knob of ginger, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 6 cups water
- ¼ cup ghee
- ¼ medium onion, finely diced
- 2 medium garlic cloves, minced
- ½ -inch knob of ginger, grated, plus more for garnish
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- ¼ cup cilantro leaves, finely chopped
- lemon wedges
- Add the beef trotters, sliced onion, green chilli, garlic, ginger, and salt to an Instant Pot. Cover the bones with water (about 6 cups of water). Secure the lid and set the pressure to high for 1 hour and 40 minutes, followed by a 10-minute natural release.
- Meanwhile, warm ghee in a preheated skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onions and sauté until they brown and caramelize, for about 15-20 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for one minute.
- Add the bay leaf, red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, salt, and garam masala. Sauté for 1-2 minutes and remove the pan from the heat.
- Remove the lid from the Instant Pot and pour the baghar over the soup. Stir to combine, and enjoy!
Ethan
Friday 26th of May 2023
Great, satisfying soup.
Ali
Friday 26th of May 2023
Absolutely divine! I couldn't get enough of the rich and nourishing flavors in this Paya Soup. The beef bones simmered to perfection, creating a comforting broth that warmed both my body and soul. The baghar added a delightful spice that elevated the dish even further. It's a winter staple in my household now!
Siraj Mbarouk
Friday 28th of April 2023
Absolutely delicious
Tressa Jamil
Friday 28th of April 2023
I am so happy you enjoyed the soup, Siraj.
Sarah J.
Tuesday 14th of February 2023
I recently tried the Paya Soup recipe and it was delicious! The beef trotters created a rich and flavorful broth that was perfect for a chilly day. The baghar added a nice touch of spice and I loved how nutritious and healthy the soup was. This recipe will definitely be added to my rotation for the fall and winter months. Thanks for sharing!
Megan
Monday 10th of October 2022
I love making this for dinner after long runs.
Tressa Jamil
Monday 10th of October 2022
Oh, same! My husband is a runner, and this is one of his favorites too! He especially loves it when he doesn't feel hungry but wants something healthy and filling.