Recipe for Luxurious Saffron Baghali Polo with Ground Meat – A Must-Have for Your Table

Monday, September 29, 2025

SAEDNEWS: Baghali Polo with Meat is one of the elegant and delicious Iranian dishes you can try. It can be prepared with ground meat or lamb, using a professional, restaurant-style method. This flavorful rice dish is made with dill, either fresh or dried fava beans, and saffron, creating a rich and aromatic experience.

Recipe for Luxurious Saffron Baghali Polo with Ground Meat – A Must-Have for Your Table

According to the culinary service of Saed News, Baqali Polo with Meat is one of the most famous and delicious Iranian dishes, highly valued among Iranians. Most Iranians prepare Baqali Polo with meat for special occasions and gatherings as a festive meal.

As the name suggests, Baqali Polo is a combination of rice, broad beans, and aromatic herbs. This dish is seasonal—best made when fresh broad beans are available—but frozen broad beans can also be used anytime. Broad beans are known to strengthen muscles and boost the immune system. The combination of broad beans with saffron-flavored rice is particularly exquisite. Today, we will guide you through a professional and flavorful method to make Baqali Polo with minced meat.


Ingredients for Baqali Polo with Saffron Minced Meat

  • Minced meat: 200 g

  • Fresh dill: 200 g

  • Frozen broad beans: 2 cups

  • Rice: 3 cups

  • Onion: 1, finely chopped

  • Oil and butter: as needed

  • Salt, black pepper, turmeric: as needed

  • Saffron (brewed): as needed


Instructions for Making Baqali Polo with Minced Meat

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

  1. Wash the dill and let it dry. Chop it finely.

  2. Take the frozen broad beans out of the freezer.

  3. Soak the rice in salted water for 2 hours.

  4. Peel and finely dice the onion.

  5. Brew the saffron by crushing it and placing it over steam until aromatic.

  6. If using fresh broad beans, boil them for 10 minutes and remove any foam. If using frozen beans, add them directly to the rice while cooking.


Step 2: Cook the Minced Meat

  1. Heat some oil in a pan over medium heat.

  2. Add the chopped onions and cook until golden.

  3. Sprinkle turmeric and stir well.

  4. Add the minced meat, stir until evenly cooked and lightly browned.

  5. Add black pepper, stir again, and remove from heat.


Step 3: Cook the Rice

  1. Bring water to a boil in a pot and add salt.

  2. Drain the soaked rice and add it to the boiling water.

  3. Cook until the rice is tender but firm (check by pressing a grain with your nail; if it splits, it’s done).

  4. Drain and rinse the rice with cold water to prevent sticking.


Step 4: Layer and Steam Baqali Polo

  1. In a suitable pot, add oil and prepare the base (potato slices, bread, or plain rice).

  2. Layer white rice, then chopped dill, then cooked broad beans. Repeat until all rice is used.

  3. Add small pieces of butter between layers.

  4. Cover the pot and steam on low heat for 40 minutes.


Step 5: Serve

  1. Transfer the Baqali Polo to a serving dish.

  2. Mix a portion of the rice with brewed saffron and pour over the top.

  3. Spread the cooked minced meat evenly and garnish.

  4. Optional: Add fried onions for decoration.

Tips:

  • You can use either fresh or frozen broad beans.

  • Dill can be fresh or dried.

  • For decoration, saffron-fried onions are ideal.

  • Minced meat can also be shaped into small meatballs to place on top.