Kabab Torsh — Gilani Sour Kabab (Best Iranian Food for Fasting)
Prep
30 mins
Cook
15 mins
Total
45 mins
Serves
4
Calories
400 kcal
Why This Works for Intermittent Fasting
Kabab Torsh is a strong choice for breaking a fast — protein-rich, fat-forward and very low in sugar if you use unsweetened pomegranate molasses. The northern marinade of ground walnut, pomegranate paste, garlic and herbs adds omega-3 fats and polyphenols that plain grilled meat does not give you. Walnuts do the heavy lifting here: their fat slows digestion, so the meal keeps…
July 25, 2026
Kabab Torsh — Gilani Sour Kabab
Why This Works for Intermittent Fasting
Kabab Torsh is a strong choice for breaking a fast — protein-rich, fat-forward and very low in sugar if you use unsweetened pomegranate molasses. The northern marinade of ground walnut, pomegranate paste, garlic and herbs adds omega-3 fats and polyphenols that plain grilled meat does not give you.
Walnuts do the heavy lifting here: their fat slows digestion, so the meal keeps you satisfied deep into your fasting hours instead of leaving you hunting for a snack. The only thing to watch is the pomegranate molasses — buy the sour, unsweetened kind (رب انار ترش), not the syrupy sweetened one, or you are adding sugar to an otherwise clean meal. See best fats to eat while fasting.
Ingredients
- 700 g beef or lamb, cut into 4 cm cubes
- 100 g walnuts, finely ground
- 4 tbsp unsweetened pomegranate molasses
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 small bunch fresh coriander, finely chopped
- 1 small bunch fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 onion, grated
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Method
- Grind the walnuts. Blitz to a coarse paste — not flour, you want some texture.
- Build the marinade. Combine walnut paste, pomegranate molasses, garlic, herbs, grated onion, olive oil and pepper.
- Marinate. Coat the meat thoroughly, cover, and refrigerate 12–24 hours. Gilanis marinate overnight and it makes a real difference.
- Salt late. Add salt 15 minutes before grilling.
- Skewer. Thread the cubes onto skewers, leaving small gaps.
- Grill. Over medium heat 12–15 minutes, turning often. The walnut marinade burns quickly, so keep the heat moderate.
- Serve with grilled tomato and a large herb platter — no rice needed.
Nutrition Per Serving
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~400 kcal |
| Protein | ~34 g |
| Fat | ~26 g |
| Net carbs | ~7 g |
| Fiber | ~2 g |
Values are approximate; sweetened pomegranate molasses will raise the carbs significantly.
Fasting Protocol Compatibility
| Protocol | Compatible? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 16:8 | ✅ Yes | Rich, satisfying main for the window |
| 18:6 | ✅ Yes | Walnut fat keeps you full through a short window |
| OMAD | ✅ Yes | Complete and calorie-dense enough for one meal |
| 5:2 (fast days) | ⚠️ Small only | Walnuts make it calorie-dense — keep the portion small |
| 20:4 / Warrior | ✅ Yes | Excellent protein-and-fat centrepiece |
Made with unsweetened pomegranate molasses, Kabab Torsh is one of the most nutrient-dense fasting-friendly Iranian foods — protein, omega-3 fat and polyphenols on one skewer.
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Nutrition information is approximate. Consult a health professional for personalised nutrition advice.
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