Authentic Aushak Recipe (Ashak Recipe)- Afghan Dumplings

There’s beautiful barakah in home-cooked meals—especially when they’re made with love and shared with family. In Afghan culture, food isn’t just about sustenance; it’s a bridge between generations, a connection to heritage, and a symbol of community. One dish that embodies all of this is Aushak, also spelled Ashak, delicate dumplings filled with leeks and herbs, topped with savory meat sauce and creamy yogurt.

For many, making aushak (ashak) is more than just cooking; it’s an experience that brings people together. The process becomes a shared effort, with everyone pitching in to fold dumplings, season sauces, and taste-test along the way. The joy of preparing this dish is only matched by the satisfaction of sitting down together to enjoy it.

Alhumdullilah. Always. In All Ways

What Is Aushak or Ashak?

Aushak (pronounced ow-shock) is a traditional Afghan dish consisting of dumplings filled with leeks, scallions, and fresh herbs, typically topped with a flavorful meat sauce and a tangy yogurt-mint dressing. It’s a dish often served during celebrations, gatherings, or whenever loved ones come together for a special meal.

This recipe embraces the essence of Afghan cuisine—bold flavors, vibrant herbs, and a perfect harmony of textures. The dumplings themselves are tender yet sturdy, the yogurt sauce adds a cool creaminess, and the meat sauce provides a rich, savory depth. Every bite is an explosion of flavor, layered with love and tradition.

Why Aushak (Ashak) Brings People Together

The heart of aushak isn’t just in its taste but in its preparation. From chopping leeks and cilantro to folding each dumpling, this dish invites participation. The process of making aushak becomes a communal act, where stories are exchanged, memories are shared, and bonds are strengthened.

For me, the experience of making aushak is a way to honor my heritage and connect with my family. Using heirloom items, like my grandmother’s vintage bowl or my father-in-law’s Afghan rug near me, reminds me of the resilience of our loved ones and the stories embedded in every piece of our history. Despite the loss and displacement caused by war, these small treasures keep our traditions alive, serving as a testament to the strength of our roots.

Cooking together is an act of love, a way to show care for one another, and a celebration of togetherness. Aushak, with its intricate preparation and delicious payoff, perfectly embodies this spirit.

Tips for Making Aushak (Ashak) at Home

If this is your first time making aushak, don’t worry—this recipe is approachable and adaptable. Here are a few tips to make the process smooth and enjoyable:

1. Get the Family Involved: The more hands on deck, the faster and more fun the dumpling-making process becomes.
2. Use Store-Bought Wrappers: While homemade dough is traditional, store-bought wonton wrappers are a great shortcut that still delivers fantastic results.
3. Make the Sauces Ahead: Preparing the yogurt and meat sauces ahead of time can save you effort when assembling the final dish.
4. Customize the Filling: While leeks and scallions are classic, you can experiment with additional herbs or spices to suit your taste.

How To Make Aushak (Ashak)

1. Prepare the Meat Sauce:

Sauté minced garlic in a pan over medium heat until fragrant. Stir in turmeric and tomato paste, then add ground beef, crushed coriander seeds, salt, and pepper. Cook until the beef is browned. Add water and simmer for 15–20 minutes until the sauce thickens. Set aside.

2. Make the Dumpling Filling:

In a bowl, mix finely chopped leeks, scallions, cilantro, salt, pepper, and ground coriander. Ensure the leeks are well-washed and drained before combining.

3. Assemble the Dumplings:

Place 1 tablespoon of filling in the center of a wonton wrapper. Wet the edges with water and fold into a triangle, sealing the edges tightly. Repeat until all the filling is used.

4. Cook the Dumplings:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the dumplings and cook for 5–7 minutes, until they float to the surface. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a platter.

5. Make the Yogurt Sauce:

In a bowl, mix plain yogurt, minced garlic, dried mint, salt, and quroot (if using). Stir until smooth and well combined.

6. Assemble the Dish:

Spread a layer of yogurt sauce on a serving platter. Place the boiled dumplings on top, then spoon more yogurt sauce and meat sauce over them. Garnish with extra cilantro and dried mint before serving.

Serving Aushak (Ashak)

Aushak is traditionally served family-style, laid out on a large platter with layers of yogurt sauce, dumplings, and meat sauce. The garnishes—extra cilantro and dried mint—add the perfect finishing touch.

Serve it as the star of your meal or pair it with a light salad for a complete dining experience. However you serve it, aushak is guaranteed to be a conversation starter and a crowd-pleaser.

Aushak vs. Mantu: What’s the Difference?

If you’re familiar with Afghan cuisine, you’ve probably heard of both aushak and mantu—two iconic dumpling dishes that often steal the show at family gatherings and celebrations. While they share similarities as dumplings topped with sauces, their flavors, fillings, and overall profiles are quite distinct.

1. The Filling:

The most noticeable difference between the two is the filling. Aushak features a vegetarian filling made with leeks, scallions, and cilantro, offering a fresh and herbaceous flavor. On the other hand, mantu is packed with a savory meat filling, typically ground beef or lamb mixed with onions, giving it a richer and more robust taste.

2. The Sauces:

Both dishes are topped with a yogurt-based sauce, but their accompaniments differ. Aushak is paired with a tangy yogurt-mint sauce and a spiced ground beef topping, which balances the lightness of the leek filling. In contrast, mantu is topped with a tomato-based meat sauce, often spiced with coriander, and sometimes includes split peas for an extra hearty element.

3. When to Serve Them:

Aushak is often served as a lighter dish or appetizer, making it perfect for Ramadan, smaller gatherings, or as part of a multi-course meal. Mantu, with its hearty meat filling and rich sauces, is more commonly served as a main course, particularly at large celebrations or special occasions.

4. Preparation Time:

Aushak tends to be quicker to prepare due to its simpler vegetarian filling. Mantu, on the other hand, can be more labor-intensive, as the meat filling requires additional preparation and the inclusion of split peas or extra garnishes adds to the cooking time.

Which One to Choose: Aushak vs. Mantu?

Both aushak and mantu are delicious expressions of Afghan culinary traditions. Aushak shines when you want a lighter, herb-filled dish, while mantu is perfect for those craving a heartier, meaty meal. Whichever you choose, these dumplings are sure to bring a sense of comfort, community, and celebration to your table.

Food has an extraordinary way of weaving people together, and dishes like aushak go beyond being just a meal—they become shared experiences, family traditions, and cherished memories. Preparing these Afghan dumplings with loved ones, from folding each wrapper to layering the flavors of the yogurt and meat sauces, is a beautiful reminder of the joy and connection found in the kitchen.

Whether you’re sharing a platter of aushak at your family table or introducing this dish to friends, its rich flavors and the care it takes to prepare make it a true labor of love. This recipe not only honors Afghan culinary traditions but also celebrates the spirit of community, resilience, and togetherness.

So gather your ingredients, invite your loved ones, and let the magic of cooking—and connection—begin. As you enjoy your aushak, may it remind you of the beauty in shared meals and the stories they hold. If you try this recipe, don’t forget to share a photo and/or leave a comment to share how it went!

Are you interested in trying out more of my recipes? Check out my easy and delicious High Hydration Sourdough bread recipe. You’ll never go back to storebought bread again.