Eid al-Adha, popularly known as Bakrid, is one of the most widely celebrated Islamic holidays, characterized by a ritual of animal sacrifice – hence the name Bakrid (as ‘Bakra’ means goat).
Just to give you a historical background of its origin, this is a festival that honors the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his only son as an act of obedience to God. As the story goes, upon seeing that Ibrahim was ready to sacrifice his own son, Allah rewarded him with a lamb to kill instead. In commemoration of this intervention, animals are ritually slaughtered – not just goats, but also sheep, buffalos, and camels. A third of their flesh is consumed by the family making the sacrifice, another third is gifted to friends and relatives, while the rest of it is distributed to the poor.
While that’s the essence of the tradition, Muslim vegans are starting to show the world that the sentiments of such a festival CAN be honoured in a way that spares the lives of the animals.
One such kind soul is Altab Hossain, who says: “I will fast 72 hours in solidarity with all the animals who will be abused in the name of sacrifice. On the day of Eid, me and my friends have decided to distribute Vegan Biryani to the poor and needy. Usually they receive a handful of raw meat, so I think it is better to give them a complete delicious meal that’s cooked already.”
So whether we feast, fast, or simply spread the word, let’s follow suit and do what we can in support of the animals.
These ‘veganized’ traditional Bakrid recipes are so versatile, exotic, and downright delicious that you can use them for pretty much any occasion that calls for a flavourful feast!
1. Vegan Biryani
The classic Bakrid dish! If you’re planning to feast on Biryani this Bakrid, simply swap the meat for something plant-based with a “meaty” texture, like soy nuggets, seitan, or tempeh. And who says you can’t enjoy a delicious Biryani made with no meat substitute whatsoever? Here’s a wonderful recipe. Pair it with a vegan Raita (a side of spiced yogurt) and you’re all set!
2. Vegan Seekh Kebab
While a Seekh Kebab is traditionally made with minced meat (usually lamb, beef, or chicken), formed into cylinders on skewers and grilled, the same flavour and texture can be achieved using nothing but plants. Ever imagined you could use a combination of raw green bananas and chickpeas to make the perfect vegan Seekh Kebab? Check out this recipe to see how it’s done.
3. Vegan Keema Pav
Keema Pav is the Indian / Pakistani version of the American sloppy joes. ‘Keema’ literally means mince, and ‘Pav’ means bun. While it’s traditionally a mince of curried ground meat, it can EASILY be done with plants instead. In this recipe, the Keema is made using Gardein vegan ground beef. You can also explore other brands that sell ground vegan meat such as OmniFoods or Beyond Meat. Happy veganizing!
4. Vegan Lamb Chops
Let’s face it. If you’re looking to eat something that mimics a rack of lamb, there’s no need to actually kill a lamb for it. If you want a relatively simple vegan recipe with rave reviews, try this out. It’s a Greek-style roast, but feel free to tweak it and use spices of your own choice if you’re after a specific flavour – the traditional Bakrid recipes for lamb chops use other spices/masalas like turmeric, ginger, red chilli, cumin, black pepper, and so on… Play with the recipe!
If you’re someone who is into the more complex, cheffy recipes, you must try this as it pushes all sorts of creative boundaries!
5. Vegan Seviyan Kheer (Vermicelli Pudding)
What’s a feast if it doesn’t end with something sweet! Seviyan Kheer is one the many mouth-watering Eid sweets commonly served along with the festive spread. It’s a vermicelli pudding usually made with a base of thick, sweetened milk, flavoured with cardamom, rose, pistachios, and saffron. Seviyan Kheer can easily be veganized by swapping the cow milk for a nut milk. This recipe is the perfect sweet fix for ANY occasion!
We hope you love this special selection of traditional Bakrid recipes! Try them out, surprise your guests, and share this article with your friends and family–together we can change the notion that a festival of selflessness and sharing should come at the cost of a life.
Feeling inspired to do some further reading? Check out these related articles:
– 20 Powerful Vegan Quotes That Will Change You Forever
– Top 3 Steps to Go Vegan: Tips from the HappyCowmunity
– Five Common Concerns About Going Vegan: Answered
– How to Meet Other Vegans Near You
– Can Going Vegan Change Your Life? The Cowmunity Speaks.
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