Explore Guides
Local food map
Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)
Hotels in area
Main course
Meat
Food Flavour DNA
Nutritional Values
900kcal
60gProtein
70gCarbs
50gFat
5gFibre
500 gServing
* Per serving · 500 g. May vary.
Allergens
🥜 Nuts
Ghuzi
How to order / say it
Say it
غوزي — [ghoo-zee]
Order
I'd like the ghuzi, please.
Locally
أريد الغوزي، من فضلك.
Say locally
Whole roasted lamb served with rice, nuts, and vegetables.
Why try it?
Ghuzi is served at major celebrations in Abu Dhabi, symbolizing hospitality and generosity with its grand presentation and rich flavors.
How it tastes
The lamb is tender and infused with spices, while the accompanying rice is flavored with saffron and studded with nuts and roasted vegetables.
Origin & History — first documented: 1900
Ghuzi's roots trace back to nomadic Bedouin tribes, where whole roasted lamb was a centerpiece during feasts since the early 20th century.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 🥩 1 whole lamb lamb
- 🌾 600 g basmati rice
- 🥜 100 g almonds
- 🧄 2 large onion
- 🧂 1 g saffron
- 🥕 300 g mixed vegetables
Method
- 1 Marinate the lamb with spices overnight.
- 2 Roast the lamb until fully cooked and tender.
- 3 Cook the rice with saffron and mixed vegetables.
- 4 Serve the lamb on a bed of rice and garnish with almonds.
More from Bedouin regions
🌿
Bread
Vegetarian
Pounded Flat Bread
خمير
kha-MEER
A traditional Emirati bread that is soft, slightly sweet, and fluffy.
🥩
Main course
Meat
Margoogat
مرقوق
mah-roo-goo
A hearty Emirati stew typically made with meat and tomatoes.
© Wikimedia Commons
Dessert
Vegetarian
Luqaimat
لقيمات
loo-kai-mat
Sweet dumplings served with date syrup or honey.
© Wikimedia Commons
Snack
Meat
Samboosa
سمبوسة
sam-BOO-sa
A fried pastry filled with spiced meat or vegetables.
© Wikimedia Commons
Bread
Vegan
Khubz
خبز
khoobz
Traditional Arabic unleavened flatbread.
🌱
Soup
Vegan
Lentil Soup
شوربة عدس
shor-ba ad-as
Comforting lentil soup spiced with cumin and coriander
🥩
Main course
Meat
Stuffed Camel
الجمل المحشي
al-jamal al-mah-shi
An elaborate dish involving whole camel stuffed with lamb and chicken.
© Wikimedia Commons
Starter
Vegetarian
Stuffed Grape Leaves
ورق العنب
wa-raq al-‘inab
Grape leaves stuffed with a savory mixture of spiced rice and sometimes lamb.
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Meat
Machbous
مجبوس
Muj-boos
Spiced rice dish usually paired with meat or fish.
© Wikimedia Commons
Main course
Vegetarian
Balaleet
بـلـيـلت
ba-la-LEET
Sweet-savory breakfast dish consisting of vermicelli and eggs.