The two kababs
Seekh kabab is spiced minced beef or chicken pressed onto skewers and grilled. Chapli kabab is the Peshawari pan-fried patty — minced beef with tomato, pomegranate seeds, coriander and egg, shallow fried.
Per-100 g comparison
| Metric | Seekh | Chapli |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 230 kcal | 280 kcal |
| Protein | 22 g | 19 g |
| Fat | 15 g | 21 g |
| Carbs | 2 g | 6 g |
A normal portion is 2 seekh kababs (~120 g) or 2 chapli kababs (~180 g). With salad and one roti, each meal lands around 500–650 kcal.
How to choose
- Cutting calories? Go seekh — leaner profile, less surface fat.
- High-protein training meal? Either, with extra portions of seekh.
- Iftar table or celebration? Chapli is the showpiece — eat slower and one fewer.
Make them healthier
- Use 90 % lean mince instead of regular for both.
- Grill or air-fry seekh — they cook in 8 minutes.
- Drain chapli on paper towel to lose ~30 kcal per piece.
- Serve with green chutney and salad, not naan, on most days.
For full meal planning see protein targets for South Asians and build a portion in the nutrition calculator. Or compare against the chicken karahi nutrition numbers.
Putting it all together
Both kababs are protein-rich, both fit a healthy diet, and the choice between them is more about cooking method and oil than the meat itself.