Best Lamb Curry

This is a delicious and authentic-tasting Indian curry made with lamb and authentic spices including ground coriander, ginger paste, cardamom pods, and garam masala.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 50 mins
• Total Time: 2 hr 5 mins
• Calories: 260 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ¾ cup plain yogurt
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 (1 inch) piece cinnamon stick
• 1 teaspoon salt, divided
• 2 dried bay leaves
• ½ cup water, or more if needed
• 2 red onions, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1 pound cubed lamb stew meat
• 3 cardamom pods
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic paste, divided
• 1 teaspoon ginger paste, divided
• 1 teaspoon turmeric, divided
• 3 whole cloves, or more to taste
• 3 whole black peppercorns, or more to taste
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• ½ teaspoon red chile pepper powder

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine yogurt, 1/2 teaspoon garlic paste, 1/2 teaspoon ginger paste, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon turmeric in a bowl. Add lamb meat and stir to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 hours.

Step 2

Heat oil in a large pan. Add cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves, peppercorns, and bay leaves. Cook and stir until leaves begin to sizzle and fragrance is released, about 1 minute. Add onions and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook until you see oil in the corner of the pan, 5 to 10 minutes. Add remaining garlic paste and ginger paste and stir for about 1 minute. Add remaining turmeric, cumin powder, coriander powder, and red chile powder and stir for 1 to 2 minutes.

Step 3

Remove lamb from marinade and add to the pan with the onion mixture. Add water and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook over medium heat until lamb is cooked through, about 1 1/2 hours. Stir occasionally so that curry does not stick to the bottom of the pan. Add more water to thin if necessary.

Step 4

Season with garam masala and cook 1 minute more. Garnish with cilantro.