This Indian lamb curry recipe is as simple as putting everything in the slow-cooker and forgetting all about it. The meat is cooked along with the wonderful aromatics of curry powder and coconut milk until it’s fork-tender.
Growing up, lamb curry was always made the traditional way — onions cooked down first, then the ginger, garlic, and spices, building the curry one layer at a time. My mom often used a pressure cooker when she wanted to speed things up, but a slow cooker certainly wasn’t part of our Indian kitchen.
Over the years, though, I’ve learned that the slow cooker is wonderful for lamb. It gives the meat plenty of time to become tender, and on days when I don’t want to stand over the stove, I can put everything in and let it cook. It’s not the traditional method I grew up with, but it gives me the flavors I love with a lot less hands-on work.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Truly hands-off. Everything goes straight into the slow cooker—no browning or sautéing required.
- Tender lamb. Slow cooking is ideal for lamb shoulder, giving the meat plenty of time to become fork-tender.
- Rich Indian curry flavor. Curry powder, garam masala, ginger, garlic, and coconut milk create a flavorful sauce without a long ingredient list.
- Two ways to cook it. Make it in the slow cooker for an easy hands-off dinner or use the stovetop method when you don’t want to wait all day.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Lamb – I prefer to use a lamb shoulder or leg for slow cooking. The meat does take longer to cook, but it comes out tender and juicy.
- Onions – When making things in the slow-cooker, I prefer shallots because they cook down nicely. Or, I prefer to use sautéed onions.
- Ginger and garlic – Fresh ginger and garlic give the curry the best flavor. I prefer them here over dried powders.
- Coconut milk– Coconut adds richness to the lamb. If you do not want to use coconut milk, you can also use Greek yogurt, similar to my lamb masala recipe.
- Curry powder – Of course, I’m using my homemade curry powder. And yet, you can use store-bought as well.
- Garam Masala – Again, I am using my homemade garam masala, but you can use store-bought just as well.
Step-by-step: Slow Cooker Lamb Curry
1. Prepare the lamb
Trim away any large pieces of excess fat, then cut the lamb into about 2- to 3-inch pieces.
Pro tip: Keep the pieces fairly large. Small cubes can become dry or fall apart during a long slow cook.
2. Add everything to the slow cooker
Place the lamb in the slow cooker along with the shallots, ginger, garlic, curry powder, cayenne, garam masala, salt, pepper, coconut milk, lemon juice, oil, and water or broth.
Stir well to coat the lamb evenly with the spices and sauce.
You don’t need to brown the lamb or sauté the onions first for this recipe.
3. Slow cook
Cover and cook: LOW: 6 to 8 hours or HIGH: about 4 hours
The curry is ready when the lamb is fork-tender.
Pro tip: If you have the time, I prefer cooking lamb curry on LOW. The gentle cooking gives the lamb more time to tenderize without drying out.
4. Finish the curry
Taste and adjust the salt and seasoning.
If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the lid and let the curry cook on HIGH for a short time before serving.
Finish with freshly chopped cilantro.
Serve hot with steamed rice, saffron rice, naan, chapati, or another flatbread.
Make ahead and storage
- This lamb curry is excellent made ahead because the flavors continue to develop as it rests.
- Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a small splash of water if the sauce has become very thick.
- The curry can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
What Do You Serve This Curry With?
- Basmati Rice – Light, fluffy, and perfect for curries. Whether plain or spiced, rice is always a classic.
- Homemade Naan – Soft, chewy, and ideal for scooping up that delicious gravy. Have you tried my garlic naan?
- Chapati, roti, or Indian Flatbread – Simple, rustic, and so satisfying alongside any curry.
- Punjabi Samosas or Spring Roll Samosa– Want to turn dinner into a full Indian feast? Serve your curry with crispy, spiced samosas on the side.
Slow-cooker Lamb Curry
This Indian lamb curry recipe is as simple as putting everything in the slow cooker and forgetting about it. The meat is cooked with the wonderful aromatics of curry powder and coconut milk until it's fork-tender.
Video
Ingredients
- 1 kg (2 lbs) Lamb shoulder cut into large chunks
- 2 tbsp Cooking oil
- 8 Shallots halved (or chopped onions)
- 1 tbsp Ginger grated
- 1 tbsp Garlic minced
- 4 tbsp (25 g) Curry powder
- 1 tbsp Cayenne powder
- ½ tsp Garam masala
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice
- ½ cup (120 ml) Coconut milk
- ½ cup (120 ml) Water or broth
- ¼ cup Cilantro for garnish
Method
- Cut the lamb into 2- to 3-inch cubes. Add all ingredients to the slow cooker and stir to combine. I start with the oil, shallots, ginger, and garlic, and stir to combine. Then, add the curry powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Add the coconut milk, lemon juice, and water, and stir to combine.1 kg Lamb shoulder, 2 tbsp Cooking oil, 8 Shallots, 1 tbsp Ginger, 1 tbsp Garlic, 4 tbsp Curry powder, 1 tbsp Cayenne powder, ½ tsp Garam masala, 1 tsp Salt, ½ tsp Black pepper, 2 tbsp Lemon juice, ½ cup Coconut milk, ½ cup Water, ¼ cup Cilantro
- Set the slow cooker on LOW for 6–8 hours / HIGH for 4 hours, or until the meat is fork-tender. Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with cilantro.
Notes
- Lamb shoulder is my preferred cut, but lamb leg or stew meat also works.
- Cut the lamb into similar 2- to 3-inch pieces so it cooks evenly.
- Curry powders vary in heat, so adjust the cayenne to taste.
- Cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or HIGH for about 4 hours, until fork-tender.
- Slow cookers vary, so begin checking for tenderness rather than relying only on the clock.
- If the sauce is too thin, remove the lid and cook briefly on HIGH before serving.
Equipment you will need
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
Mention @veenaazmanov_kitchen or tag #veenaazmanovkitchen!Can I make this lamb curry on the stovetop?
Yes. Use the same ingredients and follow the traditional curry method. Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed pot and sauté the onions until soft and lightly golden. Add the ginger, garlic, and spices and cook for a minute or two until fragrant. Add the lamb and stir well to coat it in the spices, then add the coconut milk, lemon juice, and water or broth.
Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook over low heat for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the lamb is fork-tender. Add a little water during cooking if the sauce becomes too thick.
Tip: Keep the heat low and give the lamb time. A gentle simmer will give you tender meat and a richer curry sauce. Try my Punjabi lamb curry recipe.
Can I make this lamb curry in a pressure cooker?
Yes. Sauté the onions, ginger, garlic, and spices using the sauté function, then add the lamb and remaining ingredients. Pressure cook until the lamb is tender. For the exact pressure and cooking times, see my Instant Pot Lamb Curry recipe.
Tips for success
- Use lamb shoulder whenever possible for the most tender result. Keep the lamb pieces fairly large and similar in size so they cook evenly.
- Slow cookers vary, so use the cooking time as a guide rather than an absolute rule. Start checking the lamb at around 6 hours on LOW or about 4 hours on HIGH.
- Curry powder also varies dramatically between brands. Taste yours before automatically adding all the cayenne.
- And don’t worry if the sauce looks a little thin early in the cooking process. The onions break down and the sauce thickens as the curry cooks.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Lamb is still tough | It needs more time | Continue cooking until it is easily pierced with a fork |
| Lamb is falling apart | It cooked too long | Check earlier next time; slow cookers vary |
| Sauce is too thin | Too much liquid or moisture from the meat | Remove the lid and cook on HIGH briefly to reduce |
| Curry is too spicy | Curry powder/cayenne was hotter than expected | Stir in a little extra coconut milk |
| Curry tastes flat | Needs seasoning or acidity | Add salt and/or a small squeeze of lemon juice |
More curry recipes
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Lamb shoulder is forgiving, but eventually the meat will begin to fall apart rather than remain in tender pieces. Start checking around 6 hours on LOW or about 4 hours on HIGH and stop cooking once the lamb is fork-tender.
No. This recipe is deliberately designed as a simple, hands-off slow cooker curry, so the lamb can go directly into the slow cooker. Browning can add another layer of flavor, but it isn’t necessary here.
Yes. Full-fat yogurt can be used for a slightly tangier curry, although the texture and flavor will be different. I would use full-fat Greek yogurt rather than low-fat yogurt.
Yes, if you want, you can omit the garam masala powder. Garam masala is similar to pumpkin spice or gingerbread spice. It does add a nice flavor and aroma to the dish.
Yes, if you have Indian spices on hand, you can use this slow-cooker lamb curry, which uses individual spices, or this slow-cooked lamb curry, which is slightly different than this one.
It can be as mild or spicy as you like. Curry powders vary in heat, so adjust the cayenne according to the curry powder you are using and your own preference.
You can make curry in the pressure cooker or Instant Pot. Yes. The stovetop version builds the curry in stages, while the pressure cooker makes the lamb tender much faster. I have separate recipes for my Stovetop Lamb Curry and Instant Pot Lamb Curry, with the method and cooking times tested specifically for each.
More curries you may like
- Slow Cooker Chicken Curry
- Chickpeas Curry – Channa Masala,
- Lentil Chicken Curry, Spinach Tofu Curry
- Easiest Fish Curry – 6 Ingredients
- See all Indian recipes
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Hi, I’m Veena
I’m the recipe developer, baker, and food photographer behind Veena Azmanov Kitchen.
I’ve spent years developing and testing recipes, from everyday meals and homemade breads to cakes and desserts.
I share the practical tips and little details I’ve learned along the way so you can get great results in your own kitchen.
cilantro is over used in todays’ cooking. I delete it.
You can use less or omit the cilantro, Dennis.
I made this slow cooker lamb curry for dinner last night, and it was incredible! The spice blend was just right, and the meat was so soft and flavorful. A great recipe for busy days!
Thank you so much for the lovely feedback, Rebecca