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–+ servings
Slow cooked lamb curry in a serving bowl.

Slow-cooker Lamb Curry

Author: Veena Azmanov
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 4 hrs
Total Time: 4 hrs 10 mins
Calories: 196kcal
Adjust Servings Here: 8 servings

Description

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.

Ingredients 

  • 2 lbs (900 g) Lamb shoulder cut into large chunks
  • 2 tablespoon Cooking oil
  • 8 Shallots halved
  • 1 tablespoon Ginger grated
  • 1 tablespoon Garlic minced
  • 4 tablespoon Curry powder
  • 1 tablespoon Cayenne powder
  • ½ teaspoon Garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • ½ teaspoon Black pepper
  • 2 tablespoon Lemon juice
  • ½ cup (120 ml) Coconut milk
  • ½ cup (120 ml) Water or broth
  • ¼ cup Cilantro for garnish

Instructions

Slow cooker

  • Cut the lamb into 2 to 3-inch cubes. Add all ingredients into the slow cooker and combine well.
    Pro tip - I start with the oil, shallots, ginger, and garlic - combine well. Then, add the curry powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Followed by adding the coconut milk, lemon juice, and water- combine well.
  • Set the slow cooker on low for 6 to 8 hours OR on high for 4 hours. until the meat is fork-tender. Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with cilantro.
    Pro tip - if possible cook on low for 8 hours, I think the results are amazing.

Stovetop

  • In a Dutch oven or heavy bottom skillet, add the oil, and saute the onions until translucent.
    Pro tip - if possible use a Dutch oven as it retains heat evenly and will cook without losing too much liquid. if not, use a heavy bottom skillet with a tight lid.
  • Add the garlic and ginger and saute a minute more. Then add the meat and saute on medium-high for 2 to 3 minutes until no longer pink
    Pro tip - sauteing on medium-high heat will sear the meat keeping the juices inside.
  • Next, add the curry powder, garam masala, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Add the coconut milk and water or stock.
  • Cover the pot and simmer on low for 1 ½ to 2 hours until the meat is fork-tender. Stir occasionally to prevent it from sticking at the bottom. Also, if necessary add ¼ to ½ cup of water at a time to ensure it has enough liquid to cook.
    Pro tip - if you use a Dutch oven it helps keep moisture inside the pot and you won't need to add more water. Other pots may have more evaporation
  • When done taste and adjust the seasoning and consistency. If necessary add more water or turn the heat up to evaporate excess moisture.
    Pro tip - If you serve it with chapati, naan, or roti - keep it thick. If you serve with rice, add a little water to make a gravy.
  • Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley

Recipe Notes

  • Use lamb cuts such as lamb shoulder, leg of lamb, or stew meat when making curry. 
  • Today, I am using boneless but lamb with bones is ideal for making curry as the marrow in the bones adds more flavor. 
  • Cut the lamb into small pieces about 2 to 3-inches each. Large pieces will take longer to cook  
  • Do not skip the cooking time after adding each ingredient. Indian curry is about adding layers of flavor so don't make haste. 
  • If you use a Dutch oven you will not need any extra cooking liquid. For other pans, you may need to add ¼ to ½ cup of water every time you stir to prevent burning  
  • See the ingredients and substitutes above if you don't have the spices. 
  • Pressure cooking- Instead of using a dutch oven, saute in the stovetop pressure cooker or instant pot.
    • Once you have sauteed all the ingredients. Pressure cook on medium heat for 40 to 45 minutes in a stovetop pressure cooker.
    • Instant pot - set the instant pot to manual. Saute then pressure cook on high for 25 minutes, then use manual release.
There are two secrets to making a good lamb curry.
  1. The meat you use to make a lamb or mutton curry is very important. The shoulder or leg is the part of the lamb that gets most exercised which means it's tougher. It takes longer to cook, but also has the opportunity to absorb more flavor. So, don't skip on the slow cooking.
    The only other way to cook these cuts of meat quicker would be to use a pressure cooker or Instant Pot. You can make this dish using the pressure cooker or IP. Follow the stovetop method and pressure cook for 20 minutes.
  2. When possible, use meat with bone or ask your butcher to give you a few spare bones that you can throw in while the curry is cooking. Later you can discard them before serving. The bones add flavor to the curry.

The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you

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