Serious Lamb Curry with Fragrant Basmati Rice
A rich, slow-cooked lamb curry with deep, aromatic spices and a fluffy basmati rice to complement its depth. This indian-inspired indian ready in about 120 minutes pairs lamb shoulder, medium onion, medium tomato for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 kg lamb shoulder
- 2 medium onion
- 4 medium tomato
- 400 ml coconut milk
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tbsp cumin seeds
- 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 500 g basmati rice
- 2 cups water
- 2 tbsp ghee
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp ghee in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp cumin seeds and sauté until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Add 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 2 medium onions, diced, and sauté for 5 minutes until golden brown. Add 1.5 kg lamb shoulder, cut into 2-inch cubes, and cook for 2 minutes to sear. Add 1 tsp turmeric, 4 medium tomatoes (chopped), and 400 ml coconut milk. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5 hours until lamb is tender. Stir in 2 cups water and cook for 10 more minutes. For rice: rinse 500 g basmati rice, add to a pot, and cook in 2 cups water with a pinch of salt until tender, about 15 minutes. Serve curry over rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Serious Lamb Curry with Fragrant Basmati Rice take to make?
Total time is about 120 minutes (30 min prep + 90 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Serious Lamb Curry with Fragrant Basmati Rice?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep lamb shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Serious Lamb Curry with Fragrant Basmati Rice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Serious Lamb Curry with Fragrant Basmati Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Serious Lamb Curry with Fragrant Basmati Rice?
Indian indian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My partner, who's usually picky, absolutely loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
