Easy Homemade Lamb Rogan Josh Recipe | Indian Curry

Homemade Lamb Rogan Josh Recipe That Will Transport You to India! – Hey there, fellow food lovers! Lumina here, and today I’m SO excited to share my favorite Lamb Rogan Josh recipe with you!

Lamb Rogan Josh

Lumina Liu

A rich and flavorful Indian lamb curry with aromatic spices including cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. This authentic Lamb Rogan Josh features tender meat simmered in a savory sauce made with yogurt and spices.

4.9 from 287 votes

Prep Time 20 Minutes

Cook Time 1 Hour

Total Time 1 Hour 20 Minutes

Course Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Servings 4 servings

Calories 450 calories kcal

Ingredients

 

• 2 quartered onions
• 4 tbsp sunflower oil
• 4 cloves garlic
• Thumb sized peeled and very finely grated ginger
• 2 tbsp Madras paste
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 6 bashed cardamom pods
• 4 cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• 1kg cubed lamb
• 150ml Greek yogurt
• Chopped coriander for garnish

Instructions

 

1. Put the onions in a food processor and whizz until very finely chopped. Heat the oil in a large heavy-based pan, then fry the onion with the lid on, stirring every now and then, until it is really golden and soft.
2. Add the garlic and ginger, then fry for 5 mins more.
3. Tip the curry paste, all the spices and the bay leaves into the pan, with the tomato purée. Stir well over the heat for about 30 secs, then add the meat and 300ml water. Stir to mix, turn down the heat, then add the yogurt.
4. Cover the pan, then gently simmer for 40-60 mins until the meat is tender and the sauce nice and thick.
5. Serve scattered with coriander, with plain basmati or pilau rice.

Nutrition

Calories: 450.00 caloriesFat: 28.00 gCarbohydrates: 15.00 gCholesterol: 125.00 mgFiber: 3.00 gProtein: 38.00 gSaturated Fat: 8.00 g

Keyword Lamb Rogan Josh, Indian Curry, Spicy Lamb Curry, Authentic Rogan Josh, Indian Lamb Recipe, Spiced Lamb Dish

This rich, aromatic Indian curry has become my go-to dinner when I want to impress friends or just treat myself to something special.

Let me tell you – mastering this dish was a total game changer for my home cooking adventures!

What Makes Lamb Rogan Josh So Special?

Rogan Josh is a classic Indian curry that originated in Kashmir. The name “Rogan” means oil in Persian, while “Josh” refers to passion or heat. Trust me, this dish delivers on both!

The combination of tender lamb and aromatic spices creates a meal that’s warming, comforting, and packed with flavor.

I remember the first time I tried making this Lamb Rogan Josh recipe at home – I was intimidated by the list of spices, but it turned out to be much simpler than I expected! Now it’s in my regular rotation.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s gather everything before we start cooking:

For the base:
* 2 onions, quartered
* 4 tablespoons sunflower oil
* 4 cloves garlic
* Thumb-sized piece of ginger, peeled and finely grated

For the spice mix:
* 2 tablespoons Madras paste
* 2 teaspoons paprika
* 1 cinnamon stick
* 6 cardamom pods (bashed to break shells)
* 4 cloves
* 2 bay leaves
* 1 tablespoon tomato purée

And the stars of the show:
* 1kg lamb, cubed
* 300ml water
* 150ml Greek yogurt
* Fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped for garnish

Don’t have Madras paste? No worries! You can substitute with any curry paste you have on hand, though the flavor profile will change slightly.

Equipment Needed

Nothing fancy required for this Lamb Rogan Josh recipe:
* Food processor or blender
* Large heavy-based pan with lid
* Measuring spoons
* Wooden spoon for stirring

Step-by-Step Lamb Rogan Josh Recipe Cooking Instructions

To cook a delicious lamb rogan josh, follow these simple steps. This recipe provides a straightforward guide to preparing a classic Indian dish.

Start with the ingredients and equipment needed, then proceed to the preparation and cooking instructions.

Each step is designed to be easy to follow, allowing you to create an authentic lamb rogan josh at home.

Step 1: Prepare the Base

First things first – let’s get that flavor base going! This is where all the magic begins.

1. Put your quartered onions in a food processor and whizz until they’re very finely chopped. This creates a smooth base for our curry.
2. Heat the oil in your large pan.
3. Add the finely chopped onions and cover with the lid.
4. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onions turn really golden and soft. This might take 10-15 minutes, but don’t rush it! Properly caramelized onions are key to a rich Lamb Rogan Josh.
5. Add the garlic and ginger, then continue to fry for about 5 more minutes.

Step 2: Build the Curry

Now let’s add those aromatic spices that make Rogan Josh so distinctive!

1. Add the Madras paste, paprika, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves, bay leaves, and tomato purée to the pan.
2. Stir well over the heat for about 30 seconds. Your kitchen will smell AMAZING at this point!
3. Add the cubed lamb and 300ml water.
4. Stir everything to combine all those wonderful flavors.
5. Turn down the heat to a gentle simmer.
6. Now add the Greek yogurt and stir it in. This adds creaminess and helps tenderize the meat.

Step 3: Slow and Steady Cooking

Patience pays off with this Lamb Rogan Josh recipe!

1. Cover the pan with a lid.
2. Let it simmer gently for 40-60 minutes, until the lamb is tender and the sauce has thickened.
3. Check occasionally and give it a gentle stir. If it’s getting too dry, you can add a splash more water.

The longer and slower you cook this dish, the more tender the lamb will become. I’ve found that giving it the full hour really allows those flavors to develop.

Step 4: Final Touches

We’re almost there!

1. Once the lamb is tender and the sauce has reached your desired thickness, do a final taste test.
2. Add salt if needed (I usually find the curry paste has enough salt already).
3. Serve your beautiful Lamb Rogan Josh scattered with fresh chopped coriander.
4. Pair with plain basmati rice or pilau rice for the complete experience.

Tips for the Perfect Lamb Rogan Josh

Here are some hard-earned tips I’ve gathered from making this dish many times:

• Choose the right cut of lamb: Shoulder works best as it has enough fat to stay juicy during the long cooking process.
• Don’t rush the onions: Those golden, caramelized onions are the foundation of the flavor.
• Bloom your spices: That quick 30-second heating of the spices in oil is crucial for releasing their flavors.
• Low and slow: Keep the heat gentle during simmering to avoid tough meat.
• Make it ahead: This curry actually tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld!

Dietary Modifications

Need to adjust this Lamb Rogan Josh recipe for dietary needs? I’ve got you covered:

• Dairy-free: Replace the Greek yogurt with coconut cream or a dairy-free yogurt alternative.
• Lower fat: Use lean lamb and reduce the oil to 2 tablespoons.
• Spice level: Adjust the Madras paste amount up or down depending on how spicy you like things.

Serving Suggestions

This Lamb Rogan Josh pairs beautifully with:

• Basmati rice (my personal favorite)
• Naan bread for scooping up that delicious sauce
• A simple cucumber raita to cool things down
• A side of sautéed spinach with garlic

My Personal Experience

The first time I made this Lamb Rogan Josh recipe, I was nervous about all the spices. Would they blend well?

Would I mess up the balance? But I’ve learned that this dish is actually pretty forgiving!

One time, I didn’t have cardamom pods and substituted with a pinch of ground cardamom instead. It wasn’t exactly the same, but still delicious! That’s what I love about cooking – there’s always room to adapt and make a recipe your own.

I hope you enjoy making this Lamb Rogan Josh recipe as much as I do! It’s a little bit of effort that pays off with such amazing flavors. Drop a comment below if you try it – I’d love to hear how it turned out for you!