Madras Lamb Curry
One of the tastiest, creamiest and most decadent curries in India, the madras lamb curry is a triumph in flavour and texture. One of my most favourite of Indian curries… Learn ow to make this treasure at home.
My Madras Lamb Curry is one of my favourites to cook at home. An impossibly delicious Indian lamb curry with coconut milk, so tender and super fragrant. The aromas permeate every corner of the house when it's on the stove. It's one of the first Indian dishes I memorised (this Madras curry recipe is engrained!) and it's one I return to over and over again.
An authentic Lamb Madras Curry recipe
My first taste of Madras Lamb Curry was in a restaurant at the source in Chennai, India. As usual we'd ordered half the menu, so by the time this lamb curry arrived I was SERIOUSLY struggling to push it down. It was one of those food incidents when you know you should stop, but can't and won't. I was prepared to suffer.
I remember the amazing flavour - peppery, slightly sweet and sour and a texture so creamy and glossy. It's difficult to pinpoint an actual flavour here as there are so many spices at play, meaning each small measure of something brings everything to the party. Spice alchemy at its best. On asking the very friendly staff and chef, who were only too happy to come out and share the love (and knowledge) I found out that the sourness came from tamarind and sweetness from jaggery (I've substituted with regular sugar).
Once in a while a curry comes into your life that is so special, you just have to learn how to cook it yourself. I knew I had to recreate it at home, so the quest was on to find the best Madras recipe on my return! Over the years, my version has been tweaked here and there - this is the final tried and tested version! And it's one of my all time favourites.
Is lamb Madras spicy?
It's really up to you. If you follow the recipe, it's definitely a sauce with a decent spice level. About 6/10. There's not on the same spice hit as my Chicken Pathia or Goan Chicken Vindaloo but it still has a personality! That said, it doesn't suffer in taste if you dial down the heat. Just put less chilli in. Similarly, if you want it hotter - here comes the science... add more chilli!
TIP! If you find during cooking that you've over spiced the curry, remove a cup or two of the sauce and replace it with more coconut milk. It'll dilute the chilli. You'll have a creamier sauce, but it'll be less spicy.
Time = taste
This Madras curry can seem a bit of a Mahabharata epic, time and ingredients wise, but don't let that deter you:
- it's not really that difficult to put this curry together.
- it's worth the time.
- it's worth the effort.
- See above (to infinity)
That's all I have to say on the Madras Lamb Curry. Complex, delicious, worth the wait. If you're looking for a quicker curry, try my delicious South Indian Salmon Curry or maybe the vibrant Sri Lankan green Masala Shrimp - but if you're up for it - you won't be disappointed in the slightest in this. Go for it.
How to make my Madras Lamb Curry
Ingredients
For the curry powder
- 4 dried chilli peppers
- 2 tsp cumin seeds
- 2 tbsp coriander seeds
- 10 fresh curry leaves
Other ingredients
- 1 kg lamb (cut into chunks)
- 2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 6 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 tsp fresh ginger (minced)
- 4 tbsp ghee or vegetable oil
- 4 onions (thinly sliced)
- 4 cardamom pods (bruised)
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
- 1 tbsp tamarind paste
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1 400g can coconut milk
Instructions
- Coat the lamb with salt, turmeric and garam masala and set aside
- Toast the cumin, corriander, chilli peppers together in a small pan until aromatic (1-2 minutes), remove from the heat, add the curry leaves then blitz together in a spice grinder or pestle & mortar until you have a fine powder.
- Mix this powder with the garlic, ginger and about 1/3 cup water, and set aside.
- Toast the fennel seeds until aromatic and set aside.
- In a large lidded pan fry the onions gently in the ghee until soft and golden brown. Add the curry paste and stir in for 30 seconds. Add the lamb and stir for about 3 minutes. If the lamb sticks turn down the heat.
- Add 1 cup of coconut milk and 1 cup of water. Bring to the boil and cook vigorously for 10 minutes stirring frequently to avoid sticking before adding the remaining coconut milk together with 1 cup of water. Bring back to the boil and add the toasted fennel seeds, the cardamom pods and cinnamon stick.
- Reduce heat and gently simmer with the lid partially on for 1 1/2 - 2 hours or until the lamb is falling apart. If the sauce looks too thin remove the lid during the last 20 minutes to reduce the sauce. It should be fairly thick and creamy. Before serving, add the tamarind paste and sugar. Adjust salt seasoning and you're finally done!
- The Lamb Madras Curry is a Northern Indian dish, and the sauce thick and creamy so it pairs beautifully with Indian Breads. Mine were served with Fenugreek Chapati - which you should cook once (or more) in your lifetime! Basmati rice is also perfectly suited.
Nutrition
Top-Tip / Make the spice mix in advance - it'll store in an airtight jar for about 2 months and, more importantly it'll cut the cooking time down.
Did you make my Madras Lamb Curry?
How did you go? Let me know in the comments below and be sure to tag @cookeatworld at Instagram.
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Making this tonight.
Im really excited but anxious too because I LOVE lamb Madras – when made by professionals! – but I’ve never made it before!
Although not new to the kitchen by any means, I don’t want to mess it up.
I’m wishing myself luck for this one!
I hope it went well… As a matter of fact, I’ll be making this myself this weekend. I haven’t eaten it in a long while. Hope you enjoyed.
Hi Lee,
This was honestly the best dinner I’ve ever made! My family absolutely loved it.
In fact, I’m making it tonight for other relatives because they kept hearing my sister rave about it.
Thank you so much – this a new family favourite!
This curry was absolutely fantastic! Took a little longer to cook (about 2 1/2 hours). But then British Lamb is the best! Flavours just improved and improved. Love your site, keep the good work up.