Butter Lamb

Butter Lamb

Indian
Jump to Recipe
110 minutes
2 people
Hard

110 min · 12 steps

Hard: over 60 min or 12+ steps

620 kcalper person
Protein 46g
Carbs 14g
Fats 44g

About this dish

Tender slow-cooked lamb shoulder bathed in the same silky, buttery makhani sauce as butter chicken — but with the deep, gamey richness of lamb that soaks up the tomato and cream gravy magnificently.

Allergy Info

Dairy

Diet Info

Meat

Ingredients

Fresh Produce

  • Garlic Clovesminced (for marinade)2 cloves
  • Fresh Gingerfinely grated (for marinade)12.5 g
  • Onionlarge, finely diced0.5
  • Garlic Clovesminced (for sauce)2 cloves
  • Fresh Gingerfinely grated (for sauce)12.5 g
  • Fresh Corianderto serve

Meat & Poultry

  • Lamb Shoulderboneless, cut into 4cm chunks375 g

Dairy & Eggs

  • Full-Fat Plain Yogurt75 g
  • Unsalted Butter40 g
  • Double Cream100 ml

Tins & Jars

  • Tomato Purée1.5 tbsp
  • Chopped Tomatoestinned200 g
  • Lamb or Chicken Stock100 ml

Spices & Seasonings

  • Kashmiri Chilli Powderfor marinade0.75 tsp
  • Garam Masalafor marinade0.75 tsp
  • Ground Cumin0.5 tsp
  • Ground Turmeric0.25 tsp
  • Saltfor marinade0.5 tsp
  • Cumin Seeds0.5 tsp
  • Green Cardamom Podslightly crushed1.5 pods
  • Ground Coriander0.5 tsp
  • Garam Masalafor sauce0.5 tsp
  • Kashmiri Chilli Powderfor sauce0.5 tsp
  • Kasuri Methidried fenugreek leaves0.5 tbsp
  • Saltto taste

Oils & Condiments

  • Lemon Juice1 tbsp
  • Vegetable Oil0.5 tbsp
  • Honey0.5 tbsp

Utensils

  • large bowl
  • heavy casserole
  • wooden spoon
  • stick blender
  • meat thermometer
  • grater
  • chef's knife
  • cutting board

Method

1

Cut the lamb shoulder into 4cm chunks if not already done. Mince the garlic, grate the ginger, and finely dice the onion. Lightly crush the cardamom pods.

Approx. 10 minutes
2

In a large bowl, mix the yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, Kashmiri chilli, garam masala, cumin, turmeric, and salt. Add the lamb, coat thoroughly, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Approx. 240 minutes
3

Heat 0.5 tbsp vegetable oil and 10g butter in a heavy casserole over high heat. Remove the lamb from the marinade and sear in batches for 3–4 minutes, turning, until deeply browned. Transfer to a plate.

Approx. 8 minutes
4

Add 15g butter to the same pan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cardamom pods. Cook for 12 minutes until deep golden.

Approx. 12 minutes
5

Add the garlic, ginger, and cumin seeds. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant.

Approx. 2 minutes
6

Stir in the tomato purée and cook for 2 minutes until darkened.

Approx. 2 minutes
7

Add the tinned tomatoes, stock, ground coriander, garam masala, and Kashmiri chilli. Stir well.

Approx. 2 minutes
8

Return the seared lamb to the pan. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 55–60 minutes until the lamb is completely tender. Check internal temperature reaches 70°C using a meat thermometer.

Approx. 60 minutes
9

Remove the cardamom pods. Use a stick blender to blend the sauce around the lamb until smooth.

Approx. 3 minutes
10

Stir in the remaining 15g butter, double cream, and honey over low heat. Season with salt.

Approx. 2 minutes
11

Simmer gently for 5 minutes. Rub the kasuri methi between your palms and stir in.

Approx. 5 minutes
12

Serve garnished with fresh coriander.

Approx. 1 minutes