Pakistani karahi classic · Tender mutton
Mutton Karahi Recipe (Restaurant Style Lamb Karahi)
Cook mutton first. Tomatoes on high. Ginger and pepper finish.
Recipe by Farwa ZeeshanTested in the NineFoods home kitchenMutton karahi is the dish Pakistanis order at every highway dhaba: tender bone-in mutton in a thick tomato masala, finished with ginger and green chilli. At home the meat stays tough while the tomatoes burn. The fix is cooking the mutton covered in its own juices until tender first, then adding tomatoes and bhuno-ing on high heat.
The 3 laws of mutton karahi
Why this recipe works
Tomatoes with raw meat
Meat softens before the masala dries.
Low heat
Thick, glossy karahi.
Garam masala heavy
Clean karahi flavour.
Shopping and prep list
Ingredients
Karahi
The NineFoods karahi gauge
Is the mutton tender?
Press a piece against the side.
Method · 3 stages
Step by step
Mutton
- Fry mutton with ginger garlic and salt, then cover and cook in its own juices.
- Use the gauge above.
Tomatoes
- Add tomatoes and spices; bhuno on high until tomatoes melt and oil separates.
Finish
- Stir in yoghurt, cook 2 minutes; add ginger, chillies and coriander.
Chef's troubleshooter
What went wrong? Pick the symptom
Why
Tomatoes added early.
Fix next time
Cook meat tender first.
Why
Low heat.
Fix next time
Bhuno on high.
Why
Raw tomatoes.
Fix next time
Cook until they melt.
Why
Little pepper.
Fix next time
Add crushed pepper at the end.
Swap smart
Ingredient roles and substitutes
| Ingredient | Job in the dish | Swap with |
|---|---|---|
| Mutton | Main | Lamb or goat |
| Tomatoes | Body | Canned plum tomatoes |
| Ghee | Flavour | Oil |
| Pressure cooker | Time | 4 whistles before tomatoes |
After the meal
Serve, store, reheat
Serve with
Naan, roti and salad.
Store
Fridge 3 days; freezes well.
Reheat
Low heat with a splash of water.
How we tested this recipe
Tested in a home kitchen, not a studio
Recipe developed and tested by Farwa Zeeshan, who cooks and tests every NineFoods recipe on a regular home stove.
- Cooked from start to finish with the exact quantities above for 4 servings, using both the metric and US cup measures.
- Every one of the 3 stages was timed at the stove; heat levels and the 'look for' cues are what we saw in the pan.
- The doneness check (is the mutton tender) and the troubleshooter come from batches that went wrong, and how we fixed them.
- Reheating and storage advice was checked on leftovers, not guessed.
Keep cooking
Related recipes and guides
Quick answers
Mutton Karahi FAQ
How do I make mutton karahi tender?
Cook the mutton in its own juices before adding tomatoes.
Which cut is best?
Bone-in leg and shoulder, karahi cut.
Can I use a pressure cooker?
Yes, 4 whistles, then bhuno with tomatoes.
Does karahi have onion?
Classic dhaba karahi has no onion.