Eid centrepiece · Slow roast
Mutton Raan Recipe (Whole Roast Leg of Lamb)
Score deep. Marinate overnight. Low then high.
Recipe by Farwa ZeeshanTested in the NineFoods home kitchenRaan is a whole leg of lamb marinated and slow roasted for Eid and weddings, tender enough to pull apart with a spoon. It dries out when roasted hot and fast. The fix is scoring deep, a papaya and yoghurt marinade overnight, braising covered on low heat, then a short high-heat finish to colour.
The 3 laws of mutton raan
Why this recipe works
Surface cuts
Marinade reaches the bone.
Short
Tender meat.
Hot throughout
Juicy, falling off the bone.
Shopping and prep list
Ingredients
Raan
The NineFoods raan gauge
Is it tender?
Push a fork into the thickest part.
Method · 3 stages
Step by step
Marinate
- Score deep; rub with papaya and lemon, then the rest of the marinade; rest overnight.
Braise
- Sear, add water, cover tightly and roast, basting every hour. Use the gauge above.
Finish
- Uncover, baste with ghee and colour.
Chef's troubleshooter
What went wrong? Pick the symptom
Why
Hot and uncovered.
Fix next time
Cover and cook low.
Why
Short marinade.
Fix next time
Overnight with papaya.
Why
Shallow cuts.
Fix next time
Score to the bone.
Why
No water.
Fix next time
Add water to the tray.
Swap smart
Ingredient roles and substitutes
| Ingredient | Job in the dish | Swap with |
|---|---|---|
| Leg of lamb | Main | Mutton shoulder |
| Papaya | Tenderiser | Tenderiser powder |
| Oven | Cooking | Heavy pot on the stove, low |
| Ghee | Basting | Butter |
After the meal
Serve, store, reheat
Serve with
Naan, rice and raita.
Store
Fridge 3 days.
Reheat
Covered in a low oven.
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 8 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 it 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 Raan FAQ
What is raan?
A whole spiced leg of lamb, slow roasted.
How long does raan take?
About 4 hours plus overnight marinating.
Can I cook raan on the stove?
Yes, in a heavy covered pot on low.
When is raan made?
For Eid al-Adha and celebrations.