Authentic Mutton Korma Recipe (Lamb Korma) is a traditional fragrant and rich Awadhi mutton dish cooked in brown onions, yogurt and nut based gravy.
One of the finest royal mutton recipes loaded with rich Mughlai flavours to feast on together with your family.
Here is how to make it step by step in an Instant pot and pressure cooker.
Kebabs, kormas, biryanis are a section of lavish Awadhi cuisine since Mughal era. Lucknowi cuisine, especially, curries and qormas are basically a meat or chicken braised with spices, some nuts, browned onions and yogurt.
They are mostly a mild preparation making a use of Kashmiri red chilies to get rich red colour but gentle on palate.
About the recipe
Traditional mutton korma or gosht korma is a rich Lucknowi stew of lamb or goat meat slow cooked in brown onions, nuts, spices, yogurt and aromatic essences like saffron and kewda (screw pine).
The aura of this korma is unique, rich, smooth, delicate and exceptional.
Yogurt gives a beautiful velvety base, ground brown onions gives texture and gentle spices with nuts gives richness to this exceptional korma recipe.
The prime ingredient that gives this royal mutton curry, a rich aromatic soul is kewra, also known as screw pine. And of course Saffron!
Kewra is an immensely important element when we talk about the preparation of Awadhi or Mughlai recipes like Biryanis, Kormas and kababs.
Traditionally, this shahi mutton korma recipe is prepared in copper handis over a charcoal fire. For a crunch of time, you can go ahead with pressure cooking.
But if the time permits, I would highly recommend you to cook it in handi or pot on stove top, braising the meat in spices for hours until done.
In our Muslim community, it is one of the top menu dish in weddings or celebrations in Northern India, especially in Lucknow. Very commonly referred to as shadi wala korma (korma made in weddings) in many homes.
Best meat cut for korma
Primarily, the best meat cut for the preparation of mutton korma is lamb or goat shoulder cut.
Especially, when you are planning to make it traditionally in handi (pot) over stove top, I would highly recommend you to use this particular cut.
Shoulder cut meat is soft in texture, succulent, delicious and cooks much faster than the raan or hind leg cut. Raan or hind leg cut is best for barbecues and kababs.
However, you can choose to use hind leg cut for pressure cooker method.
Personally, I always prefer using goat shoulder meat due to a reason that it gives a perfect taste, quality and appearance to the whole dish.
What ingredients goes in korma recipe?
Meat - Goat or lamb on bone cut into medium sized pieces. You can also use beef cut to make this korma recipe. Avoid using too much of ribs or chops.
Brown Onions or caramelised onions - As I always store brown onions or birista in bulk, the job gets easier for me. But, I am demonstrating below how to fry onions to make korma. Or you can also refer to this link to make birista in bulk and freeze.
Yogurt - A well whisked full fat yogurt gives amazing velvety texture and taste to the dish. In order to avoid splitting of yogurt while cooking, you may add 1 teaspoon of cornflour.
Spice Powders - Red chilli powder, coriander powder, salt
Whole Spices - Cinnamon stick, green cardamom, peppercorns, cloves, nutmeg and mace
Nuts and Seeds - Almonds or Cashew nuts and Poppy seeds.
In most of Middle East region, poppy seeds are banned, hence the unavailability. In this case you can use melon seeds to make mutton korma.
If you are allergic to cashews, then go on ahead with using almonds. Blanch and peel it, and then blend it with onions to make a paste.
Kewra essence and Saffron soaked in milk
Other ingredients - Ginger paste, garlic paste, oil and ghee
Cool tips to make best korma
As I have mentioned above, select the best fresh meat cut to make kormas.
Brown onions are the base to any korma recipes. Be sure to fry them on medium heat to golden only to avoid it getting burnt. The burnt onions will lend bitter and bad flavours to the dish.
Traditionally, korma is cooked in ghee only. But you can use oil or a mix of ghee and oil, both.
Always sear the meat in ghee or oil, as it will lock the meat juices within and will give rich flavour to the curry.
Avoid adding too much of water at a time, as the consistency of the dish it not watery or thin but a nice medium thick gravy. So 1 kg of meat should have 450 ml or max 2 cups of water for perfect consistency especially when cooking in pressure cooker.
Always whisk the yogurt or curd very well before adding it to the masalas. This will avoid it getting split. However, even after whisking it well, if you are worried about its splitting, then add 1 teaspoon of cornflour and whisk it well. This way yogurt won't curdle at all.
Authentic Awadhi Korma do not call for the addition of turmeric powder and green chilies. Hence avoid it if you want to relish the real Mughlai version of the korma dish.
The mutton korma recipe can easily be made in pressure cooker, Slow Cooker as well as in Instant pot. Below you will find the step by step instructions for instant pot and pressure cooker method.
Some of the best mutton recipes you may want to try:
This preparation of Awadhi mutton curry is simple yet glamorous and aromatic. And yes, not only with Naans or sheermals, but you can call for parathas or even phulkas and Pulaos or Jeera Rice to brace up this lamb korma beautifully.
When you have guest at your home, surprise them with this delectable rich preparation from Lucknow and enrich your spread to royal one.
Not only this mutton korma is our family favourite but the most popular Awadhi Mutton Yakhni Pulao is also our all time love.
If you wish to make in a traditional manner, which I would highly recommend you, then follow the same steps to make it in handi or pot.
Just that, cooking time will vary, which will be more in making traditional handi mutton korma than the pressure cooker method.
Step by Step Recipe
Preparation of korma masala
To begin with, soak a pinch of saffron in 2-3 tablespoons of milk and keep it aside.
Now, dry roast the 10-12 cashew nuts, 1 tsp poppy seeds, 5-6 green cardamom, 1.5 inch of cinnamon sticks, 2 black cardamoms, 6-8 cloves and 6-8 peppercorns.
Then, in a pan, heat 5 tbsps of oil. Then, add 3 large finely sliced onion
Fry them until golden brown and crisp. Do not over brown them as it might give the bitter to korma.
Take the onions out onto a plate. You can use the remaining oil with ghee to make korma
Once the brown onions are done, then in a blender, add all the dry roasted ingredients along with brown onions. Now, blend it to make a smooth paste. Set it aside.
How to make korma in pressure cooker
1. Heat the 5 tbsps ghee mixture, add 1 kg of mutton pieces and fry until they sear to nice golden brown.
2. Once done, take the mutton pieces out and reserve.
3. Now, add remaining 2 tbsp ghee, add 1 tbsp ginger paste and 1 tbsp garlic paste in the same handi and fry well for 2-3 minutes.
4. Then ground masala onion paste, 1 tbsp coriander powder and ¾ tbsp Kashmiri red chili powder, mix well.
5. Add 250 gms of whisked yogurt and stir until well blended.
6. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until oil starts releasing out.
7. Then add fried mutton pieces, salt and 450 ml water. Cover and pressure cook until mutton is just tender.
8. Then, add saffron milk, mace powder, nutmeg powder, kewda essence and mix, cook for another 2 minutes
Fragrant delicious Lucknowi Gosht Korma is ready to serve.
Finally, garnish Awadhi mutton korma with some coriander leaves (optional) and serve hot with Nan, sheermal, paratha or Pulao of your choice.
Making Korma in Instant Pot
1. Place the inner pot and switch on the IP. Press 'Sauté' mode and wait until it displays 'Hot'. Then heat 5 tbsps ghee. Add 1 kg mutton pieces and sear the meat on high for 2-3 minutes
2. Take the seared meat out on to a plate and set aside.
3. Add remaining 2 tbsp ghee in the pot. Then add 1 tbsp ginger and 1 tbsp garlic paste. Fry for 30 seconds on normal sauté mode. Stir to avoid it getting stuck at the bottom.
4. Add brown onions masala paste, ¾ tbsp Kashmiri red chilli powder and 1 tbsp coriander powder. Stir and cook for minute. Add 2 tablespoons of water to scrape everything from the bottom
5. Then, add 250 gms of whisked yogurt and stir immediately. Cook for 30 seconds
6. Add seared meat, salt and 450 ml of water and mix.
7. Close the lid of the pot with vent in sealing position, switch off the sauté mode and press manual/pressure cook mode. Set the timer to 18 minutes on 'High'and allow it to cook.
8. Once the IP beeps, allow the pressure to release naturally for 6-7 minutes and then quick release.
Switch on the sauté mode on low, add saffron milk, nutmeg-mace powder and kewda, mix and cook for another 1 minute only. Instant Pot Awadhi Mutton Korma is ready to serve.
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📖 Recipe
Mutton Korma Recipe
Ingredients
To make mutton korma we need:
- 1 kg Lamb or Goat Meat ( (mutton on bone) cut in pieces.)
- 3 Onions (large size, finely Sliced or ¾ cup of brown fried onions)
- 250 gms Yogurt (whisked well)
- 1 tbsp Coriander powder
- 1 tbsp Ginger paste
- 1 tbsp Garlic paste
- ¾ tbsp Kashmiri red chili powder
- Few drops of Kewda essence
- A pinch of saffron soaked in 3 tablespoons of warm milk
- ¼ tsp Nutmeg powder
- ¼ tsp Mace powder
- 7 tbsp Ghee
- 450 ml Water
Whole spices to dry roast:
- 1.5 inch Cinnamon stick
- 4-5 Green cardamom
- 6-8 Cloves
- 6-8 Black peppercorn
- 1 tsp Poppy seeds
- 10 Almonds or Cashew Nuts
- 2 Black cardamom
Instructions
Preparation of korma masala
- Soak a pinch of saffron in 2-3 tablespoons of milk and keep it aside.
- Dry roast the cashew nuts poppy seeds and whole spices
- Heat 5 tbsps of oil in pan. Then, add 3 large finely sliced onion.
- Fry them until golden brown and crisp. Do not over brown them as it might give the bitter to korma.
- Take the onions out onto a plate. You can use the remaining oil with ghee to make korma
- Once the brown onions are done, then in a blender, add all the dry roasted ingredients along with brown onions.
- Now, blend it to make a smooth paste. Set it aside
How to make mutton korma on stove top
- Now, heat 5 tbsp ghee in pressure cooker
- Add mutton pieces and fry until they sear to nice golden brown.
- Take the mutton pieces out and reserve.
- Add remaining ghee in the same pressure cooker.
- Now, add ginger paste and garlic paste and fry well for 2-3 minutes.
- Then ground masala-onion paste, coriander powder and red chili powder, mix well.
- Add whisked yogurt and stir until well blended.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes or until oil starts oozing out.
- Then add fried mutton pieces, salt and 450 ml of water.
- Cover and pressure cook until mutton is just tender.
- Then, add saffron milk, kewda essence, mace and nutmeg powder and mix.
- Fragrant mutton korma is ready to serve.
How to make mutton korma in instant pot
- Place the inner pot and switch on the IP.
- Press 'Sauté' mode and wait until it displays 'Hot'.
- Heat 5 tbsp ghee. Add 1 kg mutton pieces and sear the meat on high for 2-3 minutes
- Take the seared meat out on to a plate and set aside. Add remaining ghee in the pot.
- Add ginger and garlic paste. Fry for 30 seconds on normal sauté mode. Stir to avoid it getting stuck at the bottom.
- Add brown onions masala paste, red chilli powder and coriander powder. Stir and cook for minute.
- Add 2-3 tablespoons of water to scrape everything from the bottom
- Then, add whisked yogurt and stir immediately. Cook for 30 seconds
- Add seared meat, salt and 450 ml of water and mix.
- Close the lid of the pot with vent in sealing position. Switch of the sauté mode and press manual/pressure Cook mode. Set the timer to 18 minutes on 'High' and allow it to cook.
- Once the IP beeps, allow the pressure to release naturally for 6-7 minutes and then quick release.
- Switch on the sauté mode on low, add saffron milk, nutmeg-mace powder and kewda, mix and cook for another 1 minute only.
- Instant Pot Awadhi Mutton Korma is ready to serve.
Notes
- Traditionally, korma recipe is made in copper handi, but we can make it in a instant pot and pressure cooker to save time.
- You can make it in slow cooker also.
- You can make mutton korma in oil instead of ghee or use a mix of oil and thee both.
- 450 ml of water is enough too get perfect korma consistency. But of you feel its too thick for your taste., then you can add little more water to it.
Sumit says
Came out finger liking - YUM
Farrukh Aziz says
Thank you so much Sumit, I am glad you liked it 🙂
Leena Jacob says
Omg Farrukh! I cant tell you how delicious this mutton korma was, I made this yesterday as I had guest over lunch. Undoubtedly the best Awadhi Korma I have come across. It wa finger licking good and we all loved it, thanks for sharing this amazing recipe.
Farrukh Aziz says
Thank you so much for the positive feedback Leena, am so glad you all loved it alot 🙂
Rakhshi Fatma Ansari says
I haven't seen this delicious Lucknowi recipe yet!
Farrukh Aziz says
Thank you so much dear Rakhshi 🙂
Alka Singh Rana says
This lipsmacking Lucknowi korma was our weekend lunch. It is the best mutton korma i have made so far. Have been looking for the perfect recipe since long, finally got one. Thanks Farrukh
Farrukh Aziz says
Thank you so much ALka, Glad you loved it 😉
This is one of the favourite recipes for weekend meals
Regards
Farrukh
Uma T says
That red color n delicious recipe must be tasty too. I wouldbe trying it soon
Farrukh Aziz says
Thank you Uma 🙂
Regards
Farrukh
Sanah says
Any substitute for poppy seeds ???
Farrukh Aziz says
yes, you can substitute it with melon seeds
yogesh ahire says
i want say only Yummy
maha says
awesome pics vch r calling me...nice presentation n lovely blog too.Btw dear,i would like to invite u to write a guest post in my blog..if u interested will tell u d more details.:)
shabina says
This is just tempting..I want to try this out..but want to ask you what if I want to use tenderon for mutton..how much should I use as I live in lil bit high altitude where meat takes time even in pressure cooker to get tender
Farrukh Aziz says
Thanks bunch Shabina 🙂
a tablespoon raw papaya paste is generally added to 1 kg of meat. what tenderiser are you using Shabina??
Shabina says
Thanks for the reply farrukh....we generally use raw papaya while marinating kebabs...but let me know after adding papaya...is there any need to use pressure cooker
Farrukh Aziz says
Hi Shabina
if add raw papaya for marination,pressure cooking is not required.:)
dixya | food, pleasure, and health says
this is making me sooo hungry!!!
Farrukh Aziz says
🙂
Sandeep says
अब रेस्टोरेंट जाने की ज़रूरत नही।
Thanks U So Much
Farrukh Aziz says
bilkul 🙂