Lamb Rogan Josh (Stove Top or Instant Pot | Slimming Eats Recipes (2024)

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Lamb Rogan Josh - tender fall apart pieces of lamb in a delicious aromatic rich curry sauce that can be cooked stove top or in an Instant Pot.

Lamb Rogan Josh (Stove Top or Instant Pot | Slimming Eats Recipes (1)

Rogan Josh (Roghan Ghosht)

I love Indian food, it is one of my favourite cuisines and I being introduced to the food from a very young age (my father worked in ventilation for the restaurant businesses), I have been loving creating my own versions of some of my favourite dishes over the last few years

One of my favourite Indian dishes is Rogan Josh (Roghan Ghosht) - a curry most typically made with pieces of red meat like lamb, beef or goat, cooked until tender in a delicious rich gravy flavoured with a range of aromatic spices.

Instant Pot Rogan Josh

As well as cooking this delicious dish on the stovetop, if you have a pressure cooker (Instant Pot) then you can cut down the cooking time of this recipe and still have amazingly tender fall apart pieces of meat.

You may be wondering, What is an Instant Pot? An Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) is a 7in1 cooker, that slow cooks, pressure cooks, sautes and has settings for soup, chilli, rice, porridge etc. It will literally cook these meatballs in minutes, so perfect for when you need a meal on the table quickly.

(As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

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Since buying my Instant Pot, I use it on a regular basis, it’s not one of those gadgets that sit in my cupboard forgotten. In fact, it never goes away.

Instant Pot is a brand of an electric pressure cooker, but there are various other brands and options out there.

Lamb Rogan Josh (Stove Top or Instant Pot | Slimming Eats Recipes (3)

What is Ghee?

You will notice I use ghee in this recipe and may be wondering what it is? Ghee is the name for clarified butter, it’s not the same as a block of butter. Ghee is unsalted butter that is heated to remove the milk solids, the final result being a beautiful golden liquid that is a perfect cooking fat with a high smoke point.

It is commonly used in Indian cooking and will take your curries and Indian dishes to a whole other level that you just won’t achieve with regular cooking oils.

If you struggle to find ghee, you can use another cooking oil of your choice in its place, but I recommend sourcing some ghee if you can. It will last for ages and is great in all kinds of cooking.

Can I omit the Ghee or Oil in this recipe?

While it is possible to cook this dish with cooking oil spray, you will not get that same lovely cooking of the base ingredients and spices which all add to the flavour of this dish. So it's something to be aware of if you do make the swap.

Don’t be put off using real ingredients in recipes. This is a lifestyle change not a short term fix and a little bit of ghee or oil for a recipe that serves 4 or more people is not much when you look at it like that.

Lamb Rogan Josh (Stove Top or Instant Pot | Slimming Eats Recipes (4)

Deggi Mirch Chilli Powder

Another unusual ingredient you might spot in this recipe is something called Deggi Mirch, which is basically a good quality chilli powder made from a variety of Indian Red Chillies (usually Kashmiri Chillies and Red Peppers) it has a vibrant red colour that will add beautiful colour to your dishes.

It’s a great ingredient to add to your spice collection if you enjoy Indian cooking, but any medium heat chilli powder will work in its place.

Can I use Chicken in Rogan Josh?

I only ever make this with lamb or beef, because I just love how tender the meat is and it really absorbs all the flavours of the spices.

If you do want to use chicken, it will require a lot less cooking time and you may need to adjust the liquids. Plus I would use boneless skinless chicken thighs, as I think chicken breast would really lack the flavour as it cooks quickly and doesn't take on all those flavours as well as other types of meat.

Let me know in the comments if you do try it with chicken and what adjustments you make.

Lamb Rogan Josh (Stove Top or Instant Pot | Slimming Eats Recipes (5)

Sides for Rogan Josh

There are many sides that go well with this delicious recipe. I like to keep it simple with some basmati rice, cilantro (coriander) and a very simple Cucumber Mint Raita.

Cucumber Mint Raita

To make the Raita I combine the following:

  • ¾ cup of plain fat free Greek yoghurt
  • juice of half a lime
  • pinch of dried mint (or you can use fresh mint chopped)
  • 100g of diced cucumber
  • ¼ of a small red onion, finely diced
  • pinch of salt
  • little maple syrup (or can use sweetener) but this is optional
  • pinch of ground cumin
  • pinch of ground coriander
  • (or if you have some MDH Chutney Pudina Masala Powder, you can add a pinch of that in place of the cumin/coriander).

More Indian Fakeaway Recipes

Want to turn this into an Indian Fakeaway Feast? Check out these recipes below from my Indian Fakeaway Recipessection

  • Lamb Bhuna
  • Onion Bhaji
  • Tandoori Chicken
  • Tarka Dhal
  • Beef Dhansak
  • Chicken Korma
  • Butter Chicken
  • Sweetcorn Pilau Rice
  • Aloo Gobi
  • Sweet Potato Naan/Flatbread
  • Vegetable Pakora
  • Kidney Bean Curry (Rajma)

or head on over to my Full Recipe Index with over 900 delicious Slimming Eats and Weight Watchers friendly recipes all fully searchable by meal type, ingredients etc

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This recipe was originally created on the 20 February 2016 and updated on 1 July 2020

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Lamb Rogan Josh (Stove Top or Instant Pot)

Yield: SERVES 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes

Lamb Rogan Josh - tender fall apart pieces of lamb in a delicious aromatic rich curry sauce and can be cooked stove top or in an Instant Pot.

Ingredients

  • 700g (24.5oz) of lamb shoulder, visible fat removed and chopped into chunks
  • 1 tablespoon of ghee (or other oil of your choice) –
  • 2 onions, diced finely
  • 3 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 tablespoon of freshly grated ginger root
  • 1.5 teaspoons of Deggi Mirch (or medium/hot chilli powder)
  • 1 teaspoon of turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 2 teaspoons of garam masala
  • 5 green cardamom pods
  • 5 whole cloves
  • a couple of pieces of cinnamon bark (or use a pinch of cinnamon if you don't have these)
  • 1 cup (240ml) of crushed tomatoes, canned (or passata) - use ½ cup (120ml) of for Instant Pot method
  • 1 tablespoon of tomato paste (puree) - (use 2 tablespoons if using passata)
  • 1 cup (240ml) of water - use ½ cup (120ml) for Instant Pot method
  • 4 tablespoons (¼ cup) of fat-free plain yoghurt
  • salt to season

Instructions

STOVE TOP

  1. Add the ghee to a deep lidded frying pan over medium-high heat.
  2. Once hot, add the onion and fry till golden and translucent.
  3. Add the turmeric, garlic and ginger and fry for a further few mins.
  4. Add in the lamb, garam masala, Deggi Mirch (chilli powder, salt and continue to fry for a couple of minutes until the lamb is coated in all the spices.
  5. Stir in the cardamom pods, cloves and cinnamon bark.
  6. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and water, bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover with a lid and simmer for approx 1 hour and 30 mins, until lamb is tender. If it gets too dry just add a little water at a time.
  7. Once cooked, taste and season with some more salt if needed. Add the yoghurt to a bowl, and spoon some of the hot gravy into the yoghurt and whisk until combined, yoghurt should no longer be cold. This helps prevent it from splitting when added into the hot sauce.
  8. Add the yoghurt mixture into the lamb and stir until combined.
  9. Serve with your choice of sides and Enjoy!!

INSTANT POT

  1. Set instant pot to saute mode, add ghee and wait for it to display hot.
  2. Add the onion and fry until golden and translucent, then add in the turmeric, garlic and ginger and fry for a further few mins.
  3. Add in the lamb, garam masala, Deggi Mirch (chilli powder), salt and continue to fry for a couple of minutes until the lamb is coated in all the spices.
  4. Stir in the cardamom pods, cloves and cinnamon bark.
  5. Add the crushed tomatoes and water, mix to combine, ensuring you scrape any bits that may have stuck to the bottom of the pan, otherwise, you may get a burn notice and it won't get to pressure.
  6. Spoon the tomato paste onto the top (do not stir)
  7. Add lid, close valve (if not self-sealing) and then set Instant Pot to cook on high pressure for 25 minutes. Once Instant Pot beeps to signal it has finished cooking, allow pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes and then release any remaining pressure.
  8. Stir, taste and season with some more salt if needed. If you require sauce to thicken more, set it to saute mode and let it bubble for a few minutes. But turn off from saute mode before following the next step.
  9. Add the yoghurt to a bowl, and spoon some of the hot gravy into the yoghurt and whisk until combined, yoghurt should no longer be cold. This helps prevent it from splitting when added into the hot sauce.
  10. Stir this into the lamb until combined.
  11. Serve with your choice of sides and enjoy!!

Notes

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  • Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
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Nutrition Information

Serving Size 1 SERVING
Amount Per ServingCalories 320Total Fat 13.3gSaturated Fat 7.3gCholesterol 7.5mgSodium 790mgCarbohydrates 13.6gFiber 3.6gSugar 6.6gProtein 37.7g

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Lamb Rogan Josh (Stove Top or Instant Pot | Slimming Eats Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is Rogan Josh sauce made of? ›

A tomato and onion based sauce with ground mixed spices including fennel and paprika.

Is a Rogan Josh hot? ›

The dish comes originally from Persia where rogan means 'oil' and josh means 'hot'. In other words, this dish is cooked with intense heat. But rogan can also mean 'red', and above all this dish is red and satisfyingly spicy from Kashmiri chillies.

What is Rogan Josh served with? ›

What to serve with Rogan Josh. Something to soak with that glorious sauce is essential. Traditionally basmati (Indian long grain rice) rice is the go, though people suffering through low-carb torture can opt for Cauliflower Rice. Something to mop your bowl clean would also be ideal and traditional.

What cut of lamb is best for curry? ›

Cuts of Lamb

I prefer to use leg for a basic curry as it's fairly lean, neck fillet works really too. I like to ensure the meat is as trim as possible.

How do you thicken Rogan Josh sauce? ›

Tomato puree/ paste

Adding tomato puree is probably the most common method of thickening curry sauces. Simply add the tomato puree during the cooking process rather than adding it at the end. This will help to thicken your curry or pasta sauce from the beginning, speeding up the cooking time.

What is the most popular Indian lamb dish? ›

According to Taste Atlas' 'Top 50 Best Lamb Dishes In The World', Rogan Josh and Galouti kebab are amongst some of the most beloved lamb dishes, not only in India but, in the world.

Is Lamb Rogan Josh unhealthy? ›

As for lamb Rogan Josh, Abbie said: "Two key ingredients of the Rogan Josh are red meat (lamb) and ghee, making it a less heart-healthy option." Ghee contains saturated fat, so eating too much of it can lead to elevated cholesterol and heart disease risk.

What is the difference between lamb Rogan and Rogan Josh? ›

Rogan, pronounced as “roughan” means “oil or ghee” in Persian, while in Urdu, it may mean “brown or red”. On the other hand, “Josh” (jus) refers “to braise” or “stew”. Other meaning may be the intense heat. So Rogan josh may mean one that is “stewed or braised in ghee”.

Is Lamb Rogan Josh good? ›

Some may regard Rogan Josh as the epitome of Indian Lamb curries. You would be hard bent not to find it as a regular offering at your local Indian takeaway or restaurant menu. It is the Butter Chicken of lamb dishes, for the Western world anyway!

What do you drink with lamb Rogan Josh? ›

A classic curry-house favourite which should be more aromatic than hot and spicy and could comfortably be partnered by gewürztraminer or succulent reds like zinfandel, full rich Spanish reds or ripe shiraz.

What is the main ingredient in Rogan? ›

Rogan josh consists of pieces of lamb or mutton braised with a gravy flavoured with garlic, ginger and aromatic spices (clove, bay leaves, cardamom, and cinnamon), and in some versions incorporating onions or yoghurt. After initial braising, the dish may be finished using the dampokhtak slow cooking technique.

What is special about Rogan Josh? ›

Rogan Josh is an Indian curry characterized by a thick, delicious red sauce with delicate meat. In Persian, "Rogan" means clarified butter or oil, or "red" in Hindi, and "josh" denotes passion – fiery or hot, therefore, this meal is all about cooking in an oil-based sauce with high heat.

Is it better to cook lamb slow or fast? ›

Lower temp = more succulent meat – Tough cuts like lamb shoulder need slow-cooking to tenderise them. The lower the roasting temperature, the less total moisture evaporation and thus juicier meat.

Does lamb get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

The leg and rack of lamb are perfect for herb-crusting and oven-roasting; since the shank and shoulder are a bit tougher, they fare well in stews or braises—the long cook time allows them to significantly break down and become fork-tender.

Can Jews eat lamb? ›

Sheep, cattle, goats and deer are all kosher and may be eaten. From the water, anything that has fins and scales may be consumed; prohibiting all shellfish.

What does Rogan Josh taste like? ›

What Does Rogan Josh Taste Like? Rogan Josh is rich with clarified butter, aromatic with spices like cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom, deep red in color because of paprika, and complex with a base flavor of onion, garlic, and ginger.

What curry is Rogan Josh similar to? ›

Rogan Josh and Bhuna are so similar in their DNA they could be brother and sister – both go big on tomatoes, but the Bhuna is drier. Balti is the dish you see served in beautiful stainless steel bowls.

What is the difference between curry and Rogan Josh? ›

Similarly, fresh ginger and garlic are not used in the original one. Instead, asafetida is added to get the flavor base of onion and garlic. The usage of onions, tomatoes, ginger and garlic makes it a regular Mutton curry and not ROGAN JOSH.

Why is it called Rogan Josh? ›

Rogan Josh is an Indian curry characterized by a thick, delicious red sauce with delicate meat. In Persian, "Rogan" means clarified butter or oil, or "red" in Hindi, and "josh" denotes passion – fiery or hot, therefore, this meal is all about cooking in an oil-based sauce with high heat.

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