Authentic Lamb Rogan Josh Recipe
A rich Kashmiri lamb curry slow-cooked with whole spices, yogurt, and vibrant red chili — bold flavor, minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs bone-in lamb shoulder, cubed
- 1 cup plain yogurt, whisked
- 2 large onions, finely diced
- 2 tbsp Kashmiri red chili powder
- 1 tsp ground fennel seeds
- 1 tsp ground ginger powder
- 4 green cardamom pods
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 tbsp mustard oil or ghee
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- 1
Heat mustard oil in a heavy Dutch oven until smoking, then let it cool slightly. Add bay leaves, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon. Fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- 2
Add diced onions and cook on medium heat until deep golden, about 12 minutes.
- 3
Add lamb pieces in batches, searing on all sides until browned, about 5 minutes per batch.
- 4
Mix Kashmiri chili powder, fennel, and ginger powder with 2 tablespoons of water to form a paste. Add to the pot and cook for 2 minutes.
- 5
Add whisked yogurt one spoonful at a time, stirring well after each addition.
- 6
Pour in 1 cup of water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 90 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 7
The dish is ready when the lamb is fork-tender and the oil separates from the sauce. Adjust salt and serve hot.
Chef's Notes
Rogan josh is the crown jewel of Kashmiri cuisine — a slow-braised lamb curry where tender meat falls apart in a deeply spiced, crimson-red sauce. The name translates to "cooked in oil at intense heat," reflecting the technique of blooming whole spices in hot oil before braising.
Choosing the Right Cut
Bone-in lamb shoulder or leg pieces are essential. The bones add gelatin to the sauce, creating a silky texture you can't achieve with boneless cuts. Ask your butcher to cut them into 2-inch pieces for even cooking.
The Kashmiri Chili Secret
Authentic rogan josh gets its color from Kashmiri red chili powder — which provides deep red color with moderate heat, unlike cayenne. This is the same technique our chefs use at Spice Room to achieve that signature hue.
Low and Slow
The key to perfect rogan josh is patience. Braising for 90 minutes allows the lamb to become fork-tender while the sauce concentrates. Pair with our fresh naan to soak up every drop. Find us at any of our Denver locations.
SPICE ROOM Kitchen
Culinary Team
The SPICE ROOM culinary team collaborates on recipes inspired by generations of family cooking traditions from across India and Nepal. Every recipe we share is tested and refined in our Denver kitchens to bring you authentic flavors at home.
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