Lamb Khorma

A rich and aromatic Indian curry made with tender lamb, cashews, and warm spices in a creamy yogurt sauce. This classic dish combines the flavors of cardamom, cumin, and coriander with a luxurious cashew-based gravy.

6 servings

5 hr 27 min

Published October 4, 2025

Ingredients

•2½ lb boneless lamb leg
•to taste salt
•to taste ground white pepper
•1½ cups plain yogurt
•2 tbsp minced ginger root
•1 tbsp minced garlic
•2 tsp ground cardamom
•12 oz cashew nuts
•¼ cup ghee
•3 cups yellow onion
•1 tsp ground cumin
•1 tsp ground cardamom
•1 tsp ground fennel
•2 tbsp ground coriander
•6 whole Thai bird chiles
•⅓ cup cilantro stems
•1 cup heavy cream
•to taste salt
•½ cup cilantro leaves
•1 cup pan-roasted cashews
•tips

Cooking Instructions

1.
1. Trim the lamb and cut it into large pieces. Season with salt and pepper and put in a bowl. Add the yogurt, 1 tbsp ginger, the garlic, and cardamom. Stir or toss until the ingredients are evenly distributed and the lamb is coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 3 hours.
180 min
2.
2. Put the cashews in a small bowl and add enough hot water to cover them. Let the cashews soak for 30 minutes and then drain. Grind the drained cashews to a coarse paste in a food processor. Set aside.
30 min
3.
3. Heat the ghee or oil in a casserole or Dutch oven over medium heat until it shimmers. Add the onion and sauté until transparent, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the cumin, cardamom, fennel, the remaining ginger, and the coriander. Cook, stirring often until aromatic, about 2 minutes. Add the chiles, cilantro stems, and cashew paste and stir well to be sure that nothing is sticking. Sauté, stirring frequently and adding water a tablespoon at a time if necessary, until the mixture is very aromatic, about 2 minutes.
12 min
4.
4. Add the lamb and the yogurt marinade, increase the heat, and stir until the pieces are evenly coated. Once the meat's juices begin to flow, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer very slowly, stirring occasionally, until the meat is nearly tender, about 1 1/2 hours.
90 min
5.
5. Add the cream and continue to simmer until the curry is flavorful and thickened and the lamb is tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Season to taste with additional salt, pepper, or chopped bird chile. Serve garnished with the cilantro leaves and cashews.
15 min

Ingredients

•2½ lb boneless lamb leg

•to taste salt

•to taste ground white pepper

•1½ cups plain yogurt

•2 tbsp minced ginger root

•1 tbsp minced garlic

•2 tsp ground cardamom

•12 oz cashew nuts

•¼ cup ghee

•3 cups yellow onion

•1 tsp ground cumin

•1 tsp ground cardamom

•1 tsp ground fennel

•2 tbsp ground coriander

•6 whole Thai bird chiles

•⅓ cup cilantro stems

•1 cup heavy cream

•to taste salt

•½ cup cilantro leaves

•1 cup pan-roasted cashews

•tips

Cooking Instructions

1. Trim the lamb and cut it into large pieces. Season with salt and pepper and put in a bowl. Add the yogurt, 1 tbsp ginger, the garlic, and cardamom. Stir or toss until the ingredients are evenly distributed and the lamb is coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 3 hours.

180 min

2. Put the cashews in a small bowl and add enough hot water to cover them. Let the cashews soak for 30 minutes and then drain. Grind the drained cashews to a coarse paste in a food processor. Set aside.

30 min

3. Heat the ghee or oil in a casserole or Dutch oven over medium heat until it shimmers. Add the onion and sauté until transparent, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the cumin, cardamom, fennel, the remaining ginger, and the coriander. Cook, stirring often until aromatic, about 2 minutes. Add the chiles, cilantro stems, and cashew paste and stir well to be sure that nothing is sticking. Sauté, stirring frequently and adding water a tablespoon at a time if necessary, until the mixture is very aromatic, about 2 minutes.

12 min

4. Add the lamb and the yogurt marinade, increase the heat, and stir until the pieces are evenly coated. Once the meat's juices begin to flow, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer very slowly, stirring occasionally, until the meat is nearly tender, about 1 1/2 hours.

90 min

5. Add the cream and continue to simmer until the curry is flavorful and thickened and the lamb is tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Season to taste with additional salt, pepper, or chopped bird chile. Serve garnished with the cilantro leaves and cashews.

15 min