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    Home » Recipes » Indian Main Course

    Lamb Vindaloo Recipe

    Published: Mar 14, 2023 · Modified: Aug 13, 2023 by Shilpa Kerur · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

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    5 from 43 votes
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    Lamb vindaloo is a tasty and spicy Goan dish with Portuguese roots. To prepare this dish, the lamb is typically marinated in a flavorful vindaloo masala paste and cooked until the meat is tender and soaks up all the flavors.

    My tried and tested recipe strikes a perfect balance of flavors, with a slight tang from vinegar and tamarind that complements the heat and flavor from the spices without overpowering them. Want to try a milder curry? Check out this recipe to make authentic lamb rezala in Instant Pot.

    Lamb vindaloo served with naan bread.

    Why you will love this vindaloo recipe?

    • This Instant Pot lamb vindaloo recipe is packed with flavor and is easy to prepare.
    • It can also be adjusted to suit individual preferences. For example, reduce the chilies to make the curry milder.
    • The taste and flavor are way better than your favorite takeaway vindaloo. Make Instant Pot vindaloo lamb at home that is better than any takeaway.
    Lamb vindaloo in a white bowl topped with cilantro.

    Ingredients

    Lamb: I am using lamb stew meat in this Instant Pot recipe. Lamb leg or lamb shoulder can also be used. You can also use goat meat in this recipe to make goat vindaloo.

    Spices: The whole dry spices that go into making the masala base are dried chili, whole coriander seeds, whole cumin, cinnamon stick, green cardamom, cloves, and black pepper. Ground turmeric is used when making the curry.

    Souring agents: Both vinegar and tamarind paste are used in the masala paste. White wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be used. Tamarind paste can be substituted with lemon juice.

    See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

    Step-by-step instructions

    Make the masala paste and saute onions.

    Step 1: To a blender, add the vindaloo paste ingredients - whole red chilies, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, black peppercorns, fresh ginger, garlic, vinegar, and tamarind paste. Add ½ cup of water and grind into a smooth paste (images 1 and 2).

    Step 2: In a large bowl, add the lamb stew meat pieces. Pour the ground vindaloo paste and mix well. Let the lamb marinate for at least 30 minutes. You can also marinate it overnight in the refrigerator (image 3).

    Step 3: Heat oil and add the chopped onions. Saute for 5 minutes until the onion begins to brown (image 4).

    Add marinated meat and pressure cook.

    Step 4: Add the marinated meat, ground turmeric, sugar, and salt. Saute for 3 minutes until the meat begins to brown (images 5 and 6).

    Step 5: Add ½ cup of water. Mix well and deglaze the pot. Cancel saute mode and set the Instant Pot to pressure cook mode for 15 minutes on high pressure (images 7 and 8).

    Release pressure and add cilantro.

    Step 6: Do 5 minutes of natural pressure release, then do a quick release. Open the lid once the pressure drops. Top with cilantro and mix well (images 9 and 10).

    Instant Pot lamb vindaloo.
    Hearty and delicious Instant Pot lamb vindaloo

    Expert Tips

    Use Kashmiri red chili (or any dried chili that is mild). It gives a nice and bright color to the curry yet does not make it too hot. To increase the heat level of the curry, use regular red chili powder or cayenne pepper as per your taste buds.

    This dish works best with boneless lamb stew meat pieces that are cut into medium-sized pieces (1.5-2 inch pieces).

    If the curry is too thin after pressure cooking, set the Instant Pot back to saute mode for 4-5 minutes so that it can thicken. However, it usually thickens when cooled down, so this step is purely optional.

    The beauty of this homemade vindaloo is that you can choose the type of meat you like. Follow this authentic lamb vindaloo recipe and replace lamb with chicken or pork meat to make chicken vindaloo and pork vindaloo. Click here to see how to make Instant Pot chicken vindaloo that can be made using chicken breast or thigh. Check out more dairy-free Indian recipes here.

    Serving suggestions

    This authentic lamb vindaloo can also be served with naan, jeera rice, or Basmati rice. It also pairs well with ladi pav (eggless dinner rolls).

    Finish the meal with a glass of chilled mango lassi or sweet lassi to balance the heat. You can also serve this curry with cauliflower rice for a delicious Indian keto meal.

    Recipe FAQs

    How to store lamb vindaloo?

    You can store this lamb vindaloo curry in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. It also freezes well and can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.

    How to make vindaloo curry in a slow cooker?

    To make delicious lamb vindaloo curry in a slow cooker, do the prep and saute the onions and meat in a frying pan. Then, transfer it to a slow cooker and cook it on Low for 9 hours.

    Naan bread dipped in the vindaloo curry sauce.

    If you tried this Lamb Vindaloo Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ? star rating and let me know how it went in the ? comments below.

    Recipe card

    Lamb vindaloo.

    Lamb Vindaloo in Instant Pot

    Lamb vindaloo is a tasty and spicy Goan dish with Portuguese roots. To prepare this dish, the lamb is typically marinated in a flavorful vindaloo masala paste and cooked until the meat is tender and soaks up all the flavors. While it's a popular curry in Indian restaurants, making it at home is quite easy. My tried and tested recipe strikes a perfect balance of flavors, with a slight tang from vinegar and tamarind that complements the heat and flavor from the spices without overpowering them.
    5 from 43 votes
    Print Pin Rate Google logo Add Preferred Source
    Author: Shilpa Kerur
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Indian
    Servings: 6
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot

    Ingredients

    For vindaloo paste:

    • 5 dried red chili Kashmiri or any mild version
    • 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
    • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
    • 3 cloves
    • 2 cardamom
    • ½ inch cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • ½ inch ginger
    • 1 tablespoon vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon tamarind paste
    • ½ cup water

    For the curry:

    • 1 lb lamb stew meat cut into 1½ inch pieces
    • 2 tablespoon oil
    • 1 small onion
    • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
    • ½ teaspoon sugar
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup water
    • 2 tablespoon cilantro
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    Instructions

    Make vindaloo paste and marinate:

    • To a blender, add the vindaloo paste ingredients - dried red chili, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper, ginger, garlic, vinegar, and tamarind paste.
    • Add ¾ cup of water and grind into a smooth paste.
    • In a large bowl, add the lamb pieces. Pour the ground paste and mix well.
    • Let the lamb marinate for at least 30 minutes. You can also marinate it overnight in the refrigerator.

    Making the curry:

    • Set the Instant Pot in saute mode and add oil.
    • Once it heats, add the onions. Saute for 5 minutes, until the onion begins to brown.
    • Add ground turmeric. sugar, and salt.
    • Add the marinated lamb and saute for 4-5 minutes.
    • Add ½ cup of water. Mix well and deglaze the pot.
    • Cancel saute mode and set the Instant Pot to Meat mode for 15 minutes.
    • Do a natural release of pressure for 5 minutes, then do a quick release.
    • If the curry is too thin, set the Instant Pot back to saute mode for 4-5 minutes.
    • Top with cilantro and serve.

    Video

    Notes

    Marinate the meat for at least 30 minutes. You can also plan ahead and marinate it overnight in the refrigerator.
    Use Kashmiri red chili (or any dried chili that is mild). It gives a nice and bright color to the curry yet does not make it too hot. To increase the heat level of the curry, use regular red chili powder or cayenne pepper as per your taste buds.
    This dish works best with boneless lamb stew meat pieces, that are cut into medium-sized pieces (1.5-2 inch pieces).
    See the tips section above for more useful tips to make this dish.
    Calories: 324kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 98mg | Sodium: 496mg | Potassium: 558mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 60IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this Recipe? Share it Today!Mention @easyindiancookbook or tag #easyindiancookbook!

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