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    Whisk Affair » Recipes » Dal & Curries » Mutton Curries » Authentic Goan Lamb Vindaloo Curry

    Published: Nov 3, 2022 | Last Updated On: Jul 19, 2023 by Neha Mathur | This post may contain affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Authentic Goan Lamb Vindaloo Curry

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    Goan Lamb Vindaloo Curry is a Portuguese-influenced lamb curry where lamb is cooked in a fiery red, spicy, and tangy vindaloo sauce. Make it in a traditional stovetop pressure cooker or an instant pot using my easy recipe (gluten-free, keto, paleo, whole 30, dairy-free).

    You can also try my other vindaloo variations here – Aloo Vindaloo, Chicken Vindaloo, and Shrimp Vindaloo.

    Lamb vindaloo served in a bowl.
    Jump to:
    • About Lamb Vindaloo Curry
    • Ingredients
    • How To Make Lamb Vindaloo
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storage Suggestions
    • You Might Also Like
    • Recipe Card

    About Lamb Vindaloo Curry

    Goan Lamb Vindaloo Curry is a fiery red Indian curry with tender lamb cooked in spicy and tangy vindaloo sauce. It is quite popular in Goan households, and you will also find it on the menu of all Goan-style restaurants.

    For the uninitiated, Vindaloo is a Goan dish derived from the Portuguese Carne De Vinha D’alhos, which translates to “meat in a garlic wine marinade.” It was brought to Goa by the Portuguese colonizers.

    This curry was traditionally made using pork. Over time, the local people experimented with making it with different kinds of meat, vinegar, and even veggies and this lamb vindaloo is also one of the variations.

    My recipe to make this curry is authentic and traditional, unlike the ones they sell at fancy restaurants in the name of vindaloo. It tastes like the one you will get in Goan homes.

    This Goan lamb curry gets its unique taste and flavor from the vindaloo paste, which is freshly made with simple ingredients such as dry red chilies, ginger, garlic, vinegar, tamarind, and a few spices.

    Lamb Vindaloo is best served with a Goan bread called poi or steamed rice. It also tastes great with lachha paratha, ghee roast dosa, basmati rice, or simple dinner rolls.

    This lamb vindaloo recipe can be made in a traditional stovetop pressure cooker or in an instant pot. I am sharing both methods in the post below; choose the one that suits you the best.

    This curry is gluten-free, keto, whole 30, paleo, and dairy free.

    You can double or triple the recipe easily. I use my 6-quart instant pot (or 3-liter stovetop cooker) to make this recipe. If you want to scale it, use an 8-quart instant pot (or a 5-liter stovetop cooker). The time of pressure cooking will remain the same.

    Ingredients

    Vindaloo Paste

    To make the flavorful paste, you will need an array of ingredients such as Kashmiri dry red chilies, whole coriander seeds, cinnamon sticks (dalchini), cloves (laung), green cardamom (hari elaichi), black peppercorns (kali mirch), cumin seeds, brown mustard seeds, garlic, fresh ginger, white vinegar, and tamarind paste.

    I prefer to use Kashmiri dry red chillies, which add a beautiful red color without making it too spicy. You can use any other dry red chilies, but adjust the quantity depending upon its spiciness.

    Traditionally, toddy vinegar (coconut palm wine) was used to make the paste, but if it’s unavailable, you can use regular white vinegar as I did. Apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar can also be used.

    For The Curry

    You will need vegetable oil, red onions, bone-in lamb (cut into 1 and ½-inch pieces), tomato puree, salt, turmeric powder, and white granulated sugar to make the curry.

    I like to use bone-in lamb pieces for this recipe as the bones release their flavor and add a lot of flavor to the curry making it more delicious.

    You can use boneless lamb pieces if you are not a bone-in lamb person.

    I recommend using canned tomato puree instead of homemade one for better taste and flavor. You can replace it with canned tomato paste too.

    You can replace lamb with goat meat too.

    How To Make Lamb Vindaloo

    Make The Vindaloo Paste

    Add

    • 10-12 whole Kashmiri red chilies (stalks removed)
    • 2 tablespoon whole coriander seeds
    • 3-4 cloves
    • 1-inch piece of cinnamon stick
    • 2-3 whole green cardamoms
    • 8-10 whole black peppercorns
    • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
    • 1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds

    to a skillet.

    Chilies, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, cloves, cinnamon, cardamoms, peppercorns and mustard seeds added to a pan.

    Dry roast on medium heat until fragrant and slightly browned (3-4 minutes). Keep stirring while roasting.

    Once the spices are roasted, remove the skillet from the heat and let the spices cool down completely.

    Roasted spices.

    Add the roasted spices to a high-speed blender along with

    • 1-inch piece of ginger (chopped)
    • 8-10 garlic cloves (peeled)
    • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
    • 1 and ½ tablespoon tamarind paste
    • ½ cup of water

    and blend to make a smooth paste. 

    Scrape the sides of the blender a few times while making the paste.

    Vindaloo masala paste is ready. Set it aside.

    Roasted spices added to a blender along with ginger, garlic, vinegar, tamarind paste and water.
    Smooth vindaloo paste made.

    Make Lamb Vindaloo Curry

    In An Instant Pot

    Press SAUTE button on the instant pot.

    Add 6 tablespoon oil to the pot.

    Oil added to instant pot.

    When the oil is hot, add 2 cups of chopped onions and fry until they turn golden brown (10-12 minutes), stirring frequently.

    Onions added to the pot.

    Add 2 pounds (1kg) of bone-in lamb (cut into 1 and ½-inch pieces) to the pot and fry for 3-4 minutes. Keep stirring frequently.

    Lamb added to the pot.

    Add 1 cup of canned tomato puree (or ½ cup tomato paste) and the vindaloo masala paste we made earlier to the pot and mix well.

    Tomato puree and vindaloo masala paste added to the pot.

    Now add 2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon turmeric powder, and 1 cup of water to the pot and stir gently.

    Salt, turmeric and water added to the pot.
    Mixed well.

    Cover the instant pot with the lid.

    Lid secured.

    Press PRESSURE COOK and set the timer to 30 minutes at high pressure.

    Timer set to 30 minutes at high pressure.

    Once the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.

    Release the remaining pressure manually and open the lid.

    Add ½ teaspoon white granulated sugar to the pot and mix well. The curry is ready to serve.

    Sugar added to the pot.
    Ready lamb vindaloo.

    In A Traditional Stovetop Pressure Cooker

    Follow the steps until adding water in a 3-liter pressure cooker over medium-high heat.

    Close the lid and cook for one whistle over medium-high heat.

    Then reduce the heat to low and cook for 30 minutes.

    Remove the cooker from the heat and let the pressure release naturally.

    Open the lid.

    Add ½ teaspoon white granulated sugar to the pot and mix well. The curry is ready to serve.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Are potatoes added to this curry?

    Traditional vindaloo curry doesn’t include potatoes, but you can always add a few potatoes cut into big chunks.

    Which cut of lamb is best to make curries?

    Lamb shoulder or leg pieces work best for making curries.

    Is it important to marinate the lamb?

    No, I never marinate my lamb pieces, but they still turn out juicy and succulent.

    Can I add coconut milk to this recipe?

    Although coconut milk is not added to the traditional recipe, you can add it if you wish to. Add it to the ready curry along with sugar and bring the curry to a simmer before serving.

    Serving Suggestions

    This curry tastes best the next day, so if possible, plan this.

    Lamb Vindaloo tastes great with Goan bread poi or steamed rice. It can also be served with pav, white bread, white rice, or dinner rolls.

    You can also try it with phulka, tawa paratha, lachha paratha, neer dosa, or ghee roast dosa.

    Storage Suggestions

    Lamb Vindaloo can be stored in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for 2-3 days. Reheat in a pan or microwave until hot before serving.

    It is also freezer friendly. Once it cools down completely, store it in a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag and freeze for about a month. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or counter for a few hours and reheat until nice and hot.

    You can also make vindaloo paste in bulk and freeze it in small one-time-use portions for up to a year.

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    Recipe Card

    Loved this recipe?Click here to leave a review and give us a five star rating ★★★★★
    Goan Lamb Vindaloo is a Portuguese-influenced lamb curry where lamb is cooked in a fiery red, spicy and tangy vindaloo sauce. Make it in a traditional stovetop pressure cooker or an instant pot using my easy recipe (gluten-free).

    Authentic Goan Lamb Vindaloo Curry Recipe

    Goan Lamb Vindaloo Curry is a Portuguese-influenced lamb curry where lamb is cooked in a fiery red, spicy, and tangy vindaloo sauce. Make it in a traditional stovetop pressure cooker or an instant pot using my easy recipe.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Indian
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
    Cooling Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 people
    Calories: 309kcal
    Author: Neha Mathur

    Ingredients 

    For The Vindaloo Paste

    • 10-12 whole dry Kashmiri red chilies (stalks removed)
    • 2 tablespoons whole coriander seeds
    • 3-4 cloves (laung)
    • 1 inch piece of cinnamon stick (dalchini)
    • 2-3 whole green cardamoms (hari elaichi)
    • 8-10 whole black peppercorns (kali mirch)
    • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
    • 1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds
    • 1 inch piece of ginger (chopped)
    • 8-10 cloves garlic (peeled)
    • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
    • 1-½ tablespoons tamarind paste
    • ½ cup water

    For The Curry

    • 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
    • 2 cups chopped onions
    • 2 pounds bone-in lamb (1 kg, cut into 1-½ inch pieces)
    • 1 cup canned tomato puree (or ½ cup tomato paste)
    • 2 teaspoons salt
    • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
    • ½ teaspoon granulated white sugar
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    Instructions

    Make The Vindaloo Paste

    • Add dry red chilies, coriander seeds, cloves, cinnamon, green cardamoms, black peppercorns, cumin seeds, and mustard seeds to a skillet.
    • Dry roast on medium heat until fragrant and slightly browned (3-4 minutes). Keep stirring while roasting.
    • Once the spices are roasted, remove the skillet from the heat and let the spices cool down completely.
    • Add the roasted spices to a high-speed blender along with ginger, garlic, vinegar, tamarind paste, and ½ cup of water and blend to make a smooth paste. 
    • Scrape the sides of the blender a few times while making the paste.
    • Vindaloo masala paste is ready. Set it aside.

    Make Lamb Vindaloo Curry

      In An Instant Pot

      • Press SAUTE button on the instant pot.
      • Add oil to the pot.
      • When the oil is hot, add onions and fry until they turn golden brown in color (10-12 minutes), stirring frequently.
      • Add lamb pieces to the pot and fry for 3-4 minutes. Keep stirring frequently.
      • Add tomato puree and the vindaloo masala paste that we made earlier to the pot and mix well.
      • Now add salt, turmeric powder, and 1 cup of water to the pot and stir gently.
      • Cover the instant pot with the lid.
      • Press PRESSURE COOK and set the timer to 30 minutes at high pressure.
      • Once the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.
      • Release the remaining pressure manually and open the lid.
      • Add sugar to the pot and mix well. The curry is ready to serve.

      In A Traditional Stovetop Pressure Cooker

      • Follow the steps until adding water in a 4-liter pressure cooker over medium-high heat.
      • Close the lid and cook for one whistle over medium-high heat.
      • Then reduce the heat to low and cook for 30 minutes.
      • Remove the cooker from the heat and let the pressure release naturally.
      • Open the lid.
      • Add sugar to the pot and mix well. The curry is ready to serve.

      Video

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZRXa8zPe2Y

      Notes

      I prefer Kashmiri dry red chilies, which add a beautiful red color without making it too spicy. You can use any other dry red chilies, but adjust the quantity depending upon its spiciness.
      Traditionally, toddy vinegar was used to make the paste, but if it’s unavailable, you can use regular white vinegar as I did.
      You can use boneless lamb pieces if you are not a bone-in lamb person.
      You can replace lamb with goat mutton too.
      You can double or triple the recipe easily. I use my 6-quart instant pot (or 3-liter stovetop cooker) to make this recipe. If you want to scale it, use an 8-quart instant pot (or a 5-liter stovetop cooker). The time of pressure cooking will remain the same.

      Nutrition

      Calories: 309kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 100mg | Sodium: 903mg | Potassium: 1007mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 944IU | Vitamin C: 118mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 5mg
      Pin this recipe for later use!I LOVE to see your creations so pin and mention @WhiskAffair!
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      More Mutton Curries

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      • Methi Keema is a spicy curry made using mutton mince and fresh fenugreek leaves. It goes perfectly with Laccha Paratha or Naan. Here is how to make it.
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      • Make this delicious restaurant-style Mutton Rara curry at home using my simple recipe. It's robust, hearty and so flavorful (gluten-free).
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      • Saag Gosht is a North Indian winter delicacy where goat mutton (or lamb) is cooked in a gravy made using various winter greens. Serve it with makki ki roti or any other Indian bread for a hearty meal (gluten-free).
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