How to Make Rogan Josh: A Classic Indian Lamb Curry Recipe

 

If you love hearty, aromatic curries, Rogan Josh is a dish that deserves a spot in your home-cooking repertoire. This traditional lamb curry, with its roots in Kashmiri cuisine, is known for its bold spices, rich red colour, and deeply comforting flavour. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through exactly how to make Rogan Josh at home, using simple ingredients and authentic cooking methods – all written in British English and optimised for Google SEO.

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🥘 What is Rogan Josh?

Rogan Josh is a slow-cooked, aromatic lamb curry that originates from Kashmir, India. Its name comes from Persian: “rogan” means “oil” and “josh” means “heat” or “passion.” Traditionally, the dish is made with tender lamb pieces cooked in ghee or oil along with yoghurt, Kashmiri chillies, and a blend of warming spices.

This dish is not overly spicy, but it is intensely flavourful. The distinctive deep red colour comes not from chilli heat, but from Kashmiri red chillies, known for their mildness and vibrant hue.

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✅ Ingredients for Authentic Rogan Josh

Here are the essential ingredients you’ll need to prepare a traditional Rogan Josh recipe at home:

For the curry:

500g lamb (preferably leg or shoulder, cut into chunks)

3 tablespoons ghee or oil

2 large onions, finely sliced

4 garlic cloves, minced

1-inch piece of fresh ginger, grated

150g plain yoghurt (whisked until smooth)

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

2 teaspoons ground coriander

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon Kashmiri red chilli powder (or mild paprika for colour)

1 teaspoon garam masala

1–2 bay leaves

2–3 green cardamom pods

1 cinnamon stick

Salt to taste

200ml warm water

Fresh coriander (for garnish)

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👨‍🍳 How to Make Rogan Josh – Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Lamb

Trim excess fat off the lamb pieces. Pat them dry with a paper towel – this helps them sear better.

Step 2: Brown the Lamb

In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat the ghee or oil over medium heat. Add the lamb chunks and sear them until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics

In the same pan, add more ghee if needed and sauté the sliced onions until they become golden brown. This can take 10–12 minutes – don’t rush this step, as caramelised onions are key to depth of flavour.

Add the garlic and ginger, and sauté for another 2–3 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4: Add the Spices

Stir in the turmeric, coriander, cumin, and Kashmiri chilli powder. Fry the spices gently for 1–2 minutes to release their essential oils.

Step 5: Incorporate Yoghurt

Reduce the heat to low and slowly add the whisked yoghurt, one spoon at a time, stirring constantly to prevent it from splitting. This helps create a smooth, rich base.

Step 6: Combine Lamb with the Curry Base

Return the browned lamb to the pan and coat it thoroughly with the spiced yoghurt mixture. Add salt, bay leaves, cardamom pods, and the cinnamon stick.

Step 7: Simmer Slowly

Pour in the warm water, stir, cover the pot, and simmer on a low flame for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the lamb is fork-tender and the curry has thickened beautifully.

Step 8: Finish with Garam Masala

Once cooked, stir in garam masala, adjust salt if needed, and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.

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🍚 What to Serve with Rogan Josh

Rogan Josh is traditionally served with:

Steamed Basmati rice

Jeera rice (cumin rice)

Naan, roti, or paratha

A side of cucumber raita or onion salad makes the meal even more enjoyable.

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🌶 Tips for the Perfect Rogan Josh

Use bone-in lamb for maximum flavour.

For authentic colour without heat, Kashmiri red chillies or mild paprika work best.

Always simmer on low heat – the longer it cooks, the richer it gets.

Yoghurt can curdle if the heat is too high – lower the flame when adding it.

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🥄 Variations of Rogan Josh

While the traditional version uses lamb, you can try these variations:

Chicken Rogan Josh – quicker to cook and lighter.

Vegetarian Rogan Josh – use mushrooms, paneer, or jackfruit instead of meat.

Slow Cooker Rogan Josh – brown everything first, then cook in a slow cooker on low for 6–8 hours.

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📦 Storage and Leftovers

Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer: Freeze in portions for up to 2 months.

Reheat: Defrost and reheat gently on the hob with a splash of water.

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📝 Final Thoughts

Rogan Josh is more than just a curry – it's a symbol of rich Indian culinary heritage, full of aroma, flavour, and warmth. Making it at home might take a bit of time, but the result is a dish that’s perfect for family dinners, festive occasions, or even meal prep.

Once you've mastered this Rogan Josh recipe, you’ll never go back to restaurant versions again. Serve it with you

r favourite Indian bread or rice, and enjoy the flavours of Kashmir right at your table.

--- write ✍️ by foodie Parmod.