Slow Cooker Lamb Curry Recipe (Indian Inspired)

Slow Cooker Lamb Curry is a hearty heal that’s easy to prepare & delicious. This easy Indian lamb curry recipe results in fall apart tender meat that’s perfectly spiced. You can also make it on the stove or in your instant pot.

Now that Fall is here, I’m all about bringing out the slow cooker and making hearty dishes that warm you up. Enter this slow cooked lamb curry.

This Indian lamb curry is rich, tangy, and all around delicious. 

Ingredients needed

  • Lamb – Lamb stew meat, lamb shanks, and/or lamb shoulder steaks are all great options. See more below.
  • Onions & Garlic
  • Olive Oil
  • Spices – Curry powder, ground coriander, cumin, salt & pepper.
  • Canned Tomatoes
  • Chicken Stock – Or, bone broth.
  • Greek Yogurt
  • Lemon Juice

What is the Best Cut of Lamb to Use?

  • I like to use bone-in lamb for this recipe. The bones add loads of flavor and at the end of the cook time, the meat will be falling off the bone, so you can easily pick them out of your curry. However, you can also use boneless cuts of lamb if you prefer. 
  • Regardless of whether you’re using bone-in or boneless lamb, you should be sure to look for flavorful cuts of lamb like lamb shoulder or lamb shanks. These will result in the most fork-tender curry.
Overhead shot of bowl of lamb curry served over rice with dollop of yogurt and charred lemon slices.

How to make it in the slow cooker

  • Brown the lamb in a large skillet before adding it to the slow cooker.
  • Note: If you’re short on time, you can skip browning the lamb, but it does add a lot of flavor to this dish. 
  • Brown onions, garlic and curry powder in the same skillet and then add to the slow cooker. 
  • Add all ingredients to slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 4 hours. 
  • Stir in greek yogurt and serve. 

Stovetop directions

  • Brown the lamb in a large dutch oven or skillet over medium-high heat. Set aside.
  • Add onions, garlic and curry and saute for 3-5 minutes longer.
  • Return lamb to skillet along with remaining ingredients (except yogurt).
  • Simmer and cook 45 minutes – 1 hour until lamb is tender.
  • Stir in yogurt and serve. 

Instant pot directions

  • Brown the lamb using the SAUTE function of your electric pressure cooker. Set aside.
  • Add onions, garlic and curry and saute for 3-5 minutes longer.
  • Return lamb to Instant Pot along with remaining ingredients (except yogurt) and cook on manual HIGH pressure for 60 minutes.
  • Stir in yogurt and serve. 

Overhead shot of bowl of lamb curry next to bowl of rice and tomatoes & cucumbers.

FAQs

Can I make it dairy-free?

Yes! If you’d like to make this lamb curry dairy-free, simply substitute 1/2 cup coconut milk for the yogurt.

Can I use other meats besides lamb to make this curry?

Sure. You can also use beef, chicken or pork to make this dish.

Recipe variations

  • You can add potatoes, cauliflower, peas or green beans to this curry.
  • Add potatoes or cauliflower when the lamb is added back to the pot. Or, add frozen green beans or peas during the last 15 minutes of cook time. 

How to make ahead and store

This slow cooked lamb curry ill keep in the refrigerator for up to five days. Its flavors will continue to develop over time. You can also freeze this curry for up to three months. 

What to serve with it

Although this meal is delicious over basmati rice or quinoa with homemade naan on the side, you can serve it next to a few other Indian-inspired dishes when you feel like recreating your favorite Indian takeout menu:

Wine pairings

  • Dry Riesling is a great match for this dish. Its hint of sweetness will tame down the heat while its acidity stands up to the bold blend of spices.
  • Gewurztraminer is another lightly sweet wine that will pair well with curry.
  • Grenache is a great red wine option for this dish.
  • MORE → my 8 favorite lamb wine pairings.
Overhead shot of bowl of lamb curry next to bowl of rice and tomatoes & cucumbers, and hands holding glass of red wine.

More lamb recipes 

More Indian-inspired recipes

Did you try this lamb curry recipe?

If you loved this slow cooker lamb curry, I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on  InstagramTikTokPinterest and Facebook.

Overhead shot of bowl of lamb curry served over rice with dollop of yogurt and charred lemon slices.

Slow Cooker Lamb Curry

Slow Cooker Lamb Curry is a hearty meal that’s easy to prepare & delicious. This easy lamb curry recipe results in fall apart tender meat that’s perfectly spiced. 
5 from 14 votes
Print Pin
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 6 people

Ingredients

For Serving:

Instructions

Slow Cooker Directions:

  • Heat olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium high. Once hot, add the lamb and brown on all sides, working in batches if necessary to avoid crowding the pan. Place in slow cooker.
  • Add onions, garlic and curry powder to the skillet and cook until onions have softened, 3-4 minutes. Place in slow cooker.
  • Add remaining ingredients (except yogurt) to slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6 hours. Stir in yogurt and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with basmati rice, yogurt and cilantro, if desired.

Stovetop Directions:

  • Brown the lamb in a large dutch oven or skillet. Set aside.
  • Add onions, garlic and curry and saute for 3-5 minutes longer.
  • Return lamb to skillet along with remaining ingredients (except yogurt). Bring to a simmer and cook 45 minutes – 1 hour until lamb is tender. Stir in yogurt and serve. 

Instant Pot Directions:

  • Brown the lamb using the SAUTE function of your Instant Pot. Set aside.
  • Add onions, garlic and curry and saute for 3-5 minutes longer.
  • Return lamb to Instant Pot along with remaining ingredients (except yogurt) and cook on manual HIGH pressure for 60 minutes. Stir in yogurt and serve. 

Notes

If you would like to make this curry spicy, add cayenne pepper. 
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

Equipment

Nutrition

Calories: 296kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 608mg | Potassium: 719mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 139IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 5mg

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This post was originally published in 2019. It was updated in 2023 to add new information and cooking tips. The slow cooker lamb curry recipe remains the same. Enjoy!

18 thoughts on “Slow Cooker Lamb Curry Recipe (Indian Inspired)”

  1. 5 stars
    I never really liked lamb much even back when I still ate meat, but I’m definitely curious to try this curry recipe. I’ll try using tempeh as the protein… I think that would hold up to all the yummy flavors! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  2. you indicate yogurt can replace the coconut milk but in the ingredient list you list the yogurt but no mention of the coconut milk?? i would like to make it using the coconut milk,, how much should i use?? THANK YOU!!

    Reply
  3. 5 stars
    This recipe is so easy and delicious! To make it so much quicker I used a half leg of lamb and put it in whole, once cooked it all falls off the bone into the sauce. Also, cooked in the oven for 5 hours on 140 as I don’t have a slow cooker (I had to add more liquid) but otherwise it worked really well.

    Reply
    • This dish is simple to prepare and delightful to eat! I took a half leg of lamb and placed it in whole to help it go faster; once done, it all slips off the bone and into the sauce. Also, because I didn’t have a slow cooker, I cooked it in the oven for 5 hours at 140 degrees (I had to add additional liquid), but it turned out well.

      Reply
  4. 5 stars
    From your lemon pasta post come to this article, you help me prepare not only breakfast but also dinner lol
    Actually, I’ve just been given a piece of lamb and don’t know what to cook yet. Thank you for your recipe, Erin

    Reply
  5. 5 stars
    We recently raised and butchered our own lambs. I haven’t cooked with lamb a whole lot in the past. I came across your recipe and thought I’d give it a try. My husband (and me) absolutely LOVED it!! He ate leftovers all week and then requested I make it again a week later. My 4 kids, 9 and under, all happily ate it as well. Thank you for this delicious recipe. I know we’ll be having a lot of it in the months ahead.

    Reply

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