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Mutton chops in thick red-brown masala with ginger, green chillies and coriander in a karahi
Pakistani · Dinner

Mutton Chops Masala

Pressure-Cooked Lamb Chops in Thick Onion-Yogurt Masala

Mutton chops are marinated, pressure-cooked until soft, then finished in a thick, glossy masala that clings to the bone. A good Sunday dinner with naan or rice.

Published 29 Sep 2026Tested by Hina Ikram

Prep25 min
Cook1 h 30 min
Total1 h 55 min
Serves5
DifficultyMedium
CuisinePakistani

Ingredients

5 servings

Equipment: Pressure cooker (or heavy-based pot with lid), large karahi or wide pan, mixing bowl

Method

  1. In a large bowl, mix the yogurt, 1 tbsp of the ginger-garlic paste, papaya paste (if using), chilli powder, ground coriander, turmeric and salt. Add the chops and rub the marinade well into every piece.

  2. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or up to 8 hours in the fridge. Bring chilled chops out 20 minutes before cooking.

  3. Heat the oil in the pressure cooker over medium heat. Add the black and green cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and cumin seeds and fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.

  4. Add the sliced onions and fry, stirring often, for 10 to 12 minutes until deep golden brown. Stir in the remaining 0.5 tbsp ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1 minute until the raw smell goes.

  5. Add the marinated chops with all the marinade. Turn the heat to high and sear, stirring, for 6 to 8 minutes until the meat changes colour and the liquid has mostly dried up.

  6. Add the tomatoes and hot water and stir. Close the lid and bring to full pressure over high heat, then lower to medium-low and cook under pressure for 35 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the pressure release naturally, about 10 to 15 minutes.

  7. Open the lid and check a chop with a fork; the meat should pull easily from the bone. If it is still firm, cover and cook 10 more minutes, or pressure-cook again for 10 minutes. Without a pressure cooker, simmer covered in a heavy pot on low heat for 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, adding hot water as needed.

  8. Cook uncovered over high heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring gently, until the masala thickens and oil separates at the edges. Sprinkle in the garam masala.

  9. Add the green chillies and ginger matchsticks, cover, and rest on the lowest heat for 5 minutes. Finish with fresh coriander and serve hot.

Cooking tips

  • Ask your butcher for chops of even thickness so they all cook at the same speed, and keep some fat on them for flavour.
  • Brown the onions patiently; their colour gives the masala its depth. Pull them off the heat quickly if they darken past golden brown, as burnt onions taste bitter.
  • Sear over high heat after adding the meat, so the yogurt cooks down and does not split into a watery gravy.
  • Mutton from older animals may need 10 to 15 minutes longer under pressure; check for tenderness before thickening the masala.

Substitutions

  • Use young lamb chops for a shorter time of about 20 minutes under pressure.
  • Replace the yogurt with 2 tbsp lemon juice and 2 extra chopped tomatoes if you avoid dairy.
  • Use 1 tbsp garam masala in place of the whole spices if you do not have them.
  • Goat chops work in place of mutton, with the time adjusted until tender.

Serve with

Serve with hot tandoori roti, tawa naan or plain steamed rice, with sliced onion, lemon wedges and a cooling raita on the side.

Storage

Cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.

Reheating

Warm gently in a covered pan over low heat with a splash of water, stirring occasionally, until piping hot throughout. Thaw frozen portions in the fridge overnight first.

Nutrition per serving, estimated

Not shown for this recipe because it can’t be estimated reliably (for example, oil absorbed during deep frying varies a lot).

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