Lamb curry with coconut milk (instantPot version)
If you're someone who looks at a curry recipe and thinks, “This looks complicated,” let me stop you right there. Yes, the ingredient list is long—but don’t be intimidated. What you’re really doing is investing in your spice cabinet. And trust me, once you have these spices, you’ll use them again and again—because this isn’t the last curry you’ll see from me.
I love curries. I love Indian food. The flavors are rich, the ingredients are nourishing, and the cooking process is incredibly therapeutic. When you make a curry, you’re doing more than feeding your body—you’re honoring it with anti-inflammatory, digestion-supportive, hormone-friendly ingredients that work with your biology, not against it.
Why Lamb Deserves a Spot at Your Table? I often hear from women that they “don’t like lamb.” But I truly believe that’s because most people haven’t had it cooked properly. Lamb needs two things: acidity and spice. This recipe gives it both. A bold marinade of lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and warming spices like cumin, cinnamon, garam masala, and coriander not only breaks down the muscle fibers for tenderness—it also transforms the flavor. You won’t taste “lamby” meat here. Instead, you’ll get melt-in-your-mouth bites infused with vibrant, aromatic flavor.
That said, if lamb isn’t your thing—or if you simply don’t have it on hand—you can easily swap it out for beef, pork, or even chicken thighs. This curry is versatile. The method is what matters.
A Curry for Real Life - This is a one-pot meal. Yes, it tastes like something that simmered all day at your grandmother’s house, but it’s incredibly approachable. If you have an InstantPot, great—you can pressure cook it for tenderness in just 30 minutes. If you don’t, simply simmer it on the stovetop for about 1 hour over medium heat. Either way, what you end up with is a hearty, flavorful curry that’s rich in collagen, high in protein, and deeply satisfying.
Why Curries Are Perfect for Women Over 40? There’s a reason I recommend curries often for women’s health—especially women navigating perimenopause, fatigue, and inflammation. This lamb curry is:
Rich in Protein & Collagen – Essential for muscle repair, hormone production, and blood sugar balance.
Loaded with Healing Spices – Like turmeric, ginger, cumin, cardamom, and cinnamon—known for their anti-inflammatory and digestive-supportive properties.
Dairy-Free & Gluten-Free – Which means it's easy on the gut and ideal for anyone managing food sensitivities or hormonal imbalances.
Hormone-Supportive Fats – From the meat, coconut milk and avocado oil, all offer nourishing medium-chain fats and anti-inflammatory compounds.
Great as Leftovers – Curries taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld, making this perfect for batch cooking.
A Practical Note on Spices! If you’re new to Indian-style cooking, you might not have fenugreek leaves or cardamom powder in your pantry. But once you try this dish, you’ll understand why these ingredients are worth having. They elevate flavor and also offer incredible health benefits—from blood sugar regulation to liver support. Think of your spice rack as your functional medicine cabinet.
Bottom Line: This lamb curry is everything you want in a nourishing home-cooked meal: easy, flavorful, anti-inflammatory, gut-loving, hormone-friendly, and deeply satisfying. Serve it with a side of basmati rice, fresh herbs, and maybe a crunchy cucumber salad—and you’ve got a meal that feels both grounding and vibrant.
Make it once, and you’ll come back to it often. Because once you fall in love with curry… there’s no going back.
RECIPE
Ingredients
For the Lamb:
2.2 lb boneless lamb leg, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
Marinade:
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
4 Tbsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp garam masala powder
1 tsp chili flakes
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp cumin powder
1 Tbsp coriander powder
1 Tbsp pink Himalayan salt
½ tsp cardamom powder
½ tsp cinnamon powder
2 Tbsp avocado oil (or animal fat) for cooking
For the curry sauce:
1 cup chopped red onion
1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (14 oz) can full-fat coconut milk
1 Tbsp garam masala
1 Tbsp curry powder (choose sweet or spicy)
1 Tbsp dried mint
1 Tbsp dried fenugreek leaves
2 Tbsp garlic-ginger paste
2 Tbsp avocado oil (or animal fat) for cooking
To Serve:
Steamed rice
Fresh cilantro
Sliced jalapeño (optional)
Instructions
Marinate the Lamb: In a large bowl, mix all marinade ingredients until combined (not the oil). Add the lamb cubes and toss to coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2–3 hours, or overnight for deeper flavor (essential if you don’t like the taste of lamb).
Sear the Lamb after marinating: Heat 2 Tbsp oil in a deep skillet or pot. Add the marinated lamb and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked in its own juices. Reserve the lamb and at least 1 cup of the meat juices for the sauce.
Prepare the Sauce (in the InstantPot):
On the sauté function of the InstantPot, heat the remaining 2 Tbsp oil. Add garlic-ginger paste, garam masala, curry powder, dried mint, and fenugreek. Sauté the spices for 30 seconds to bloom their flavors.Add the Vegetables: Stir in the chopped red onion and diced tomatoes. Cook for about 10 minutes, until the onions soften and the mixture becomes fragrant.
Simmer the Curry: Add the seared lamb to the InstantPot over the sauce. Pour in the coconut milk and reserved meat juices. Stir well to combine.
Pressure Cook: Lock the InstantPot lid and cook on high pressure for 30 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for maximum tenderness.
Serve: Plate the lamb curry with warm rice and garnish with fresh cilantro and jalapeño slices for an optional kick of heat.
As usual, these are my thoughts and ideas, not medical advice. You are encouraged to create your own recipes or search for some suited to your needs. I am just sharing my recipes, hoping that I can inspire some of you to make healthier food choices.
Please remember that we all have different nutritional needs and that food affects us differently. If you are not sure which foods are best for you, reach out for a free phone consultation.
In good health,
Ioana