Champaran Mutton
A rustic Bihari mutton curry slow-cooked in a sealed pot until the meat turns tender and deeply spiced. Mustard oil, garlic, whole spices, and yogurt give it its bold, earthy flavor without much fuss.
For 4 servings
- prep · ~10 min
Prepare the aromatics and spices.
1.Slice the onion thinly.2.Roughly crush the garlic and ginger.3.Slit the green chili.4.Measure the yogurt, mustard oil, whole spices, ground spices, salt, and water. - mix · ~5 min
Marinate the mutton.
1.Add mutton to a heavy pot or handi.2.Add mustard oil and whisked yogurt.3.Add onion, garlic, ginger, green chili, bay leaf, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, black peppercorns, and cumin seeds.4.Add coriander powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala, and salt.5.Mix very well so the mutton is fully coated. - rest · ~30 min
Rest the mutton for deeper flavor.
Cover the pot and let the mutton sit for 30 minutes so the spices and yogurt start working into the meat.
- assemble · ~7 min
Add water and seal the pot.
1.Pour the water into the pot and mix once.2.Make a soft dough with whole wheat flour and a little water from your kitchen supply.3.Place the lid on the pot.4.Seal the rim tightly with the dough so steam stays trapped inside. - simmer · ~75 min
Cook the mutton on low heat.
Set the sealed pot over low heat and cook until the mutton turns tender and releases its own juices. Rotate the pot once or twice for even cooking.
TIPKeep the heat low throughout so the bottom does not catch before the meat softens. - rest · ~10 min
Rest the pot before opening.
Take the pot off the heat and let it stand for 10 minutes. Break the flour seal carefully and open the lid.
- serve
Stir gently and serve hot.
Mix the gravy lightly, keeping the mutton pieces intact. Serve Champaran Mutton hot with rice or roti.
What to keep in mind.
7 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Use a heavy-bottomed handi or Dutch oven so the onions and yogurt don’t scorch during the long low cook.
- 2Whisk the yogurt smooth before mixing to help it coat the mutton evenly and reduce splitting.
- 3If your mustard oil tastes too sharp, heat it until just smoking once, cool slightly, then use for marination.
- 4Seal the lid really tightly with dough; escaping steam means the mutton will dry out instead of braising in its own juices.
- 5Rotate the pot once or twice during cooking, especially on a gas flame, to prevent hot spots at the bottom.
- 6The mutton is done when a piece near the bone yields easily and the oil starts separating lightly around the edges.
- 7Champaran mutton tastes even better after a few hours’ rest or the next day, once the spices settle into the gravy.
Adapt it for your goals.
Spicier
Add more slit green chilies or a little extra red chili powder for a hotter, more assertive Champaran-style curry.
pressure cookerPressure-cooker
Use the same marinade in a pressure cooker for a faster version when you want similar flavor with less cooking time.
less oilLess-oil
Reduce the mustard oil slightly for a lighter finish, though the curry will lose some of its signature pungent richness.
bone lessBone-less
Use boneless goat pieces if you prefer easier serving, but bone-in mutton gives a fuller gravy and better body.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Protein-Rich Main Dish
Mutton provides substantial protein, making this curry satisfying and helpful for a hearty meal.
Aromatics With Functional Value
Garlic, ginger, cumin, and pepper bring more than flavor, adding traditional warming ingredients used in slow-cooked meat dishes.
Naturally Low in Added Sugar
This recipe relies on onions, spices, yogurt, and meat for flavor without adding sugar or sweet sauces.
Frequently asked questions
The dough seal traps steam inside the handi, creating a dum effect that keeps the mutton moist and concentrates the spices.
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