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    Chettinad Mutton Recipe

    Last Updated On: Apr 8, 2025 by Aarthi

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    Chettinad Lamb, spicy and flavourful recipe for world famous Chettinad cuisine which is a family favorite just like my chicken chettinad. This Chettinad delicacy is made with freshly roasted spices like chillies, coriander, cumin, black pepper, star anise. Succulent mutton pieces is cooked with shallots, ginger, garlic and coconut paste to make this amazing Chettinad mutton curry. Learn how to make Chettinad mutton recipe with step by step pictures.

    chettinad mutton also known as lamb chettinad served in a bowl

    Chettinad Mutton (Lamb Chettinad)

    A special curry with Chettinad flavours. This gravy is spicy, flavourful, packed with freshly roasted masala and spices. This is one curry which I make often, I enjoy the subtle spices and the aroma the curry gives. Making a proper Chettinad curry is very easy but a little time consuming because of the freshly roasted spices.

    Table of Contents

    • About Chettinad Mutton
    • Chettinad Mutton Ingredients
    • Chettinad Mutton Masala Powder
    • Instant Pot Chettinad Lamb
    • How to Make Chettinad Lamb (Stepwise Pictures)
    • Expert Tips
    • 📖 Recipe Card
    • Chettinad Mutton | Lamb Chettinad Recipe | Chettinad Mutton Gravy

    About Chettinad Mutton

    Chettinad mutton or lamb Chettinad is a flavourful lamb preparation made in the Southern part of India. The curry is very popular in restaurants across India but not as popular as chicken chettinad.

    Tender pieces of lamb or mutton cooked with freshly roasted spices, shallots, tomatoes and coconut paste. Mutton takes time to cook, so I prefer to saute it with spices, onions and tomatoes and then transfer the mixture to pressure cooker and cook for few whistle till tender. The lamb should fall off the bone which is essential for this dish. Meanwhile check mutton sukka.

    There are few important points which you have to remember when making this dish, I have shared all the details in the tips section. If you prefer cooking this dish in open pot instead of pressure cooker, check my notes section. Instant pot Chettinad lamb recipe is shared below so make sure you check that too.

    The curry is usually served with steamed rice but it taste so good with some flaky Kerala Parotta.

    Similar Recipes

    Chettinad Chicken Roast

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    Pepper Mutton

    Mutton Roast

    Chettinad Mutton Ingredients

    Chettinad Mutton Ingredients

    Mutton - I like to use tender (young) cuts of lamb (mutton) for this dish. Opt for mutton with bone-in since the bones adds so much taste and flavour to the gravy. Wash the meat really well with turmeric powder, salt and lemon juice to remove the gamey smell from the meat.

    Onions or Shallots - In this recipe I used peeled sliced shallots. but you can use chopped onions as well.

    Tomatoes - use ripe tomatoes which is chopped finely. This imparts tart taste to the curry. you can finish the curry with some lemon juice for freshness.

    Ginger & Garlic - grind fresh ginger and garlic to a coarse paste and use in the curry.

    Chettinad Whole Spices - a combination of cinnamon, dry red chillies, black pepper, cardamom, cumin, cloves, star anise, coriander seeds is used. These spices are toasted in a dry pan and ground into a fine powder before adding into the mutton.

    Coconut + Fennel seeds paste - fresh coconut and fennel seeds is ground into paste and added in the end for thickness of the curry. It also mellow out the pungent flavour.

    Curry leaves, coriander & green chillies - add a good amount of curry leaves. Slit green chillies adds aroma to the curry. Coriander leaves is one of the most essential ingredient for aroma and flavour which is added in the end.

    Chettinad Mutton Masala Powder

    ingredients for chettinad masala

    This is the recipe for Chettinad masala powder or spice mix. You can double or make a big batch of the spice mix and store in your pantry. This can be used for any non vegetarian preparation like chicken, mutton and fish. You can use this in mushroom dishes too.

    • 6 Dry Red Chilli
    • 3 tbsp Whole Coriander Seeds
    • 1 stick Cinnamon
    • 1 tsp Fennel Seeds
    • 1 tbsp Whole Black Peppercorns
    • 1 tsp Cumin Seeds
    • 4 Cardamom Pods
    • 2 cloves
    • 1 Star Anise
    chettinad spices roasted and powdered

    Instant Pot Chettinad Lamb

    Pre-preparation

    Grind coconut and fennel seeds to a smooth paste by adding some water. Set aside till use. For Making Chettinad Spice mix, Set Instant pot to saute mode. Dry roast all the spices given till they are golden. Remove them to a blender and make into a fine powder. Set aside till use.

    Cooking Mutton in Instant pot

    Heat oil in the same instant pot. Add in the whole spices and let them sizzle for a min. Add in shallots, green chillies and curry leaves. Saute till light golden. Now add in ginger garlic paste and saute for a couple of mins. Add in salt and turmeric powder and mix well. Add in tomatoes and saute till they are completely mushed up. Sprinkle in the ground spice powder and toss well. Add in the washed mutton pieces and add some water, salt. Now cover the instant pot, set it to pressure cook mode, cook for 15 minutes. Let the pressure release by itself.

    Making Chettinad Mutton

    Now open the instant pot and add in coconut masala, more water if needed and mix well. Cover with lid and cook on low for 10  mins till the oil separates on top. Add in coriander leaves and mix well. Serve this curry over rice or roti.

    Chettinad Mutton also known as lamb chettinad

    How to Make Chettinad Lamb (Stepwise Pictures)

    Grinding Coconut Paste

    1)Take fresh coconut, fennel seeds in a blender. Add little water at a time and grind into a fine paste. Set this aside till use.

    Pro Tip: You can add a tbsp of cashew nuts or roasted gram dal when grinding. It gives the gravy thickness.

    grind coconut for Chettinad Mutton

    Make Fresh Chettinad Masala

    2)Take all the spices in a dry pan. Roast on low to medium heat. Roast for 4 to 5 minutes till fragrant. Once the spices are toasted, remove it to a plate and allow it to cool.

    Pro Tip: If you have oven. You can take the spices in a baking sheet or tray. place it inside a 180 degree C oven and bake for 10 minutes. Keep mixing in between for even roasting. Once it is toasted, cool and take in a blender. Grind into a powder.

    roast whole spices for Chettinad Mutton

    3)take the cooled spices in a blender jar. Grind into a fine powder. This is your Chettinaad spice mix. Set aside till use.

    grind roasted spices to a powder

    Make Chettinad Mutton Base

    4)Heat oil in a kadai. Add in whole spices and let them sizzle. Add in chopped onions or shallots, green chillies and curry leaves. Saute the onions for 2 minutes till it is cooked.

    saute for onions, curry leaves and chillies for Chettinad Mutton

    5)Add in ginger garlic paste, salt and turmeric powder. Mix it well with the shallots and cook for 2 to 3 minutes till raw smell leaves from the mixture.

    add ginger garlic paste, turmeric to onions

    6)Add in chopped tomatoes and cook till mushy. It will take around 3 to 5 minutes.

    add tomatoes for Chettinad Mutton

    7)Add in the ground Chettinad spice mix and give a good mix.

    add in chettinad spices for Chettinad Mutton

    Cooking Mutton

    8)Add in the cleaned mutton pieces and toss well with the masala. Stir fry the lamb with the masala for 3 to 5 minutes till it is coated with the masala.

    add in mutton and mix well for Chettinad Mutton

    9)Transfer the whole mixture into a pressure cooker. Add in 1 to 2 cups of hot water and mix well. Add in salt to taste and mix.

    add chettinad mutton in pressure cooker

    10)Cover the pressure cooker and cook for 5 to 6 whistle. Let the pressure release by itself. By this time the mutton must be tender and cooked completely.

    cook Chettinad Mutton

    Finishing Chettinad mutton

    11)I transferred the cooked mutton with all its cooking liquid into a kadai. Add in ground coconut masala and mix well. Check for taste test and adjust salt accordingly.

    add coconut paste to Chettinad Mutton

    12)Cover the pan with a lid and cook on low heat for 5 to 10 minutes till a layer of oil floats on top.

    simmer lamb chettinad till oil separates

    13)Add in coriander leaves and mix well. Serve hot.

    add coriander leaves

    Expert Tips

    • Use tender cuts of lamb or mutton with bone-in for better flavour.
    • You can make a big batch of chettinad spice and store in an air tight container for later use.
    • Instead of shallots, you can use chopped onions.
    • When grinding coconut, you can add some cashews or roasted gram dal.

    More Mutton Recipes to Try

    • Mutton Thoran Recipe
    • Pressure Cooker Mutton Biryani Recipe
    • Mutton Rasam Recipe
    • Mutton Pulao in Pressure Cooker Recipe
    • Spicy Mutton Masala Recipe
    • Mutton Roast Recipe

    📖 Recipe Card

    Chettinad Mutton | Lamb Chettinad Recipe | Chettinad Mutton Gravy

    Chettinad Lamb, spicy and flavourful Chettinad mutton is a family favorite just like my chicken chettinad. This Chettinad delicacy is made with freshly roasted spices like chillies, coriander, cumin, black pepper, star anise. Succulent mutton pieces is cooked with shallots, ginger, garlic and coconut paste to make this amazing Chettinad mutton curry. Learn how to make Chettinad mutton recipe with step by step pictures.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 615kcal

    Equipment

    • Pressure cooker
    • Cooking pot
    • Blender

    Ingredients

    • 4 tbsp Coconut Oil
    • 20 no Shallots | Sambar Onions sliced thinly
    • 2 slit Green Chillies
    • 2 sprigs Curry leaves
    • 3 tbsp Ginger Garlic Paste
    • 3 large Tomatoes chopped finely
    • 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
    • 500 grams Mutton | Lamb
    • Salt to taste
    • 2 cups Water
    • ¼ cup Coriander Leaves finely chopped

    For Tempering

    • 1 piece Cinnamon
    • 2 pods Cardamom
    • 1 no Cloves
    • 1 tsp Fennel Seeds

    Homemade Chettinad Spice Powder

    • 6 no Dry Red Chilli
    • 3 tbsp Coriander Seeds
    • 1 stick Cinnamon
    • 1 tsp Fennel Seeds
    • 1 tbsp Black Peppercorn
    • 1 tsp Cumin Seeds
    • 4 pods Cardamom
    • 2 no Cloves
    • 1 Star Anise

    For Coconut Paste

    • 1 cup Fresh Coconut
    • 1 tsp Fennel Seeds

    Instructions

    • Grind coconut and fennel seeds to a smooth paste by adding some water. Set aside till use.
    • Heat a kadai. Dry roast all the spices given for chettinad spices till they are golden. Remove them to a blender and make into a fine powder. Set aside till use.
    • Heat oil in the same kadai. Add in the whole spice and let them sizzle for a min. Add in shallots, green chillies and curry leaves. Saute till light golden. Now add in ginger garlic paste and saute for a couple of mins.Add in salt and turmeric powder and mix well. Add in tomatoes and saute till they are completely mushed up. Add in the chettinad spice powder and toss well. Add in the cleaned mutton pieces and stir fry with the spices for 5 to 6 minutes.
    • Now transfer this to pressure cooke, add water, salt and cook for 5 whistle. Turn the heat off and let the pressure go all by itself. Now open the cooker and add in coconut masala, more water if needed and mix well. Cover and simmer for 10  mins till the oil separates on top. Add in coriander leaves and mix well. Serve this curry over rice or roti.

    Notes

    • Use tender cuts of lamb or mutton with bone-in for better flavour.
    • You can make a big batch of chettinad spice and store in an air tight container for later use.
    • Instead of shallots, you can use chopped onions.
    • When grinding coconut, you can add some cashews or roasted gram dal.

    Instant Pot Chettinad Lamb

    • Grind coconut and fennel seeds to a smooth paste by adding some water. Set aside till use.
    • Set Instant pot to saute mode. Dry roast all the spices given till they are golden. Remove them to a blender and make into a fine powder. Set aside till use.
    • Heat oil in the same instant pot. Add in the whole spices and let them sizzle for a min. Add in shallots, green chillies and curry leaves. Saute till light golden. Now add in ginger garlic paste and saute for a couple of mins. Add in salt and turmeric powder and mix well. Add in tomatoes and saute till they are completely mushed up. Add in the ground spice powder and toss well. Add in the washed mutton pieces and add some water, salt. 
    • Now cover the instant pot, set it to pressure cook mode, cook for 15 minutes. Let the pressure release by itself. Now open the instant pot and add in coconut masala, more water if needed and mix well. Cover with lid and cook on low for 10  mins till the oil separates on top. Add in coriander leaves and mix well. Serve this curry over rice or roti.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servings | Calories: 615kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 52g | Saturated Fat: 30g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 104mg | Potassium: 862mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1286IU | Vitamin C: 44mg | Calcium: 138mg | Iron: 5mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @yummytummyaarthi or tag #yummytummyaarthi!
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    More Chettinad Recipes to Explore

    • Chettinad Chicken Fry Recipe
    • Chettinad Kuzhi Paniyaram Recipe
    • Mutton Sukka Recipe
    • Chicken Chettinad Gravy Recipe
    • Kalkandu Pongal Recipe
    • Chettinad Kavuni Arisi Recipe

    73
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    « Mutton Sukka Recipe
    Gobi 65 Recipe »
    Aarthi

    About Aarthi

    Over the past few years I’ve been on a mission to find and create recipes that I can make from scratch. I hope you enjoy the recipes on this blog as they are tried and true from my kitchen to yours!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. nayana

      at

      I love fiery spicy chettinad cuisine ur mutton dish looks too inviting

      Reply
    2. Hamaree Rasoi

      at

      Delicious and lovely looking mutton curry recipe. Excellent preparation.
      Deepa

      Reply
    3. Rani Vijoo

      at

      Curry looks delicious...love your presentation....superb..

      Reply
    4. Vimala Nantha

      at

      Nice presentation.

      Reply
    5. pksudarsan

      at

      Looks yummy! Must try!

      Reply
    6. Anonymous

      at

      add recent comment tool so u can help them by answering on relevent post, u hav more 1000 post,

      and choose by recipe tool, bcz by i cant find ur old recipe,

      Reply
    7. Anonymous

      at

      Perfect Mutton Curry , for all those who enjoy high quality food """Gourmet""" south Indian style of cooking rocks...

      Reply
    8. Yogini Gunabalan

      at

      Gonna try this recipe now. It looks yummy 🙂 will post you once i finish cooking.

      Reply
    9. Vairavan Ramaswamy

      at

      We tried it in our home. it was very tasty

      Reply
    10. Vairavan Ramaswamy

      at

      We tried it in our home. it was very tasty

      Reply
    11. Vairavan Ramaswamy

      at

      We tried it in our home. It was very tasty 🙂

      Reply
    12. Anonymous

      at

      Hi

      We do not get sambar onions. Can we use normal onions? How many should I use?

      Thanks a lot. I love your blog!

      Reply
    13. Aarthi

      at

      @Anonymousyes use 2 large onions

      Reply
    14. mobile2day

      at

      Good presentation

      Reply
    15. Anonymous

      at

      Superb!!!!!

      Reply
    16. Anonymous

      at

      Not good. I tried as said but doesn't come good.

      Reply
    17. Aarthi

      at

      @AnonymousI am sorry that it didn't turn out good for you, what problem did you face

      Reply
    18. Rajesh Kumar

      at

      Good recipe with nice presentation.Delicious and wonderful looking very nice and yummy..
      chowringhee satya niketan

      Reply
    19. Anonymous

      at

      Nice

      Reply
    20. Anonymous

      at

      Very yummy

      Reply
    21. Anonymous

      at

      Superb n mouth watering taste..tq fr d recepie

      Reply
    22. Shannon Mathew

      at

      @nayana
      Agreed, fantastic recipe! thanks so much. I cooked mine in a pure clay pot. it turned out much better than a pressure cooker or a non-stick tawa. I got my pure clay pot from Miriams Earthen Cookware (online).

      Reply
    23. Erik

      at

      It's on the stove now! My house smells delicious already! Can't wait to eat it!

      Reply
    24. Neeharika Raj

      at

      Hi Aarthi ..we made it for dinner yesterday night..turned out gr8 .....Thank you for the recipe 🙂 !

      Reply
    25. Anonymous

      at

      wow. yummy taste. the smell spreads all over the street. thank you.

      Reply
    26. Mythily

      at

      I tried it in home, it was very yummy and tastes delicious.. Thanks for giving such a superb recipe.. 🙂

      Reply
    27. Unknown

      at

      Joy

      Hi Aarthi I tried out this recipe it came out awesome and tasted good... It was my first try with mutton.. Thanks for sharing it...

      I
      If u add mace in the recipe it will give more authentic flavours...

      Reply
    28. Kishore Kesani

      at

      Iam weekend coock in my home. I love cooking. This chettinad muttin curry turned to be awsome. My kids really enjoyed and my wife liked it immediately. It is a excellent tasty revipie. I have followed the instructions exactly. The flavour texture taste all are awsome. Thanks for the recipie,
      Kishore kesani

      Reply
    29. Bernice Joy

      at

      Hi me again... Couldn't help posting this comment.. The dry spice powder of this recipe I had some leftovers and I used for other gravy dishes sprinkling it at the end.. It simply took the dishes to another level thank you... I always see to that I have some of this aromatic , tasty masala with me...

      Reply
    30. Priya

      at

      Hi arthi mam. I am a beginner in cooking...it was my first try with mutton..I coudnt believe that I made it..jus followed what you did...u won't believe it came out paakkkaaaa!!!!!thank you soooo much for posting this

      Reply
    31. Purnima Selvamurugan

      at

      I tried this noon Aarti. It came out perfect. Your Blog makes my cooking easier and yummy..

      Reply
    32. LIFE...

      at

      I tried the recipe today at home and it turned out really well. I really like your cooking style.

      Reply
    33. Anonymous

      at

      hi.... can i skip tomatoes if i am allergic ???

      Reply
    34. Unknown

      at

      Ah..mazing! Thank you!

      Reply
    35. palak bhatti

      at

      wow awesome recipe thanks for sharing

      Reply
    36. Anonymous

      at

      Hi mam.. i tried your squid curry recipe and it was extremely delicious..my dad keeps asking me to make it for him frequently.. if I want to use this recipe for 1 kg mutton should I just double all the ingredients? Please reply

      Reply
    37. Nanthini Nanthakumar

      at

      I cooked this mutton curry today. It was so yummy. The aroma was filled in the kitchen. My family liked it so much.

      Thanks for sharing Aarthi.

      Reply
    38. Nanthini Nanthakumar

      at

      How can I upload the photo? 😊😊

      Reply
    39. Arul

      at

      How long should we cook in the pressure cooker? For how many whistles?? (after adding the mutton that is)

      Reply
    40. latha

      at

      really nic presentation mam .very useful for newcomers of kitchen

      Reply
    41. Abirami Irungovel

      at

      Tried this for today's lunch...liked it a lot....It was good and tasty....Thank u for ur fine recipe aarthi.....

      Reply
    42. Alex

      at

      Wow.

      It looks so easy. But I think it must be very delicious.

      Reply
    43. Shivaram Venkatesh

      at

      Hi Aarthi - could you mention the time/no of whistles for each step. I am a beginner cook and want to get it right.

      Reply
      • Aarthi

        at

        If you are using young meat, it will cook in 4 to 5 whistle. Little older meat takes 7 to 8 whistle to cook.

        Reply
    44. Sundaram

      at

      முழு மல்லி nu படிக்காம முள்ளு மல்லி nu படிச்சுட்டேன் 😀

      Reply
    45. Riya

      at

      I tried this recipe a few times, but everytime it tastes bitter. I am
      Not sure what goes wrong, I follow this recipe to the T

      Reply
    5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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