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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Curry

    Easy Lamb Balti Recipe

    Published: Apr 26, 2021 ยท Modified: Sep 26, 2024 by Beth Sachs ยท 5 Comments ยท This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe
    Lamb balti pin image.

    An easy lamb balti recipe, perfect for the whole family!

    Tender chunks of lamb are marinated in spices before being cooked with vegetables on a high heat and served in a fragrant tomato-based sauce.

    lamb balti with naan bread and mango chutney.

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    A balti or bāltī gosht involves the fast cooking of marinated meat and vegetables, in this case chunks of lamb shoulder and strips of pepper, over a high flame in order to retain the flavours of the spices.

    Authentic balti's tend to have less sauce than other curries, but in this easy lamb balti, I've created a slightly more saucy version of this popular dish. I've also toned down the spices with the addition of natural yogurt, making it more palatable for children and people who aren't keen on spicy curries.

    Traditionally balti's are eaten from stainless steel balti bowls with naan bread as an accompaniment (garlic or peshwari usually), which are used to scoop up the meat and vegetables from the bowl! I also like to serve this lamb balti with pilau rice, mango chutney and raita too.

    Although not entirely authentic, this easy lamb balti is suitable for the whole family, so why not try it at your next family curry night?

    👩‍🍳 Love curry? Try my easy chicken pathia curry next!

    Jump to:
    • โœ”๏ธ Why should you try it?
    • ๐Ÿฅ˜ Ingredients
    • ๐Ÿ”ช Instructions
    • ๐Ÿด Serving suggestions
    • ๐Ÿ“– Variations
    • ๐Ÿฅก Storage
    • โ“ FAQS
    • ๐Ÿ˜‹Related recipes
    • Recipe
    • ๐Ÿ’ฌ Comments

    ✔️ Why should you try it?

    • Quick and easy lamb curry.
    • Great for batch cooking.
    • The heat level can adapted to suit individual taste.
    • Freezer-friendly.

    🥘 Ingredients

    Ingredients need for the lamb balti.
    • Lamb - I used lean lamb shoulder cut into bitesize chunks.
    • Lamb Marinade - the lamb chunks are marinated in chilli powder, paprika and lemon juice for at least 15 minutes.
    • Peppers - I used an orange and red pepper cut into strips.
    • Onion
    • Garlic
    • Ginger
    • Chilli
    • Coriander Stalks
    • Balti Curry Paste - use a good quality paste or make your own from scratch if you have time.
    • Turmeric
    • Tinned Tomatoes
    • Sugar - to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
    • Chicken Stock
    • Yogurt - helps cool the curry down so it's suitable for kids. You can leave this out if you prefer a more authentic balti.
    • Coriander Leaves - chopped finely for garnish

    🔪 Instructions

    The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

    One: Marinate the chunks of lamb in chilli powder, paprika and lemon juice for at least 15 minutes (or leave overnight in your fridge).

    Two: Fry the onion, garlic, ginger, chilli and coriander stalks in a little oil until soft.

    Three: Add the turmeric and balti paste and give everything a stir.

    Four: Turn the heat up and fry the lamb and peppers until the lamb has changed colour.

    Step by step photo instructions for making easy lamb balti.

    Five: Add the tinned tomatoes, sugar, stock, salt and pepper, and simmer for 20 minutes.

    Six: Stir in the yogurt for the last 5 minutes of cooking. Garnish with chopped coriander

    Step by step photo instructions for making lamb balti part 2.

    🍴 Serving suggestions

    Traditionally balti is served with naan bread, which is used to scoop up the meat and vegetables from the balti bowl. I also like to serve curries with pilau rice, mango chutney, and raita.

    If I'm serving this lamb balti at one of our family curry nights, I'll also make a milder curry to go alongside it. Something like a mango chutney chicken curry or keema matar.

    📖 Variations

    • Vary the meat by using diced chicken or beef instead of lamb.
    • Use different vegetables such as aubergines and courgette, in place of, or as well as the peppers.
    • Make it vegetarian by omitting the meat and using vegetables.
    • Make it spicier by leaving out the yogurt and adding another red chilli.
    • Make the curry milder by leaving out the fresh chilli's and adding more yogurt.

    🥡 Storage

    The lamb balti can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in the fridge. The flavours develop over time, so I often make this the day before I'm serving it to maximise the flavour.

    Leftovers can be frozen for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container. Defrost the balti in the fridge for 24 hours prior to reheating in the microwave.

    Lamb balti.

    ❓ FAQS

    Should you brown lamb for a curry?

    Yes, brown the lamb until it changes colour, before adding the chopped tomatoes and stock. Browning the lamb helps to tenderise it.

    Can I make lamb balti in my slow cooker?

    Yes, lamb balti can be made in your slow cooker. Brown the lamb prior to adding it, but everything else can be popped in the slow cooker basin without pre-cooking. Cook on low for 6 hours. Use a cornflour slurry or thickening granules to thicken the sauce prior to serving if you wish.

    😋Related recipes

    More curry recipes to try!

    • Halloumi Curry
    • Chicken Pathia
    • Prawn Bhuna
    • Mild Chicken Curry
    • Vegan Chickpea and Spinach Curry
    • Easy Sausage Curry
    • Slow Cooker Chicken Korma

    Recipe

    lamb balti with naan bread.
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    5 from 4 votes

    Easy Lamb Balti

    An easy lamb balti recipe, perfect for the whole family!
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine British, Indian
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 35 minutes minutes
    Total Time 45 minutes minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 727kcal
    Author Beth Sachs
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    Equipment

    • Kitchen Scales
    • Chopping Board
    • Knife
    • Shallow Casserole
    • Wooden Spoon

    Ingredients

    Metric - US Customary
    • 800 g Lamb cut into chunks (I used shoulder)
    • 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
    • 1 teaspoon Paprika
    • 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
    • 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • 1 Onion peeled and finely chopped
    • 1 Garlic Clove peeled and finely chopped
    • 3 cm Fresh Ginger peeled and grated
    • 1 Red Chilli chopped
    • 1 Small bunch of coriander stalks chopped (reserve the leaves for garnish)
    • 2 tablespoon Balti Curry Paste
    • 1 teaspoon Turmeric
    • 2 Peppers sliced and deseeded
    • 400 g Tin of Chopped Tomatoes
    • 250 ml Chicken Stock
    • 1 teaspoon Sugar
    • 100 g Plain Yogurt
    • Chopped Coriander Leaves to garnish

    Instructions

    • Marinate the chunks of lamb in chilli powder, paprika and lemon juice for at least 15 minutes (or leave overnight in your fridge).
    • Fry the onion, garlic, ginger, chilli and coriander stalks in the olive oil until soft. This should take 3-4 minutes.
    • Add the turmeric and balti paste and stir to combine.
    • Turn the heat up and fry the lamb and peppers until the lamb has changed colour.
    • Add the tinned tomatoes, sugar, stock, salt and pepper, and simmer for 20 minutes.
    • Stir in the yogurt for the last 5 minutes of cooking. Garnish with chopped coriander.

    Notes

    Variations: 
    • Vary the meat by using diced chicken or beef instead of lamb.
    • Use different vegetables such as aubergines and courgette, in place of, or as well as, the peppers.
    • Make it vegetarian by omitting the meat and using different types of vegetables.
    • Make it spicier by leaving out the yogurt and adding another red chilli.
    • Make the curry milder by leaving out the fresh chilli's and adding more yogurt.
     
    Storage: The lamb balti can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in the fridge. The flavours develop over time, so I often make this the day before I'm serving it to maximise the flavour.
     
    Nutrition: The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
     
    Nutrition Facts
    Easy Lamb Balti
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    727
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    56
    g
    86
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    22
    g
    138
    %
    Cholesterol
     
    151
    mg
    50
    %
    Sodium
     
    375
    mg
    16
    %
    Potassium
     
    952
    mg
    27
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    17
    g
    6
    %
    Fiber
     
    3
    g
    13
    %
    Sugar
     
    9
    g
    10
    %
    Protein
     
    38
    g
    76
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    1840
    IU
    37
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    80
    mg
    97
    %
    Calcium
     
    124
    mg
    12
    %
    Iron
     
    5
    mg
    28
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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    More Easy Curry Recipes

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      Easy Chicken Pasanda Curry Recipe
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      Easy Leftover Chicken Curry Recipe
    • Quorn curry in a red pan.
      Easy Quorn Curry Recipe
    • Creamy mango chutney chicken.
      Fruity Mango Chutney Chicken Curry Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Chelsea

      April 26, 2021 at 5:58 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe looks so delicious! I am going to make up a pot the next time lamb is on sale at the store. We can never turn down a good curry in our house! Thanks for sharing this recipe. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
    2. Anjali

      April 26, 2021 at 6:06 pm

      5 stars
      I love all of the spices you added to this recipe!! It made it so rich and flavorful!! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
    3. Cyndy

      April 26, 2021 at 6:12 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe was packed with flavor and my whole family loved it. It was much easier to make than expected so thanks for the great instructions!

      Reply
    4. ali randall

      April 26, 2021 at 6:15 pm

      I have never had balti but this looks delicious and full of flavor. I think this is ideal comfort food. Trying this recipe soon. YUM!

      Reply
    5. Cate

      April 26, 2021 at 6:42 pm

      Wow this looks like the most comforting meal ever! Love the lamb in it making this soon!

      Reply
    5 from 4 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Hi, I'm Beth!

    Mum of three (and two crazy dogs), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

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