Massaman Lamb Curry

🎁 You have 30 days of free full access to every recipe. Join the Kitchen Club to keep it →
Floating markets

📍 Where this dish comes from: Floating markets (Damnoen Saduak, Amphawa) · Floating markets
Discover the history of this region →
Massaman Lamb Curry, plated and ready to serve

Massaman is unique among Thai curries — influenced by Persian and Indian spice trade routes through the Muslim south of Thailand, it incorporates warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and star anise alongside the standard Thai aromatics. The result is a complex, deeply spiced curry that tastes like nothing else in Thai cuisine. With lamb instead of the more traditional beef, the richness is even more pronounced, and the long braise leaves it falling apart at the touch of a fork.

What You’ll Need

Ingredients for Massaman Lamb Curry

Massaman Lamb Curry

The Persian-influenced curry of Southern Thailand — meltingly tender lamb shoulder with warm spices, coconut, and a hint of tamarind.
Print Recipe
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Thai
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 680kcal

Ingredients

  • 800 g lamb shoulder cut into chunks
  • 400 ml full-fat coconut milk
  • 300 ml lamb or beef stock
  • 3 tbsp massaman curry paste
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 3 cardamom pods
  • 2 star anise
  • 3 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp tamarind paste
  • 1 tsp erythritol
  • 60 g roasted peanuts or almonds
  • 2 bay leaves

Instructions

  • Sear lamb in hot oil until browned all over. Set aside.
  • Fry massaman paste in the same pot 2 minutes.
  • Add coconut milk, stock, cinnamon, cardamom, star anise, and bay leaves.
  • Return the lamb. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook 1.5–2 hours until very tender.
  • Add tamarind, fish sauce, and erythritol. Adjust seasoning.
  • Stir in peanuts or almonds and cook 5 more minutes.
  • Serve garnished with fried shallots and more peanuts.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 680kcal | Protein: 46g | Fat: 52g | Fiber: 2g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Cooking Massaman Lamb Curry in the kitchen

Health Benefits

  • Lamb is one of the richest dietary sources of carnitine, important for fat metabolism.
  • Cardamom has been studied for its blood pressure-lowering effects.
  • Cinnamon may help improve insulin sensitivity and support healthy blood glucose levels.

Pairs Well With

  • Cauliflower Khao Neow Sticky Cauliflower
  • Jicama Som Tam Green Papaya Style Salad
Scroll to Top