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Achar Gosht (Pickle-Spiced Mutton Curry)

Name: Achar Gosht (Pickle-Spiced Mutton Curry)
Total time: 95 min
Yield: 5
Ingredients: 750 g Mutton; 2 pc Onion; 150 g Yogurt; 1 tbsp Ginger; 1 tbsp Garlic; 1 tsp Mustard seeds; 1 tsp Fennel seeds; 0.5 tsp Fenugreek seeds; 0.5 tsp Nigella seeds; 0.5 tsp Turmeric; 1.5 tsp Red chilli powder; 1 tbsp Vinegar; 5 tbsp Cooking oil; to taste Salt; 3 pc Green chilli

95 min Medium 5 servings

Serves 5 · Total 95 min · Prep 20 min · Cook 75 min

Updated on 8 November 2026

Photo: Miansari66 / CC0 (Public Domain)

A tangy Pakistani curry where mutton is slow-cooked with yoghurt, onion and pickling spices — mustard, fennel, fenugreek and nigella — plus a splash of vinegar. Sharp, rich and lovely with naan or plain rice.

Quick answer: 95 min in total · serves 5 · main ingredients: Mutton, Onion, Yogurt, Ginger · amounts in metric and US

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Ingredients

Metric US

750 g 1.65 lb Mutton
2 pc 2 pc Onion
150 g 0.65 cup Yogurt
1 tbsp 1 tbsp Ginger
1 tbsp 1 tbsp Garlic
1 tsp 1 tsp Mustard seeds
1 tsp 1 tsp Fennel seeds
0.5 tsp 0.5 tsp Fenugreek seeds
0.5 tsp 0.5 tsp Nigella seeds
0.5 tsp 0.5 tsp Turmeric
1.5 tsp 1.5 tsp Red chilli powder
1 tbsp 1 tbsp Vinegar
5 tbsp 5 tbsp Cooking oil
to taste to taste Salt
3 pc 3 pc Green chilli (Optional)

Steps

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Mix the mutton with yoghurt, ginger, garlic, chilli, turmeric, salt and vinegar. Marinate for at least 1 hour.
⏱ Marinating · 60 min
Heat oil, add mustard, fennel, fenugreek and nigella seeds and let them sizzle for 20 seconds. Add the sliced onions and fry until golden.
⏱ Frying onions · 8 min
Add the marinated mutton and fry on high heat for 10 minutes until the colour changes and the oil rises.
⏱ Frying · 10 min
Add a cup of hot water and the green chillies, cover and cook on low heat for 60 to 70 minutes until the mutton is fork-tender. Add a little water if it dries out.
⏱ Simmering · 70 min
Turn up the heat for the last 5 minutes to thicken the masala until it clings to the meat. Serve hot.
⏱ Thickening the masala · 5 min

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Achar Gosht (Pickle-Spiced Mutton Curry) take?

95 minutes in total: about 20 minutes of prep and 75 minutes of cooking.

Is Achar Gosht (Pickle-Spiced Mutton Curry) hard to make?

Degchi rates it medium. The method has 5 steps, and 5 of them have a timer you can start on this page.

How many people does Achar Gosht (Pickle-Spiced Mutton Curry) serve?

This recipe serves 5. Use the toggle above the ingredient list to see the amounts in metric or US measures. For more or fewer portions, scale every amount in the same proportion, or use the servings control in the Degchi app.

Is Achar Gosht (Pickle-Spiced Mutton Curry) halal, vegetarian or eggless?

It is marked halal in our recipe data. It is not vegetarian. It has no egg. It has no beef. Check the labels on any packaged ingredients for your own needs.

What will I probably need to buy for Achar Gosht (Pickle-Spiced Mutton Curry)?

Everyday staples that Degchi counts as pantry basics: turmeric, red chilli powder, cooking oil, salt. Spice-box items: mustard seeds, fennel seeds, fenugreek seeds, nigella seeds. Fresh items you will probably need to buy: mutton, onion, yogurt, ginger, garlic. Lentils, grains and other dry goods: vinegar.

Any tips for making Achar Gosht (Pickle-Spiced Mutton Curry)?

Mutton from older animals needs the full cooking time; a pressure cooker (about 25 minutes) shortens it. Crush the mustard and fennel lightly for a stronger pickle flavour.