Mutton Nihari is not just a recipe — it is history served on a plate.
This rich, slow-cooked stew was once a royal breakfast in Lucknow and Old Delhi kitchens. Today, it has become a famous dish loved across India and Pakistan, especially during weekends and festivals.
Nihari means “early morning,” because the dish was traditionally cooked overnight and served at sunrise. The long cooking time melts the meat completely and creates a heavy, silky gravy packed with spices and aroma.
If you want soft mutton that falls apart, thick gravy, and that restaurant-style flavor at home, then this recipe will guide you step by step.
Let’s start.
Ingredients You Need
For Mutton Cooking
- 1 kg mutton (preferably shank, chops or nihari cut)
- 1 large onion, finely sliced
- 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 bay leaf
- 6–7 cloves
- 1 inch cinnamon stick
- 2 black cardamom
- 1 tsp fennel seeds (saunf)
- 1 tsp salt (adjust later)
- 1.5 liters water
Nihari Masala (homemade)
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 4 green cardamoms
- 1 star anise
- 1 small piece javitri (mace)
- ½ tsp nutmeg powder
- 1 tbsp coriander powder
- 1 tbsp Kashmiri chili powder
- ½ tsp turmeric
(You can dry roast cumin, fennel, black pepper and grind them for better aroma)
For Thickening
- 3 tbsp wheat flour (atta)
- ½ cup water
For Tempering (Tadka)
- 3–4 tbsp ghee
- 1 tsp red chili powder
Garnish
- Fresh ginger juliennes
- Chopped coriander
- Lemon
- Green chilies
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Searing the Mutton
Heat ghee in a heavy pot or kadai.
Add the sliced onions and fry until golden brown.
Add ginger-garlic paste and cook until raw smell is gone.
Now add mutton pieces and fry them on medium flame for 5–8 minutes.
Light browning helps meat lock flavor and gives gravy a deep color.
Step 2: Add Nihari Spices
Add bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves, fennel, black cardamom and the homemade Nihari masala mix.
Stir everything gently so spices coat the meat nicely.
Cook for 2–3 minutes.
Your kitchen will smell like proper Mughlai cooking by now.
Step 3: Slow Cooking
Add 1.5 liters of water and salt.
Cover the pot and cook on very low flame for 2–3 hours.
Nihari is a slow dish, not a fast dish. Time makes it better.
If you are using a pressure cooker:
- Cook 7–8 whistles on medium flame.
- Then simmer for 20 minutes on low flame.
When meat becomes soft and bones start loosening, move to next step.
Step 4: Thicken the Gravy
Mix atta (whole wheat flour) with water and make a smooth slurry.
Add it slowly into the Nihari while stirring.
Cook for another 20–25 minutes on low flame.
This atta gives Nihari its famous silky texture.
Do not add too much flour — gravy should be thick but not sticky.
Step 5: Final Tadka for Aroma
Heat ghee in a small pan.
Add red chili powder and just heat for 5–6 seconds.
Pour this hot tadka over the Nihari.
This step changes the whole flavor — don’t skip it.
Step 6: Rest Before Serving
Turn off flame, cover the pot and let Nihari rest for 10 minutes.
Resting blends flavors and makes gravy richer.
Most restaurants use this trick.
Serving Suggestion
Serve hot Nihari with:
- Naan
- Tandoori roti
- Roomali roti
- Khameeri roti
Add ginger juliennes, fresh coriander, lemon and sliced green chilies on top.
The first bite itself will tell you why Nihari is called a royal dish.
Important Chef Tips
- Slow cooking is magic. The longer it cooks, the softer and tastier it becomes.
- Use ghee for best flavor, oil works but does not give that authentic taste.
- Nihari tastes even better next day because spices settle and deepen.
- If gravy is too thin, cook without lid for a few minutes.
- Do not rush the atta step, add slowly otherwise gravy becomes lumpy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Adding too many tomatoes (original Nihari has no tomato)
- High flame cooking makes meat rubbery
- Using ready-made masala with too much salt
- Adding atta directly without mixing water
Total Cooking Time
- Preparation: 15 minutes
- Cooking: 2 to 3 hours
- Total Time: Nearly 3 hours
Yes, Nihari takes time. But taste will make you forget the wait.
Final Thoughts
Mutton Nihari is warm, rich, and full of comfort.
It is not just food — it is tradition.
A dish that brings family to the table and makes the whole house smell like heaven.
Make it slowly, serve with love, and you will feel the real Mughlai taste without going to any restaurant.
Once your family tries this version, they will ask you to cook it again and again.
