Enjoy a piping hot bowl of stewed mutton paya soup infused with onions, ginger, garlic cloves, and a pinch of salt, then crowned with a deliciously aromatic, warmly-spiced baghar. Like my mutton soup, this hearty meal is perfect for cozying up on chilly winter evenings with a batch of freshly made naan.
What is Paya?
Savor the traditional South Asian delicacy of mutton paya soup, crafted from nutrient-dense foot bones and hoofs, aromatics, fresh herbs, and whole spices. The mutton or lamb legs tenderize, so the juice and all the flavor from the trotters are extracted and combined with the other ingredients for a nutrient-dense stew. And once you’ve tried our paya soup with mutton, don’t forget to make beef paya soup next!
Is Mutton Paya Good for Health?
One of the main ingredients of mutton paya soup is the foot and leg bones that flavor the broth. Bones contain collagen, an essential protein that aids in hair and nail health and joint wellness. Paya is a highly nutritious and a meal that’s helpful for those with colds, stomachaches, and morning sickness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Mutton Paya: You will want to boil the eight feet and ankle bones from goat or lamb.
- Ginger, Garlic, and Onion: The broth and baghar are flavored with sautéed ginger, garlic, and onion.
- Bay Leaves: Subtly flavor the baghar with a clove-like flavor.
- Spices: Combine Kashmiri chili powder, turmeric, coriander powder, salt, and homemade garam masala.
- Cilantro: Cilantro brightens and flavors the dish as a garnish.
How to Make Mutton Paya Soup
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Add mutton paya, water, ginger, garlic, and onion to a pressure cooker; cover and cook for 1 hour.
Step 2: Meanwhile, warm ghee in a small skillet and add onion. Cook until onions become translucent and soften.
Then, add the garlic and ginger; cook for 1 minute, then stir in the bay leaves, chili powder, turmeric, coriander, salt, and garam masala.
Step 3: Stir the onion baghar mixture into the Mutton Paya Soup and spoon it into serving bowls. Eat it as is, or pair it with fresh naan.
If you enjoy this recipe, try one of these Pakistani favorites!
Serving Suggestions
- Bread: Naan, Chapati, Roti, Paratha
- Salad: Chickpea Salad
- Rice: Basmati Rice, Jeera Rice
- Sides: Instant Pot Masoor Dal, Moong Dal Instant Pot Recipe
What to do with the Leftovers
- Refrigerate – If you have a thick layer of solidified fat on top of the soup once it’s cool, then refrigerate the bone broth for up to 2 weeks. If not, it will keep for 3-4 days.
- Freeze – Let the soup cool, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag. I freeze it in individual bags to make defrosting it easier. Mutton paya soup will keep for up to 3 months.
- Thaw – When you’re ready to eat it, let it defrost in the fridge overnight.
- Reheat – Warm leftovers on the stovetop or microwave, prepare your fresh toppings, and enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mutton paya soup made of?
Paya is a traditional meal in countries like India and Pakistan. Paya means ‘feet’ or trotters in Urdu, and the dish is largely made with goat or sheep trotters cooked with onions and aromatics.
Can I make this recipe in the Instant Pot?
1. Add mutton paya, water, ginger, garlic, and onion to an Instant Pot. Secure the lid and set it to manual high pressure for 1 hour with a 10-minute natural release.
2. Meanwhile, warm ghee in a skillet and add onion. Cook until onions become translucent and soften. Then, add the garlic and ginger; cook for 1 minute and stir in the bay leaves, chili powder, turmeric, coriander powder, salt, and garam masala.
3. Stir the onion baghar mixture into the paya soup and spoon it into serving bowls. Eat it as is, or pair it with fresh naan.
More Indian Recipes:
Mutton Paya Soup
- 8 goat or lamb paya, washed and rinsed
- 4 cups water
- 2 – inch fresh ginger, sliced
- 5 garlic cloves, whole
- ¼ white onion, sliced
- ½ cup ghee
- ¼ onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
- 2 bay leaves, broken down
- 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
- Add mutton paya, water, ginger, garlic, and onion to a pressure cooker; cover and cook for 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, warm ghee in a small skillet and add onion. Cook until onions become translucent and soften. Then, add the garlic and ginger; cook for 1 minute, then stir in the bay leaves, chili powder, turmeric, coriander, salt, and garam masala.
- Stir the onion baghar mixture into the paya soup and spoon it into serving bowls. Eat it as is, or pair it with fresh naan.
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.
Ali
Friday 26th of May 2023
Highly recommend trying this recipe!"
Emily
Friday 26th of May 2023
I made this Mutton Paya Soup last night and it was absolutely divine! The flavors were rich and comforting, and the baghar added such a delightful aromatic touch. Perfect for warming up on a chilly evening with a side of fresh naan. This recipe is definitely a keeper!
Sarah Patel
Wednesday 19th of April 2023
Wow, I just made the most amazing paya following this recipe! The combination of the tender mutton, fragrant spices, and rich broth was absolutely delicious. I loved the baghar on top, which added an extra layer of flavor and texture. It was the perfect comfort food to enjoy on a cold day. Thank you for sharing this recipe!