Mutton Soup – Enjoy the rich and comforting flavors of mutton soup, made with tender cuts of succulent mutton or goat that simmer with aromatic herbs and whole spices; this hearty soup is healthy, filling, and delicious!
WHAT IS MUTTON SOUP MADE OF?
Mutton soup is traditionally made with meat from adult goats or sheep known as mutton. The goat simmers with aromatics like fresh onions, garlic, ginger, and whole spices, resulting in a comforting and satisfying meal. Enjoy the filling soup as it is, or serve it with basmati rice and fresh bread.
WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
- Ghee: Fry the onions in ghee to develop a deep, nutty base for the mutton soup.
- Onion: Onions flavor and add bulk to the broth.
- Garlic: I suggest using four cloves, but don’t let my recipe tell you how much garlic to use – measure with your heart.
- Ginger: Garnish with ginger and add it to the soup.
- Green Chili: Add heat that doesn’t overwhelm or overpower with whole green chilies.
- Cinnamon Stick: Impart flavor and aromatics with a broken-down cinnamon stick. I don’t recommend replacing the cinnamon stick with ground cinnamon since that will alter the soup’s flavor.
- Mutton: Be sure to select goat or lamb with bones. I usually purchase goat or lamb at local Indian, Arab, Mexican, or Asian market. Places like Whole Foods carry both; however, they are often more expensive.
- Whole Spices: Season the soup with fresh spices like black cardamon, green cardamon, black cloves, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, star anise, and bay leaves.
- Salt: Taste and season the soup with salt.
HOW TO MAKE MUTTON SOUP
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Warm ghee in the Instant Pot on saute mode. Add the onion and cook until they become soft and translucent.
While the onions are cooking, add the whole spices to a spice ball. Set it aside.
Add garlic, ginger, green chilies, and a cinnamon stick. Cook until aromatic, for about 1 minute.
Next, rinse the mutton and bones; then, add them to the pot and fry them on saute mode until the color changes.
Stir water and salt into the pot. Then, add the spice ball and secure the lid; cook on manual high pressure for 40 minutes with a 10-minute natural release.
Add broth to a bowl or mug and top it with mutton. Garnish with ginger, cilantro, and lemon slices. Enjoy!
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SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Garnish our savory mutton soup with fresh cilantro, ginger, thinly sliced green chilies, and lemon wedges. And to make the soup more filling, I recommend hearty bread like chapati, naan, or roti. You can also serve it with basmati or jeera rice.
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, you can refrigerate it for up to 2 weeks. If not, I recommend eating it within 3-4 days.
- Freeze – Let the soup cool, and transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag for storage. Mutton soup freezes for up to 3 months.
- Thaw – Defrost the frozen soup in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat – Warm leftovers on the stovetop or microwave, prepare fresh toppings, and enjoy.
- Repurpose – Reserve some of the broth and add it to basmati rice to make mutton yakhni pulao. You can also use the broth as a base for other soups and stews.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is mutton?
In South Asian countries, mutton refers to the meat of an adult goat. It’s a popular ingredient in many dishes, including curries, stews, biryanis, and kabobs; the meat cooks slowly over low heat to make it tender and flavorful.
In many countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, people associate mutton dishes with festive celebrations and gatherings.
Is it good to drink mutton soup?
Yes, drinking mutton soup can be good for you, as it is a source of essential nutrients that are beneficial for your health. Mutton soup is rich in minerals, vitamins and amino acids. The bones used in making the soup contain collagen, which is important for joint health, and the gelatin in the soup can help improve digestion and gut health. Additionally, Mutton Soup is a great source of protein.
During my pregnancy, my mother-in-law recommended making me homemade bone soup, and I was hesitant. After all, I had already been hospitalized twice due to severe sickness and dehydration, making it impossible to keep anything down.
But I finally gave in and let her make the soup, and I am forever grateful that I did! It became a staple in my diet, and fortunately, my mother-in-law would make large batches and freeze them for me to enjoy whenever I needed them. To this day, few things are as comforting as a hearty bowl of mutton soup.
Is mutton bone soup good for health?
Mutton soup made is a mineral-rich and plays a vital role in supporting the body’s overall function. It is packed with essential minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, as well as various trace elements.
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Mutton Soup
For the Mutton Soup:
- 1 tablespoon ghee
- 1 medium onion, quartered
- 6 cloves garlic, lightly crushed
- 2 – inch ginger, julienne
- 2-3 green chilies, slit lengthwise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 pound mutton, washed and cut into 1-inch pieces, plus extra bones if you have them
- 4 cups water
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 lemon to garnish
- 1 cup cilantro chopped, to garnish
For the Whole Spices:
- 4 black cardamom, lightly crushed
- 2 green cardamom
- 6 black cloves
- 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
- 1½ teaspoon coriander seeds
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 star anise
- 2 bay leaves
- Warm ghee in the Instant Pot on saute mode. Add the onion and cook until they become soft and translucent.
- While the onions are cooking, add the whole spices to a spice ball. Set it aside.
- Add garlic, ginger, green chilies, and a cinnamon stick. Cook until aromatic, for about 1 minute.
- Next, rinse the mutton and bones; then, add them to the pot and fry them on saute mode until the color changes.
- Stir water and salt into the pot. Then, add the spice ball and secure the lid; cook on manual high pressure for 40 minutes with a 10-minute natural release.
- Add broth to a bowl or mug and top it with a few pieces of mutton. Garnish with ginger, cilantro, and lemon slices. Enjoy!
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.
Ali Raza
Friday 26th of May 2023
Great satisfying soup. Very filling and delicious.
Sara
Friday 26th of May 2023
This mutton soup is pure comfort in a bowl! The tender mutton, fragrant herbs, and spices create a flavor explosion that warms both body and soul. It's the ultimate comfort food for chilly evenings. Highly recommended!