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A clay pot of rich Kunna Gosht mutton curry topped with ginger and coriander, served with naan
Pakistani · Main Course

Kunna Gosht

Sealed Pot Slow-Cooked Mutton

Bone-in mutton cooked in its own juices with yogurt, ghee and whole spices in a dough-sealed pot until it falls off the bone. A rich Punjabi-style dum dish for weekends.

Published 29 Sep 2026Updated Tested by Hina Ikram

Prep45 min
Cook2 h 40 min
Total3 h 25 min
Serves6
DifficultyMedium
CuisinePakistani

Ingredients

6 servings

Equipment: Heavy-bottomed pot with a tight lid (or a clay pot), aluminium foil, flat tawa or heat diffuser

Method

  1. Mix the atta with about 6 tbsp water to make a firm, soft dough. Cover and set aside; you will roll it into a rope later to seal the pot.

  2. In a large bowl, combine the mutton, yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, chilli powder, coriander powder, turmeric, salt and black pepper. Mix well so every piece is coated, then marinate at room temperature.

  3. Heat the ghee in the heavy pot over medium heat. Add the cumin, bay leaf, cinnamon, cloves and both cardamoms and let them sizzle for 30 seconds until fragrant.

  4. Add the sliced onions and fry, stirring often, until deep golden brown. Lower the heat if they darken too fast.

  5. Add the marinated mutton with all the yogurt, and the tomatoes. Raise the heat to medium-high and stir-fry until the meat changes colour, the tomatoes break down and the ghee begins to separate at the edges.

  6. Pour in the water, tuck in the whole green chillies and scatter over half the ginger matchsticks. Bring to a gentle simmer, then turn the heat off.

  7. Cover the pot with a sheet of foil, press the lid on top, then roll the dough into a rope and press it firmly around the rim so no steam can escape.

  8. Place the pot on a tawa or heat diffuser over the lowest flame. Cook without opening it until the mutton is very tender and pulls easily from the bone.

  9. Turn off the heat and let the pot rest, still sealed, so the juices settle. Then break the dough seal and lift the lid away from your face to avoid the steam.

  10. Check the gravy: it should be thick and glossy with ghee on top. If it is watery, simmer uncovered on medium heat for 5 minutes. Stir in the garam masala, the remaining ginger and the fresh coriander, and serve hot.

Cooking tips

  • Use mutton with some fat and bone, such as shoulder or leg. Lean meat can turn dry over a long cook.
  • The seal matters more than the exact time. If steam leaks, patch the gap with more dough and lower the flame.
  • Do not add extra water at the start. The meat, yogurt and tomatoes release plenty of liquid in a sealed pot.
  • Older or tougher mutton may need another 20 to 30 minutes. Test a piece before opening the whole pot to finish.

Substitutions

  • Beef short ribs or goat can replace mutton; beef may need 30 to 45 extra minutes.
  • Use oil in place of ghee, though the flavour will be less rich.
  • Add 1 tbsp of raw papaya paste to the marinade to help tenderise tougher meat.
  • Skip the black cardamom if you cannot find it, and add an extra green cardamom pod.

Serve with

Serve with hot tandoori naan, plain roti or steamed rice, with sliced onions, lemon wedges and a simple cucumber raita on the side.

Storage

Cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a covered pan over low heat with 2 to 3 tbsp water until steaming hot all the way through. Thaw frozen portions in the fridge overnight first.

Nutrition per serving, estimated

520kcal
35 gProtein
9 gCarbs
38 gFat

Estimated from the ingredient list. Values vary with brands and portion size.

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