This Burmese Lamb Stirfry with Cumin Seeds and Mustard Seeds is fragrant and delicious! Succulent lamb is stir-fried ina flavorful Burmese-style stirfry sauce, studded with snap peas, red chilis and Thai basil leaves – a delicious stir fry that comes together in under 30 mins. Delicious and EASY.
And now I understand something so frightening & wonderful- how the mind clings to the road it knows, rushing through crossroads, sticking like lint to the familiar. ~Mary Oliver~
Here’s another Burmese recipe we’ve fallen in love with… Burmese Lamb! What gives this dish its unique, delicious flavor are whole cumin and mustard seeds. The cumin gives it such an interesting twist, almost like Chinese, Hunan-style Beef. Unexpected and very tasty.
Today I’ve used leg of lamb that I’ve trimmed, then sliced very thinly across the grain. I’ve opted for local, sustainably-raised American lamb, which seems more meaty and sweeter in flavor than imported lamb. It’s also fresher, having traveled far fewer miles to get here. Lamb cut this way, thinly and across the grain, turns out surprisingly tender in the wok.
If you haven’t tried the Fiery Burmese Chicken yet, make sure to put it on the list too if these flavors appeal to you.
How to make Burmese Lamb Stir fry
Make sure to cut away any fat and sinew, then very thinly slice across the grain, no thicker than ¼ an inch thick.
Toast the cumin and mustard seeds until golden, then grind with mortar and pestle.
Prep all the ingredients, make the stirfry sauce and have everything ready by the stove before you heat the wok.
The cooking goes very quickly and easily!
Serving Suggestions
Divide the Burmese Chili Lamb among bowls and garnish with Thai Basil.
Feel free to serve over jasmine rice, or keep it paleo and low-carb.
Burmese Chili Lamb with Cumin and Mustard Seeds– a delicious stir fry that utilizes seasonal veggies & comes together in under 30 mins. Delicious and EASY!
More Favorite Stir Fry Recipes!
- Burmese Chicken Recipe
- Shrimp Stir fry
- Stir-Fried Pea Shoots
- Szechuan Chicken
- Szechuan Tofu and Veggies
Burmese Chili Lamb with Cumin and Mustard Seeds
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 1x
- Category: Lamb, main, Stir-fry
- Method: Wok, Stir-fry
- Cuisine: Burmese
Description
Burmese Chili Lamb with Cumin and Mustard Seeds- a simple tasty paleo meal full of incredible flavor that can be made in 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 pound American lamb ( Leg of Lamb or lamb shoulder), fat and sinew trimmed, thinly sliced, across grain, into 1/8 -1/4 inch bite-sized pieces.
- 2 teaspoons wok or peanut oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
——
- 1 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds -or use ground cumin, but toasted cumin seeds are best 😉
- 1 teaspoon black mustard seeds ( or regular mustard seeds)
Stir fry Sauce:
- 3 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
——
- 1–2 tablespoons wok oil or peanut oil
- 1–2 cups green veggies- snap peas, snow peas, asparagus, green beans
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 an onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons garlic, rough chopped
- 2 tablespoons finely minced jalapeño (= 1 1/2 stars) For more heat, add more. (I like 3 Tablespoons)
- 6 small dried Thai chiles
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon dried chile flakes, more to taste
- 10 Thai basil leaves, plus extra for garnish, ( or use regular basil)
Instructions
Cut and toss the lamb with the olive oil, cornstarch, salt and pepper. Set aside.
Toast the cumin and mustard seeds in a dry wok over medium heat until fragrant and golden. Grind with a mortar and pestle. Set aside.
Stir the stir fry sauce ingredients together in a small bowl. Prep and gather the remaining ingredients and place near the stove.
Heat 1-2 tablespoons oil in a wok or large cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Add the lamb and sear both sides until each side is golden. Place the lamb on a paper towel lined bowl or plate.
Add the onion and veggies to the wok and continually stir, over medium high heat until they become slightly charred and tender, about 4-5 minutes. Make a well in the center of the pan, (scooting veggies to the sides) add a few drops of oil and then add the jalapeño and garlic and fry for 1-2 minutes. Add the Thai chilies and the lamb back into the wok. Toss a few times, heating the lamb back up a little, then pour in the stir-fry sauce and the ground cumin and mustard seeds. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Taste. Sprinkle with chili flakes according to taste. Right before serving toss in Thai basil leaves.
Serve this over rice or on its own.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 445
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 916.4 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 8.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 17.7 g
- Fiber: 3.4 g
- Protein: 34.3 g
- Cholesterol: 94.9 mg
This recipe was a pure delight – my partner Heather (who loves to cook) prepared this for our dinner – and to say it sparked joy is an understatement. In basic terms it was mouthwatering delicious. Heather has embraced your recipes and I feel as though I’m eating out at a High end restaurant every night. Unfortunately the meals as so great that no real need to dine out – I’m already in the best restaurant in town – thanks to your recipes (PS I still dine out with Heather, but for the record your recipes never disappoint – whereas sometimes the wining and dining doesn’t match your superb recipes). I rate you a Michelin Star for your marvellous tasting recipes. A really big thank you and COVID friendly hug….Martin.
Awwww, thanks Martin, you made my morning. My first Michelin Star! Glad you are enjoying the recipes. Big hugs back.
Dear Sylvia,
I made this yesterday and it was sooo good. My husband and kids loved it! I changed it up a bit, used mock meat, left out the cornstarch, I tripled the veggies and added white cabbage. Instead of the dried Thai chiles I used fresh rawit’s because I couldn’t find the dried one’s.I am definitely going to make this more often. Thanks for the great recipe!!!
Lisette
Lisette! I love how you adapted this and made it vegan!!! Can you tell me what kind of Mock meat you use?