Aug 30 2026
RestaurantsAmma's South Indian CuisineGoat Ghee Roast Recipe

Goat Ghee Roast Recipe

Time3h
Serves4

Bone-in goat, housemade roasted spice blend, ghee.

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Ingredients

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Marinated Goat

Method

Marinated Goat

  1. 1

    Prepare marinade

    In a large bowl combine yogurt, lemon juice, ginger paste, garlic paste, turmeric powder, chopped green chilies and 1.5 tsp salt. Whisk until smooth.

  2. 2

    Marinate goat

    Pat the bone-in goat pieces dry with paper towels. Add the goat to the marinade, rubbing the mixture into and around the bones and in any crevices. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight (8–12 hours) to tenderize and infuse flavor.

Housemade Roasted Spice Blend (Kari Thodakkam)

  1. 3

    Dry roast whole spices

    Place a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add coriander seeds, cumin seeds, black peppercorns, fennel seeds, dry red chilies, cinnamon stick, cloves and green cardamom. Dry-roast, stirring constantly, for 3–5 minutes until fragrant and slightly darker but not burnt.

  2. 4

    Roast coconut

    In the same pan, push the whole spices to one side and add the grated/dessicated coconut. Toast the coconut for 2–3 minutes until golden and aromatic. Remove from heat and let cool for 5–10 minutes.

  3. 5

    Grind the blend

    Transfer cooled spices and coconut to a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Add cinnamon, mace (or nutmeg), red chili powder and 1/2 tsp salt. Grind to a coarse-fine powder (slightly textured). Yield will be approximately 1/2 cup of spice blend.

  4. 6

    Reserve

    Measure out about 3–4 tablespoons of this housemade roasted spice blend for the roast; reserve the remainder for other uses or more seasoning after cooking.

Ghee Roast & Finish

  1. 7

    Preheat and sear

    Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large heavy, ovenproof skillet or Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of ghee over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in batches if necessary, sear the marinated goat pieces for about 3–4 minutes per side, until nicely browned. Remove and set aside.

  2. 8

    Sweat aromatics

    Lower heat to medium. Add remaining ghee (about 10–12 tablespoons total minus what was used for searing) to the same pan. Add sliced shallots and cook 6–8 minutes until softened and golden brown, stirring frequently so they don’t burn. Add sliced garlic and curry leaves and cook another 1–2 minutes until garlic is fragrant and lightly golden.

  3. 9

    Add spice blend

    Stir in 3–4 tablespoons of the housemade roasted spice blend into the ghee and aromatics. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute to bloom the spices and combine flavors. If the pan looks dry, add 1–2 tablespoons of ghee.

  4. 10

    Combine goat and roast

    Return the seared goat pieces to the pan, nestling them into the spice-ghee mixture. Spoon the mixture over the meat to coat evenly. If desired, add 1/4 cup hot water to create a bit of cooking sauce and to prevent sticking.

  5. 11

    Oven roast

    Cover the skillet or Dutch oven with a lid or foil and transfer to the preheated oven. Roast for 35–45 minutes, or until goat is tender and near falling off the bone (internal temperature around 190°F/88°C for very tender texture). Halfway through, spoon pan juices over the pieces and rotate the pan for even cooking.

  6. 12

    Uncover and brown

    Uncover and roast an additional 8–12 minutes if you want a more intensified crust and deeper ghee-roasted color. Baste once or twice with the ghee and spice mixture.

  7. 13

    Finish and garnish

    Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Taste and adjust salt if necessary by sprinkling a little more. Scatter chopped cilantro on top and squeeze lime wedges over the meat before serving.

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