Whole Mutton Steam Roast Recipe (Sabut Bakra on Rice)
A whole mutton steam roast is a Peshawari and Karachi dawat showpiece: a whole lamb is rubbed with spices, steamed in a big pot and finished on the grill, then served on rice. We filmed the process at a restaurant in Karachi. The video labels the spices (cumin seeds, red chilli flakes, National karahi masala and coriander) but gives no amounts or timings, so the recipe card marks them as not stated.
Serves: a large gathering | Prep: about 10 min (our estimate) | Cook: our estimate (not stated in the video)
Difficulty: Easy (our estimate) | Best for: Eid, weddings, dawats
Heat level: medium (our estimate)
Watch the Whole Mutton Steam Roast Video
What Makes This Whole Mutton Steam Roast Different
Steamed, not roasted dry. The whole mutton is steamed in a big pot on a perforated base, which keeps it soft.
A grill finish. After steaming it is grilled over the fire to colour the outside.
Served on rice. The roast is placed on a large tray of rice with boiled eggs and lemon.
Ingredient Notes
- Mutton: a whole lamb; the video shows the butcher’s cut.
- Spices: cumin seeds, red chilli flakes, National karahi masala and coriander are labelled in the video.
- Steaming: the video does not give a time; keep going until the meat is tender.
| Ingredient | Whole muttonLarge gathering | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Roast | ||
| whole mutton (lamb) | not stated | weight not stated |
| masala paste | not stated | made from the spices below; amount not stated |
| Spices shown in the video | ||
| cumin seeds | not stated | amount not stated |
| red chilli flakes | not stated | amount not stated |
| National karahi masala | not stated | amount not stated |
| coriander | not stated | amount not stated |
| To serve | ||
| boiled rice | not stated | amount not stated |
| boiled eggs | not stated | |
| lemon wedges | not stated | |
Amounts are from the video and recipe card. Items marked * are our estimate.
How to Make Whole Mutton Steam Roast
1. Prepare the spices
The spices on the plate are labelled cumin seeds, red chilli flakes, National karahi masala and coriander.
2. Lay out the mutton
Lay the whole mutton on a tray.
3. Rub in the masala
Rub the masala paste all over the mutton until it is evenly coated.
4. Steam the mutton
Place the coated mutton in a large pot on a perforated base and steam it until it is cooked through.
5. Grill the roast
Finish the steamed mutton on a grill over the fire until the outside is golden.
6. Serve on rice
Spread rice on a large tray, set the roast on top and serve with boiled eggs and lemon.
Authentic Whole Mutton Steam Roast (Khyber Shinwari Style)
Ingredients
Method
- Lay the whole mutton on a tray and rub the masala paste all over it, inside and out.
- Place the coated mutton in a large pot on a perforated base and steam it on the fire until it is cooked through.
- Finish the steamed mutton on a grill over the fire until the outside is golden.
- Spread rice on a large tray, set the roast on top and serve with boiled eggs and lemon.
Video
Notes
- Pro-Tip: If the meat is from an older goat, increase the steaming time to 3 hours for maximum tenderness.
- Safety: When opening the dough-sealed lid, be very careful of the initial burst of hot steam.
- Dry Fruit Hack: Fry raisins and almonds in 1 tbsp of ghee until they puff up, then pour them over the roast for a royal look.
- Salt Balance: The salt added right before steaming is essential because the moisture in the steamer will dilute the salt in the marinade.
Whole Mutton Steam Roast Problems and How to Fix Them
- The meat is tough: steam it longer; the video does not give a time.
- The roast is pale: finish it on a hot grill until golden.
- The masala does not stick: dry the mutton well and rub the paste in firmly.
Serving and Storing
Serve the whole roast on a bed of rice with boiled eggs and lemon, carved at the table. Leftover meat keeps for 2 days in the fridge.
Whole Mutton Steam Roast FAQs
Is the mutton roasted or steamed?
Both: steamed first in a pot, then grilled.
How long do I steam it?
The video does not say; steam until tender.
What spices are used?
The labelled ones are cumin seeds, red chilli flakes, National karahi masala and coriander.
More Recipes
- Yadgar Shinwari mutton handi: another Shinwari mutton dish.
- Afghani mutton pulao: a mutton pulao to serve with it.
