One of my favorite things to order when I go to a Sichuan restaurant is Cumin Lamb Stir Fry (孜然羊肉). Something about cumin and lamb together - it just works so well. But guess what? This bold and flavorful dish isn’t just for takeout or restaurants - this is the homecooked version my mom makes, and it’s absolutely delicious. I grew up eating this at home, and now I’m excited to share it with you! With just a few simple ingredients and a hot wok, you can recreate those same sizzling flavors in your own kitchen.

What is Cumin Lamb?

Cumin Lamb is a bold, aromatic stir fry made with thinly sliced lamb seasoned with ground cumin and stir fried with chili, garlic, onions, and sometimes Sichuan peppercorn. It’s often garnished with scallions or cilantro, and packs a punch of flavor.

Cumin Lamb Origin

As someone that always ordered Cumin Lamb in Sichuan restaurants, I was surprised to find that it in fact, is not originally from Sichuan!

It originates from the Uyghurs community. Uyghurs are a Turkic-speaking minority ethnic group that mostly reside in Xinjiang, which is Northwest China.

As you may have noticed, tasty food spreads, and so this flavorful dish is served in many Uyghur restaurants in Sichuan. Over time, it became a very popular dish in Sichuan also. So that's why you will find Cumin Lamb in almost every Sichuan restaurant here in the states!

What lamb to use for stir fry?

I like using pre-sliced lamb from the hot pot section at my local Asian grocery—super convenient and perfect for stir fries!

If slicing your own, go for tender cuts like rump, tenderloin, or leg of lamb. Just make sure to slice it thinly across the grain for the best texture.

How to cook Cumin Lamb stir fry?

First, gather your ingredients:

• Lamb Marinade:
  • 1 lb lamb, sliced thinly
  • 2 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice cooking wine
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• Stir Fry:
  • 2 tablespoon cooking oil, divided
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, julienned
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • ½ white onion, sliced (optional)
  • 1 ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried red chili pepper
  • 1 stalk green onions, cut in to 1 inch length
  • Salt, to taste
  • ¼ cup of cilantro (optional)

In a large mixing bowl or zip-top bag, combine the sliced lamb with soy sauce, rice wine, cornstarch, and ground cumin. Mix well and marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for deeper flavor.

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add the lamb and stir fry for about 5 minutes until mostly browned. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the wok. Stir fry ginger (and optional white onions) until fragrant and the onions are translucent.

Return the lamb to the wok.

Add garlic, crushed red pepper, dried red chili pepper, green onions, and salt. Stir fry until the lamb is fully cooked and everything is well combined.

Remove from heat. Garnish with fresh cilantro if using. Serve hot with steamed rice or toss with noodles!

Pro tip - the next day, you can make cumin lamb noodles! This can be dry noodle by just adding noodles and mixing with the sauce and cumin lamb stir fry, or even cumin lamb noodle soup!

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Yield: 4 servings

Cumin Lamb Stir Fry (孜然羊肉)

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This is our homecooked version of the bold, spicy lamb stir fry you'll find at Sichuan restaurants - except it's easy enough to make in your own kitchen! Thinly sliced lamb is marinated and cooked with cumin, dried chili, and aromatics for an irresistible dish packed with flavor. Bonus: You can turn leftovers into cumin lamb noodles the next day!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Additional Time 30 minutes

Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

Lamb Marinade:

• 1 lb lamb, sliced thinly
• 2 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice cooking wine
• 1 tablespoon corn starch
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin

Stir Fry:

• 2 tablespoon cooking oil, divided
• 1 tablespoon ginger, julienned
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• ½ white onion, sliced (optional)
• 1 ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried red chili pepper
• 1 stalk green onions, cut in to 1 inch length
• Salt, to taste
• ¼ cup of cilantro (optional for garnish)

Instructions

1. Marinate the Lamb:
   In a large mixing bowl or zip-top bag, combine the sliced lamb with soy sauce, rice wine, cornstarch, and cumin. Mix well and marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
2. Sear the Lamb:
   Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add the lamb and stir fry for about 5 minutes, until mostly browned. Remove from pan and set aside.
3. Stir Fry Aromatics:
   Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Stir fry ginger (and optional white onion) until fragrant and the onions are translucent.
4. Finish the Stir Fry:
   Return the lamb to the wok. Add garlic, crushed red pepper, dried chili, green onions, and salt. Stir fry until the lamb is fully cooked and well combined with the aromatics.
5. Garnish and Serve:
   Remove from heat and top with fresh cilantro if desired. Serve hot with rice or toss with noodles.

Notes

Want to stretch it? Add bell peppers, celery, or other veggies you love.

Leftovers can be turned into Cumin Lamb Noodles or Cumin Lamb Noodle Soup the next day—just add noodles and a splash of broth.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Michiu (Rice Cooking Wine)- 750ml (Pack of 1) by QIAN HU
• 
  Hiware 10-Pairs Fiberglass Chopsticks - Reusable Chopsticks Dishwasher Safe, 9 ½ Inches - Black
• 
  Calphalon Contemporary Hard-Anodized Aluminum Nonstick Cookware, Flat-Bottom Wok, 10-Inch, Black - 1877054
• 
  Soeos Szechuan Dried Chili，Dry Szechuan Pepper, Dry Chile Peppers, Sichuan Pepper, Dried Red Chilies, 4oz, (Very Mild Spicy)
• 
  Wan Ja Shan Organic Aged Soy Sauce, 33.8fl.oz
• 
  Badia Spices inc Spice, Cumin Seed Ground, 16-Ounce

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 464Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 110mgSodium: 676mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 29g

The nutrition information for this recipe is an approximate total per serving. Please double check the nutrition information for your exact ingredients and brands for more precise nutrition information. Keep in mind that if there is a marinade, often times not all the ingredients will be consumed.

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More Delicious an Easy Lamb Recipes

• If you love the flavor of this dish - you're also going to love my Cumin Lamb Chops! Easy and delicious - you can pan fry, grill, or air fry it!
• If you're a fan of asparagus, check out this simple Stir Fry Lamb with Asparagus! You got your protein and veggies and it is yummy and easy to make!
• For those of you that acquired the bitter melon taste... try this Bitter Melon Lamb Stir Fry! Who would've thought something bitter could be yummy?
• Move over pepper steak, try this Lamb Stir Fry with Peppers instead! Marinated sliced lamb stir fried with ginger, scallions and green peppers! What's not to love?