This Cumin Lamb Stir Fry is a delightful fusion of bold flavors and tender textures. The combination of cumin seeds and chili flakes adds a spicy, aromatic kick to the succulent lamb, while the onion and bell peppers provide a satisfying crunch. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this dish is sure to impress your taste buds.
Some ingredients in this recipe might not be staples in every kitchen. Rice wine is a common ingredient in Asian cooking, adding a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor. Cumin seeds and chili flakes are essential for the dish's signature taste, so make sure to pick them up if you don't already have them in your spice rack.

Ingredients For Cumin Lamb Stir Fry
Lamb: Thinly sliced for quick cooking and tenderness.
Soy sauce: Adds a savory umami flavor to the marinade.
Rice wine: Provides a subtle sweetness and depth to the marinade.
Cornstarch: Helps to tenderize the meat and thicken the sauce.
Vegetable oil: Used for stir-frying the ingredients.
Onion: Adds sweetness and texture to the dish.
Bell peppers: Provide color, crunch, and a slight sweetness.
Garlic: Adds a robust, aromatic flavor.
Cumin seeds: Impart a warm, earthy flavor.
Chili flakes: Add a spicy kick to the dish.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When marinating the lamb, ensure that each slice is evenly coated with the soy sauce, rice wine, and cornstarch. This not only enhances the flavor but also helps to tenderize the meat. For an even better result, let the lamb marinate for at least 30 minutes instead of the suggested 10 minutes. This extra time allows the flavors to penetrate deeper into the meat, resulting in a more flavorful and succulent dish.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
lamb - Substitute with beef: Beef has a similar texture and flavor profile when thinly sliced, making it a good alternative for stir-frying.
soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative that provides a similar umami flavor.
rice wine - Substitute with dry sherry: Dry sherry has a comparable flavor and acidity, making it a suitable replacement.
cornstarch - Substitute with arrowroot powder: Arrowroot powder works similarly to cornstarch as a thickening agent.
vegetable oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a neutral flavor and high smoke point, making it ideal for stir-frying.
onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder and slightly sweeter flavor, which can complement the dish well.
bell peppers - Substitute with poblano peppers: Poblano peppers provide a similar texture with a slightly different flavor profile, adding a mild heat.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in place of fresh garlic, though it should be used in smaller quantities due to its concentrated flavor.
cumin seeds - Substitute with ground cumin: Ground cumin provides the same earthy flavor, though it is more potent, so use slightly less.
chili flakes - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a similar heat level, though it is more intense, so adjust the quantity accordingly.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Dish
Allow the lamb stir fry to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
Transfer the cooled stir fry into an airtight container. This helps maintain the freshness and prevents any unwanted odors from seeping in.
For short-term storage, place the container in the refrigerator. The cumin lamb stir fry will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
If you plan to store the dish for a longer period, consider freezing it. Portion the stir fry into individual servings for convenience.
Use freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags to store the portions. Make sure to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
Label each container or bag with the date of storage. This helps you keep track of how long the lamb stir fry has been stored.
When ready to eat, thaw the stir fry in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures even thawing and maintains the texture of the vegetables and meat.
Reheat the cumin lamb stir fry in a pan over medium heat. Add a splash of vegetable oil or a bit of water to prevent it from drying out.
Stir occasionally to ensure even heating. Once heated through, serve hot and enjoy the flavors of your cumin lamb stir fry once again.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Add a splash of vegetable oil to the pan.
- Once the oil is hot, add the leftover Cumin Lamb Stir Fry.
- Stir occasionally to ensure even heating, for about 5-7 minutes or until the lamb is heated through.
- Serve hot and enjoy the revived flavors.
Microwave Method:
- Place the Cumin Lamb Stir Fry in a microwave-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape.
- Heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
- Check if the lamb is heated through; if not, continue heating in 30-second intervals.
- Let it sit for a minute before serving.
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the Cumin Lamb Stir Fry in an oven-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
- Heat in the oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until the lamb is thoroughly heated.
- Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes if you prefer a slightly crispy texture.
Steaming Method:
- Set up a steamer basket over a pot of simmering water.
- Place the Cumin Lamb Stir Fry in a heatproof dish and place it in the steamer basket.
- Cover and steam for about 10 minutes, or until the lamb is heated through.
- Carefully remove the dish from the steamer and serve immediately.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the Cumin Lamb Stir Fry in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Heat for about 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.
- Check if the lamb is heated through; if not, continue heating in 2-minute intervals.
- Serve hot and enjoy the crispy texture.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Knife: For thinly slicing the lamb, onion, and bell peppers.
Cutting board: A sturdy surface to safely slice the lamb and vegetables.
Mixing bowl: To marinate the lamb with soy sauce, rice wine, and cornstarch.
Measuring spoons: To accurately measure the soy sauce, rice wine, cornstarch, vegetable oil, cumin seeds, and chili flakes.
Wok: Ideal for high-heat stir-frying, ensuring even cooking of the lamb and vegetables.
Spatula: For stirring and mixing the ingredients in the wok.
Garlic press: To easily mince the garlic cloves.
Serving dish: To present the finished cumin lamb stir fry.
How to Save Time on Making This Dish
Marinate in advance: Marinate the lamb the night before to save time on prep.
Pre-slice vegetables: Slice the onion and bell peppers ahead of time and store them in the fridge.
Use a hot pan: Ensure your pan is hot before adding the lamb to speed up the cooking process.
Batch cook: Double the recipe and freeze half for a quick meal later.
Organize ingredients: Lay out all ingredients before you start cooking to streamline the process.

Cumin Lamb Stir Fry
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 500 g lamb, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 bell peppers, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Marinate lamb with soy sauce, rice wine, and cornstarch for 10 minutes.
- Heat oil in a pan over high heat. Add lamb and stir-fry until browned. Remove from pan.
- In the same pan, add onion, bell peppers, and garlic. Stir-fry until vegetables are tender.
- Add cumin seeds and chili flakes. Stir well.
- Return lamb to the pan. Mix everything together. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve hot.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Dish
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