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Lamb Pilaf (Plov)

⏱ ~60 min (est.)MediumLambRussian
Lamb Pilaf (Plov)

This Russian lamb builds lamb, prunes and lamb into a proper meal you can have ready in about 60 minutes. Below: the ingredients split into pantry staples and a quick shopping list, a built-in serving scaler, and the method in 5 steps.

You'll mainly reach for frying pan / skillet and pan. At medium difficulty across 5 steps, it's manageable with a little attention.

What you'll need

Servings4

Shopping list (6)

Pantry staples (you likely have these)

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How to make it

  1. Place the raisins and prunes into a small bowl and pour over enough water to cover. Add lemon juice and let soak for at least 1 hour. Drain. Roughly chop the prunes.
  2. Meanwhile, heat the butter in a large pan, add the onion, and cook for 5 minutes. Add cubed lamb, ground lamb, and crushed garlic cloves. Fry for 5 minutes, stirring constantly until browned.
  3. Pour 2/3 cup (150 milliliters) of stock into the pan. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 1 hour, or until the lamb is tender.
  4. Add the remaining stock and bring to a boil. Add rinsed long-grain white rice and a large pinch of saffron. Stir, then cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender.
  5. Add the drained raisins, drained chopped prunes, and salt and pepper to taste. Heat through for a few minutes, then turn out onto a warmed serving dish and garnish with sprigs of flat-leaf parsley.

You'll use: Frying pan / skillet · Pan · Saucepan

Watch how it's made

Hosted on YouTube — pressing play loads content from YouTube.

Ingredient substitutions

Lemon
lime · 1 tbsp white wine vinegar per lemon
Butter
olive oil (¾ the amount) · coconut oil · margarine

What to serve with Lamb Pilaf (Plov)

Tips & common questions

How long does Lamb Pilaf (Plov) take to make?

About 60 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 5 steps and 11 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.

What can I use instead of lemon?

Try lime. See the substitutions section above for more swaps.

Can I scale this recipe up or down?

Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.

How should I store leftovers?

Cool leftovers quickly, refrigerate in an airtight container, and eat within 3 days. Reheat until piping hot throughout.

Recipe data for Lamb Pilaf (Plov) via TheMealDB (open database). ▶ Video. Original source. Consomee adds the scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure — how we source recipes.