Air Fried Lamb | Sichuan Cumin Lamb

Use your Air-Fryer to make this beautifully marinated Sichuan Cumin Lamb! It's rich in flavor and comes together in a very short amount of time. I love the combo of spicy and savory, with the wonderful tongue-tingle from the Sichuan peppers.

Why You Should Try Szechuan Cumin Lamb

• Fast. Dinner is ready in less than 30 minutes.
• Easy. Simply marinate the cumin lamb and cook it in your air fryer.
• Low Carb. There are only two carbs per serving.
• Delicious. You'll be overjoyed with the amazing flavors that come from such an easy recipe.

What Is Sichuan Cumin Lamb?

If you've ever been to a Sichuan restaurant, you've probably seen Sichuan Cumin Lamb on the menu. That's because it's an amazing dish and an incredibly popular way to cook lamb.

I love making restaurant-quality food at home with a short cooking time so we can enjoy restaurant food at home. This allows me to put in what I want, and leave out what I don't want for special dietary needs or just for a different flavor choice.

An interesting little tidbit: Although it's served in nearly every Szechuan restaurant in the US, Cumin Lamb may not be a super traditional Sichuan dish. It's more commonly found in Northern Chinese districts in Muslim-run restaurants. Nevertheless, it's amazing and is a great recipe to cook in your air fryer.

Does Cumin Go Well With Lamb?

The earthy flavors of cumin pair extremely well with lamb. The seeds can be used either ground or whole and produce equally delicious results. The subtle gaminess of the lamb marries well with the aromatics of the cumin when they are cooked.

How To Make Sichuan Cumin Lamb

Making Szechuan Cumin Lamb is incredibly simple, especially if you make it in your air fryer. You'll love how quickly it cooks without taking the time to preheat a full-sized oven. Here are the simple steps to get a tasty lamb dish on your table in under 30 minutes:

1. In a dry skillet, roast together cumin seeds and Sichuan red peppers. When they have cooled, use a mortar and pestle and give them a rough grind.
2. Use a fork to poke holes into the lamb to allow the marinade to penetrate better.
3. In a large bowl or a Ziploc bag, marinate the lamb with the cumin and Sichuan pepper blend, oil, soy sauce, garlic, red chili peppers, salt, sugar, and cayenne pepper.
4. Place the marinated lamb in a single layer in the air fryer basket. 
5. Using a meat thermometer, check the internal temperature of the lamb and remove it to a serving tray.
6. Mix in the chopped scallions and cilantro, and serve.

Do You Have To Use Lamb?

No. One of my favorite things about this recipe is that you can use a cut of meat that is more easily accessible if you have issues finding lamb in your local market.

I have also tried making this dish with flank steak for cumin beef and it turned out beautifully. Here's how I did it:

1. Prepare the marinade according to the recipe and allow your flank steak to soak in the flavors for 30 minutes.
2. Set the air-fryer to 400°F for 8-10 minutes for medium, 145°F when tested with a meat thermometer.
3. Transfer the steak to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice the steak across the grain.

Love the interesting flavor of Sichuan peppers? Try my Sichuan Smashed Cucumber Salad.

Want More Easy Lamb Recipes?

• Lamb Rogan Josh
• Instant Pot Kacchi Lamb Dum Biryani
• Loin Lamb Chop Recipe With Harissa Sauce
• Spicy Lamb Sirloin Steak
• Instant Pot Jordanian Mansaf

If you found this Sichuan Cumin Lamb as delicious as my family did, make sure you share it with your friends on Facebook and Pinterest so they can try it too.