Homemade Keema Curry Recipe: Spicy, Satisfying Comfort Food

Keema curry bursts with rich, aromatic flavors that change humble ingredients into a culinary celebration.

Spices weave complex layers of warmth throughout this beloved dish, creating a sensory experience that tantalizes taste buds.

Indian home cooks have perfected this hearty recipe over generations, blending traditional techniques with regional nuances.

Ground meat simmers gently with fragrant herbs and robust spices, developing a depth that speaks to comfort and nourishment.

Each bite tells a story of cultural heritage and familial love, connecting you to generations of cooking wisdom.

Delicate yet bold, this recipe balances heat, texture, and umami in perfect harmony.

The magic of keema curry lies in its ability to elevate simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

What Makes Keema Curry So Comforting

• Savor Speedy Spice Explosion: This keema curry delivers intense flavor in just 20 minutes, perfect for busy home cooks craving authentic Indian cuisine without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Texture Triumph: Experience a delightful mix of tender ground beef, soft peas, and rich sauce that creates a satisfying mouthfeel with every single bite.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimize cleanup and maximize convenience with this single-skillet recipe that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal without complicated cooking techniques.
• Budget-Friendly Flavor Bomb: Affordable ingredients like ground beef, frozen peas, and common spices combine to create a luxurious-tasting curry that doesn't break the bank.

Ingredients Used in Keema Curry

• Minced Beef: Lean ground meat that provides the hearty base of the curry, best with 80/20 fat content for rich flavor.

• Onion, Garlic, Ginger: Classic aromatic trio that builds deep flavor foundation for the curry.
• Curry Powder, Garam Masala, Coriander: Warm spice blend that creates authentic Indian-style seasoning.
• Cumin: Earthy spice that enhances the meat's richness and adds depth to the dish.

• Tomato Puree, Tinned Tomatoes: Provides tangy base and helps create smooth, rich sauce.
• Frozen Peas: Adds color, sweetness, and nutritional boost to the curry.
• Ghee or Oil: Helps cook aromatics and prevents sticking, with ghee offering traditional Indian flavor.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning to enhance and balance overall taste.
• Water: Helps create the right consistency for the curry sauce.

How to Prepare Authentic Keema Curry

Step 1: Prepare the Beef

Heat a large frying pan over high heat. Add minced beef, seasoning with salt, pepper, and cumin. Break up the meat while cooking until it turns golden brown, about 5 minutes.

Step 2: Remove and Prepare Pan

Transfer the browned beef to a separate plate using a slotted spoon. Reduce the pan’s heat to medium and add ghee or cooking oil.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatics

• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger
• Tomato puree
• Curry powder
• Garam masala
• Ground coriander

Fry the spices for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4: Create the Curry Base

Pour in tinned tomatoes and water. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Return the cooked beef to the pan and let it simmer for 5-6 minutes.

Step 5: Final Touch

Stir in frozen peas and cook for an additional 2 minutes. The curry is now ready to serve.

Keema Curry Cooking Tips

• Boost Meat Flavor: Brown the minced beef thoroughly to develop deep, rich taste and create a delicious caramelized exterior.
• Control Spice Level: Adjust curry powder and garam masala quantities to match your personal heat preference without overwhelming the dish.
• Prevent Greasiness: Use a slotted spoon when removing browned beef to drain excess fat, ensuring a lighter, cleaner sauce.
• Maximize Aromatics: Fry spices briefly to release their essential oils, which intensifies the overall flavor profile of the curry.
• Perfect Texture Trick: Allow the curry to simmer gently, letting the ingredients meld together and create a rich, harmonious sauce that coats the meat beautifully.

Best Way to Store and Reheat Keema Curry

• Refrigeration: Transfer leftover Keema Curry into an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the flavors fresh and delicious.
• Freezing: Cool the curry completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for maximum 3 months, ensuring you label with the date to track freshness.
• Reheating: Warm gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of water if the curry seems dry, restoring its original moisture and preventing the meat from becoming tough. Always ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.

Pairings for Keema Curry Meals

• Pair with Fragrant Basmati Rice: Fluffy basmati rice perfectly complements the rich, spicy flavors of keema curry, soaking up the delicious sauce and providing a light, aromatic base.
• Serve with Crisp Cucumber Raita: Cool, tangy cucumber yogurt raita balances the warmth of the curry, offering a refreshing contrast that cuts through the meat's intensity.
• Match with Indian Pale Ale: A hoppy, citrusy IPA beer stands up to the bold spices, its crisp carbonation and slight bitterness enhancing the curry's complex flavor profile.
• Enjoy with Naan Bread: Soft, pillowy naan is ideal for scooping up every last bit of the savory sauce, adding a delightful textural element to the meal.

Recipe Variations for Keema Curry

• Lamb Lover's Curry: Swap minced beef with ground lamb for a richer, more intense flavor profile that brings traditional Middle Eastern taste to the dish.
• Vegetarian Veggie Delight: Replace meat with crumbled tofu or plant-based protein, adding extra vegetables like diced carrots and spinach for a nutritious alternative.
• Spicy Southern Kick: Increase heat by adding fresh jalapeños, cayenne pepper, and a splash of hot sauce to create a more fiery version of the classic curry.
• Coconut Cream Classic: Stir in coconut milk at the end of cooking for a creamy, slightly sweet version that softens the spice and adds tropical depth to the curry.

Keema Curry Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Keema curry brings spicy ground meat magic straight from Indian kitchens, blending aromatic spices with tender lamb or beef. Hearty and complex flavors dance across your palate, delivering a comforting meal that connects you to traditional subcontinental culinary wisdom.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 500 grams (1.1 pounds) minced beef (ground beef)

Spices and Seasonings:

• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 2 teaspoons ghee (or neutral oil)
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon minced ginger
• 1 tablespoon tomato puree (paste in the US)
• 400 grams (14 ounces) tinned chopped tomatoes
• 200 milliliters (7 fluid ounces) water
• 140 grams (1 cup) frozen peas
• 2 tablespoons fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped
• Boiled rice

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Instructions

1. Preheat a spacious skillet to high temperature, ensuring even heat distribution across the cooking surface.
2. Introduce ground beef into the hot pan, seasoning generously with salt, black pepper, and ground cumin. Methodically fragment the meat while stirring, allowing it to brown evenly for approximately 5-6 minutes until no pink remains.
3. Carefully extract the browned beef using a perforated spoon, transferring to a clean holding plate. Reduce cooking temperature to medium-low heat.
4. Add clarified butter (ghee) or neutral cooking oil to the same skillet, creating a fragrant base for aromatics.
5. Gently sauté finely chopped onions until translucent and softened, approximately 4-5 minutes, releasing their natural sweetness.
6. Incorporate minced garlic, freshly grated ginger, tomato puree, curry powder, aromatic garam masala, and ground coriander. Stir continuously for 60-90 seconds to intensify the spice profile and prevent burning.
7. Pour in crushed tomatoes and water (about or 120 milliliters), stirring to create a harmonious sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
8. Reintroduce the previously browned beef into the spiced sauce, allowing it to meld and simmer for 5-6 minutes, developing deep, complex flavors.
9. Fold in frozen green peas, cooking for an additional 2 minutes to warm through and maintain their vibrant color and texture.

Notes

• Perfectly spiced meat curry bursting with authentic Indian flavors that comes together in just 20 minutes.
• Choose lean ground beef for a healthier version, or swap with lamb or turkey for variety.
• Break up meat while cooking to ensure even browning and prevent large clumps for optimal texture.
• Use fresh ginger and garlic for intense aromatic depth that elevates the entire dish’s flavor profile.
• Frozen peas add quick nutrition and bright color contrast to the rich, warming curry sauce.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, reheating gently to maintain moisture and taste.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 352 kcal
• Sugar: 6.5 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg