Spicy Keema Curry Recipe

Aromatic Spiced Keema Curry Recipe: A Flavorful Family Favorite

Simmering with aromatic spices and rich, hearty flavors, this keema curry recipe promises a delightful culinary journey through traditional Indian cuisine.

Ground meat dances with vibrant masalas, creating a mouthwatering blend that warms every sense.

Tender spiced meat melts effortlessly against a backdrop of fragrant ingredients.

Each bite tells a story of generations-old cooking techniques passed down through kitchens across India.

Perfectly balanced and deeply satisfying, this curry brings restaurant-quality comfort directly to your dining table.

Weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings will never be the same once you master this delectable dish that promises to become a household favorite.

Kitchen Tools for Cooking Keema with Ease

  • Large frying pan: Essential for browning beef and creating the curry base.
  • Slotted spoon: Perfect for removing and transferring beef while leaving excess fat behind.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring ingredients and breaking up beef while cooking.
  • Measuring spoons: Helps accurately add spices like salt, pepper, cumin, and curry powder.
  • Cutting board: Useful for preparing ingredients like onions, garlic, and ginger.
  • Sharp knife: Needed for chopping and mincing ingredients.

Preparing Keema Curry from Start to Finish

  • Meat Preparation Ground beef gets transformed into a flavor-packed adventure, releasing aromatic spices and creating a rich base for the curry.
  • Sauté Foundation Onions softly caramelize, blending with fragrant garlic and ginger to develop deep, complex flavor profiles that will elevate the entire dish.
  • Spice Symphony Curry powder, garam masala, and coriander dance together, creating a warm and vibrant backdrop that makes taste buds sing with excitement.
  • Tomato Fusion Tinned tomatoes and a splash of water merge with the spiced meat, creating a luscious sauce that simmers and develops incredible depth.
  • Pea Finale Bright green peas add a pop of color and sweet freshness, completing the curry with a delightful final touch that brings everything together in perfect harmony.

Spice Level Tips & Ingredient Swaps

  • Adjust the curry powder and garam masala to match your heat preference, from mild to fiery hot.
  • Replace beef with ground lamb, chicken, turkey, or plant-based crumbles for diverse flavor profiles.
  • Enhance nutrition by adding diced carrots, spinach, or chopped bell peppers during the cooking process.
  • Prepare the keema curry in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days, allowing flavors to develop and intensify.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 5

What Goes into Keema Curry

For Meat Base:
  • Minced Beef: Provides rich, hearty protein with deep flavor, choose lean cuts for a healthier dish.
  • Salt, Pepper, Cumin: Enhances meat's natural taste, creating a robust and aromatic foundation.
For Flavor Builders:
  • Onion, Garlic, Ginger: Creates an authentic Indian spice blend, select fresh ingredients for maximum punch.
  • Tomato Puree, Tinned Tomatoes: Adds tangy sweetness and silky texture, opt for ripe, high-quality varieties.
  • Curry Powder, Garam Masala, Coriander: Delivers complex, warming spices typical of Indian cuisine, choose freshly ground for intense aroma.
For Finishing Touch:
  • Ghee (or Oil): Provides rich, nutty undertone and helps achieve perfect cooking consistency.
  • Frozen Peas: Introduces bright color and sweet freshness, ensures quick and convenient vegetable integration.
  • Water: Helps create perfect sauce consistency and prevents burning.

Serving Keema Curry in Tasty Ways

  • Pair with Fragrant Rice: Serve this spicy keema curry over a bed of fluffy basmati or jasmine rice to soak up the delicious sauce.
  • Top with Fresh Garnishes: Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro, a dollop of cool yogurt, and a squeeze of lime to brighten the dish's rich flavors.
  • Create a Complete Meal: Accompany the curry with warm naan bread or crispy poppadoms for a satisfying and authentic Indian dining experience.
  • Make it a Feast: Add a simple cucumber salad or quick pickle on the side to provide a refreshing contrast to the warm, spicy curry.

Holding on to Keema for Another Meal

  • Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover keema curry in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool the dish completely before sealing to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
  • Freeze for Future Meals: Transfer curry to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Frozen keema curry stays delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Reheat with Care: Warm the curry gently in a pan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a splash of water if the sauce seems too thick. Avoid microwaving to keep the meat tender and sauce consistent.
  • Prep-Ahead Strategy: Chop ingredients and measure spices in advance. The curry tastes even better the next day as flavors intensify, making it perfect for meal prep and busy weeknights.
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Spicy Keema Curry Recipe

Spicy Keema Curry Recipe


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4.8 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Chicken keema curry offers a spicy, aromatic journey through Indian culinary traditions. Simmered with fragrant spices and tender ground meat, this dish invites you to savor rich, complex flavors that dance across your palate.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 500 g (1.1 lbs) minced beef (ground beef)
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper
  • ½ tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tbsps curry powder
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 2 tsps ghee (or neutral oil)
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp minced ginger
  • 1 tbsp tomato puree (paste)
  • 400 g (14 oz) tinned chopped tomatoes
  • 200 ml (7 fl oz) water
  • 140 g (1 cup) frozen peas
  • 2 tbsps fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped
  • Boiled rice

Instructions

  1. Meat Preparation: Heat a spacious skillet on high, strategically breaking down ground beef while seasoning with salt, black pepper, and ground cumin. Brown meat thoroughly for 5-6 minutes until completely cooked, then transfer to a separate plate using a perforated spoon.
  2. Aromatic Foundation: Reduce skillet temperature to medium-low, adding ghee or neutral oil. Sauté finely chopped onions until translucent, then introduce minced garlic, grated ginger, tomato puree, curry powder, garam masala, and ground coriander. Stir continuously for 90 seconds to develop intense spice characteristics without scorching.
  3. Sauce Development: Integrate crushed tomatoes and water, creating a harmonious sauce base. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer, reincorporating browned beef and allowing flavors to meld for 5-6 minutes.
  4. Final Fusion: Incorporate frozen green peas, cooking an additional 2 minutes to warm through while preserving their vibrant emerald color and delicate texture. Ensure sauce reaches a rich, consistent thickness that clings beautifully to the meat.

Notes

  • Meat Selection Matters: Choose lean ground beef with 80/20 fat ratio for optimal flavor and moisture, preventing dryness while ensuring rich taste.
  • Spice Bloom Technique: Toast spices briefly in hot oil to release essential oils, intensifying their aroma and deepening the curry’s complex flavor profile.
  • Simmer Slowly: Allow the curry to develop depth by maintaining a gentle simmer, which helps ingredients meld together and creates a more harmonious taste.
  • Garnish for Greatness: Finish the dish with fresh chopped cilantro, a squeeze of lime, or yogurt to add brightness and balance the rich, spicy flavors.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 400 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg
Michael Rivera

Michael Rivera

Co-Founder & Culinary Instructor

Expertise

  • Classic French Cuisine
  • Artisanal Bread Baking
  • Plant-Based Culinary Innovation
  • Recipe & Menu Development
  • Interactive Online Instruction

Education

The French Culinary Institute (now part of the International Culinary Center)

  • Program: Classic Culinary Arts
  • Focus: An intensive curriculum rooted in classical French techniques, artisanal bread production, and contemporary culinary methods.

Michael Rivera is a seasoned chef and culinary instructor based in San Francisco, CA. Trained in Classic Culinary Arts at The French Culinary Institute, he refined his skills in Michelin-starred kitchens, mastering classic French techniques and artisanal bread baking. 

Passionate about making gourmet methods accessible, Michael co-founded thatsmyhome.com to share his expertise through interactive online lessons and innovative, plant-based recipes. He loves blending traditional techniques with modern ideas, encouraging home cooks to enjoy the art of cooking in a relaxed, fun environment.

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