Description
To understand why this home-cooked curry is loved across the globe, it helps to examine what makes the dish so unique. At its core, Ground Beef Kheema is a savory South Asian minced meat dish cooked down with onions, tomatoes, green peas, and warm whole and ground spices. Unlike liquid-heavy curries, a classic kheema preparation is typically dry or semi-dry, allowing the bold aromatic spice paste to cling directly to every bit of ground meat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 500 g (1 lb) ground beef
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
- 2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped
- 1 cup green peas, fresh or frozen
- 1 green chili, finely chopped, optional
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp salt, or to taste
- ½ cup water
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Heat the oil:
Heat oil in a large skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle for 20–30 seconds. - Cook the aromatics:
Add chopped onion and cook for 5–7 minutes, until softened and lightly golden. Add garlic, ginger, and green chili. Cook for another minute. - Add the beef:
Add the ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and no longer pink. - Add the spices:
Stir in ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili powder, and salt. Cook for 1–2 minutes to release the spices’ aroma. - Add tomatoes:
Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they soften and the oil begins to separate from the mixture. - Simmer:
Add water, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally. - Add peas:
Stir in the green peas and cook uncovered for another 5–7 minutes, until the peas are tender and the kheema reaches your preferred consistency. - Finish:
Sprinkle in garam masala and fresh cilantro. Add lemon juice and stir well. - Serve:
Serve hot with roti, naan, paratha, basmati rice, or a simple cucumber salad.
Notes
For a richer kheema, add 2–3 tablespoons of plain yogurt during the simmering stage. You can also add diced potatoes for a classic Aloo Kheema variation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: South Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: ~410 kcal
Keywords: Beef Keema Curry, Minced Beef Kheema, Indian Ground Beef Recipe, Keema Matar