Keema curry, a flavorful and aromatic dish, has its roots deep in South Asian cuisine, particularly popular in Indian and Pakistani households.
This dish is a celebration of minced meat, bursting with spices and herbs, creating a symphony of flavors that dance on your taste buds. While traditionally made with minced lamb or goat meat, it can also be prepared with beef, chicken, or even plant-based alternatives for a vegetarian twist.
The name “keema” itself refers to minced or ground meat, which forms the heart of this dish. What makes keema curry so enticing is its rich blend of spices like turmeric, chilli powder, coriander, and cumin, each adding its unique depth and warmth to the dish.
These spices not only infuse the meat with robust flavor but also lend vibrant colors to the curry, making it visually appealing.
Despite its exotic flavors, keema curry is surprisingly simple to prepare, making it an ideal choice for both novice and seasoned cooks alike.
With just a handful of ingredients and straightforward instructions, you can recreate the authentic taste of this beloved dish right in your own kitchen. So, whether you’re craving a comforting meal or hosting a dinner party, keema curry is sure to impress with its tantalizing aroma and mouthwatering taste.
Expert Tip: Opt for lean minced meat with minimal fat content to ensure a healthier and less greasy keema curry.
Minced Meat Keema: Minced meat provides a hearty and satisfying texture. Its versatility allows for various meat options, including lamb, goat, beef, or chicken, catering to different dietary preferences.
Oil: Oil is essential for cooking the onions and spices, imparting richness and flavor to the curry.
Onion Red: Red onions add sweetness and depth to the curry base, enhancing its overall flavor profile.
Tomatoes: Tomatoes contribute acidity and tanginess, balancing the spices and lending a luscious texture to the curry.
Green Chillies: Green chillies provide heat and a subtle peppery flavor, adding a kick to the dish.
Ginger Paste: Ginger paste infuses the curry with a warm, spicy note and aromatic undertones.
Garlic Paste: Garlic paste adds depth and pungency to the dish, enhancing its savory profile.
Salt: Salt brings out the natural flavors of the ingredients, harmonizing the taste of the curry.
Turmeric Powder (Haldi): Turmeric powder imparts a vibrant yellow hue to the curry while adding earthy undertones and health benefits.
Chilli Powder: Chilli powder adds heat and intensity, elevating the spiciness of the curry according to personal preference.
Coriander Powder: Coriander powder contributes a citrusy, slightly sweet flavor, complementing the other spices in the curry.
Cumin Powder: Cumin powder offers a warm, nutty flavor with earthy undertones, enhancing the overall aroma of the dish.
Kashmiri Chilli: Kashmiri chilli powder adds vibrant red color and mild heat to the curry without overpowering the other flavors.
Dried Fenugreek Leaves (Methi): Dried fenugreek leaves impart a distinctive aroma and slightly bitter taste, enhancing the complexity of the curry.
Coriander: Fresh coriander leaves add freshness and brightness to the dish, garnishing it with vibrant green hues and a hint of citrus.
Expert Tip: Toasting the spices in the hot oil before adding the meat and other ingredients enhances their flavor and aroma.
Fresh Naan Bread: Warm, pillowy naan bread pairs perfectly with keema curry, allowing you to scoop up every last bit of flavorful sauce. You can either make your own naan bread or purchase it from a local bakery or grocery store.
Steamed Rice: Fluffy steamed rice serves as a classic accompaniment to keema curry, providing a neutral base that allows the flavors of the curry to shine. Basmati rice, with its fragrant aroma and delicate texture, is an excellent choice.
Side Salad: A crisp, refreshing side salad adds a burst of freshness to your meal and helps balance out the richness of the curry. Consider tossing together some mixed greens, cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, and a drizzle of lemon vinaigrette.
Raita: Cool and creamy raita, made with yogurt, cucumber, mint, and spices, offers a refreshing contrast to the bold flavors of the keema curry. Its soothing qualities help to temper the heat of the dish, making it more enjoyable for those with milder palates.
Lemon Wedges: Squeeze a wedge of fresh lemon over the keema curry just before serving to brighten up the flavors and add a zesty kick. The acidity of the lemon enhances the overall taste of the dish, bringing a touch of brightness to each bite.
Garnish with Fresh Coriander: Sprinkle some freshly chopped coriander leaves over the keema curry as a final garnish. Not only does it add a pop of color to the dish, but it also imparts a burst of fresh herbal flavor, elevating the overall presentation.
Expert Tip: Feel free to adjust the amount of chilli powder and green chillies according to your preference for heat.
Absolutely! While traditional keema curry is made with minced lamb or goat meat, you can easily substitute it with minced beef, chicken, or even plant-based alternatives like tofu or lentils to suit your preferences.
The level of spiciness in keema curry can be adjusted according to your taste preferences. This recipe includes green chillies, chilli powder, and Kashmiri chilli powder for heat, but you can reduce or omit these ingredients if you prefer a milder version of the dish.
Yes, keema curry actually tastes even better when made ahead of time as the flavors have time to meld together. You can prepare it up to a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.
Absolutely! Keema curry freezes well, making it a convenient option for meal prep. Allow the curry to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Keema curry pairs beautifully with a variety of sides, including naan bread, steamed rice, side salads, and raita. These accompaniments help balance out the richness of the curry and enhance the overall dining experience.
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Latest comments (26)
Hiya! Should I use beef or lamb mince please? Many thanks!
Hey there! For this recipe, I recommend using lamb mince for a delicious and authentic flavour.
I made this your way and it came out perfect it woz very tasty I cook it different but now I’ve cooked it your way I love it thank you xx
I’m thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the recipe! It’s wonderful that you gave it a try and liked the results. If you ever have more recipes to explore, feel free to check out my blog.
Hi Nabeela,
I made this last night and it was soooo good! Thanks for the recipe.
Tess
Hi Tess, I’m thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the recipe! It’s always wonderful when a dish turns out delicious. If you have any more questions or if you’d like to explore more recipes, feel free to ask. 🙂
Absolutely delicious! Now save as “BEST Keema Recipe”!
Thank you so much for your kind words 🙂
Peas? Whole Kashmiri chilli? Powder? Listed in instructions and not contents. Quite a simplified recipe.
Very simple indeed but tastes amazing 🙂
So good! This recipe is so quick and easy without sacrificing taste. It’s packed with flavor and the perfect meal on a cold day.
Thank you so much for trying out my keema curry recipe! I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed it and found it quick and easy to make. I completely agree that it’s a great meal for a cold day – there’s something so comforting about a warm and flavourful curry. Thanks again for taking the time to share your positive feedback, it means a lot to me!
Yum whether it’s freezing – this recipe warms the heart and soul – who needs central heating – I could eat this all the time.
Thank you for your lovely comment! I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed the recipe and that it brought some warmth to your day. I agree, there’s nothing quite like a comforting and delicious dish like this one, especially during the colder months. Thanks again for trying out the recipe, and I hope you get to enjoy it again soon!
Hi Nabeela, I make this all the time! But I buy the mini naan breads from either Asda or Tesco, pop them in the toaster, then cut them open at the top and fill them with the Keema mince, then pop on a garnish of coriander…. easy eats! All my family love it and it’s so quick and easy!
Hey, I also do the same for my kids. It’s great for adults and kids alike. Thanks for using my recipe 🙂
Hi Nabeela I love my curries will this taste just like a takeaway also usually the curries we order are normally not as dense as this would I add more water to this can I use tin chopped tomatoes instead of fresh.
Thank you
Hi Andrew,
This will taste better than a takeaway :). The ones in the takeaway have more of a curry sauce. If you like it saucier then you can add more water. Yes, you can use chopped canned tomatoes instead of fresh ones. 🙂
Have just made this tonight for me and my son have also put it in the fridge to let the spices infuse bought some chapattis from my lovely Asian store.
I’m glad you enjoyed my recipe 🙂
Hi Nabeela. I’m one of those people to whom coriander taste like soap. Can I just leave it out or can you suggest an alternative? Thanks
Hi Vee, yes you can leave the coriander out and it will still taste delicious. Some people possess a particular olfactory receptor gene variant that enables them to detect aldehydes, hence the soap type taste. 🙂