Veena Azmanov

Cake Artist and Food Enthusiast

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Beef Mince Curry with Peas aka Kheema Mattar Masala

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Indian Beef Mince Curry with Peas Recipe – Kheema Mattar Masala

This beef mince curry is an Indian classic made with peas. Very similar to a chili with mincemeat and beans but here we use frozen peas instead. This simple, easy and effortless mincemeat recipe is made using popular curry powder and garam masala which means you do not need a full stocked Indian Pantry.

Pinterest Optimized Image for Beef Mince Curry with Peas - This kheema mattar masala is a classic Indian meat dish.

Beef Mince Curry with Peas – Kheema Mattar Masala.

One of my absolute favorite things as a kid was mincemeat and my mom never failed to create wonderful Indian as well as non-Indian dishes for us such as this beef mince curry.

If you love Indian food and have been to an Indian restaurant you probably saw this dish on the menu often under the name Kheema Mattar Masala.  Kheem is mincemeat”, ‘mattar’ means green peas” and masala meaning spice”. So basically this is a mincemeat with peas cooked in Indian spices.

To make this recipe authentic would mean to add all spices individually. I want to make this recipe accessible to my friends who love Indian food so instead of using my Indian spice rack I chose to use what is most popularly found to everyone in most supermarkets Curry Powder and Garam Masala. Now I spoke at length about what I think is the right blend for garam masala, what you should look for when buying garam masala and I have even given you my recipe for homemade garam masala spice mix.  Soon I will give you my recipe for homemade curry powder spice mix and I think you will love it.

A top view of the Kheema Mattar Masala Recipe showing the pretty red color from the sweet paprika - Mince Meat Curry

Indian Beef Mince Curry with Peas aka Kheema Mattar Masala.

Let’s talk ingredients and substitutes for this beef mince curry with peas aka kheema mattar masala (Save/Pin for later)

  • Beef mince – Ideally you can use any mincemeat. I have tried it with turkey, lamb, and chicken as well. They all taste delicious but my favorite is still the beef mince, maybe because I grew up eating beef mince curry. If you do use chicken I highly recommend using chicken thigh mincemeat or cooking it for much less time.
  • Onion – I use red onion because I like the little sweetness it adds when caramelized. But you can use any onion and it will taste just fine
  • Ginger/garlic – I highly recommend mincing or grating these as it really blends well in the sauce plus no one likes to bite into a piece of ginger or garlic.
  • Curry Powder – In previous recipes we’ve discussed this at length. There are many good brands that have a nice blend of curry powder. Look for one that suits your level of spice. They do come in mild, spicy and hot!.
  • Paprika – I love adding sweet paprika when I cannot add cayenne or hot paprika because my kids are small. It really gives the curry a nice rich color. If you love spicy food go ahead and add cayenne or chilly powder and you will love it.
  • Fenugreek powder – this is a dried herb with a slightly bitter taste and is not commonly found so don’t worry too much and feel free to avoid it. It’s a lovely herb that complements meat dishes really well.

Today I have served this mince meat curry with peas (kheema mattar masala) with my Spiced Cilantro Potatoes and homemade fresh chapati. It’s one of our favorite meals.

A top view of the table showing three dishes - Spice Potatoes, Indian Chapati and this Beef Mince Curry with Peas

Indian Beef Mice Curry with Peas aka Kheema Mattar Masala.

 

Recipe Indian Beef Mince Curry with Peas – Kheema Mattar Masala (Save/Pin)

Tools

Ingredients

  • Mince beef – 500 grams (1 lbs)
  • Frozen peas – 1 cups
  • Cooking oil – 2 tbsp
  • Red onion – 1 medium (1 cup chopped)
  • Garlic –  1 tsp minced
  • Ginger – 1 tsp grated
  • Tomatoes – 1 large – (1 cup chopped)
  • Bay leaves – 2 large
  • Curry powder – 1 tbsp
  • Sweet paprika – 1 tsp (sweet or hot)
  • Garam masala – 1/2 tsp
  • Fenugreek powder – 1/2 tsp (optional)
  • Lemon juice – 1 tbsp
  • Cilantro or parsley – 1 cup chopped

Method

Prepare

  • Chop onions fine.
  • Grate the ginger and mince the garlic.
  • Add one cup water to the minced beef

Saute

  • Saute onion in the oil over medium heat for two minutes until translucent.
  • Add garlic, ginger and bay leave – Saute another minute or two.
  • Add curry powder, paprika, fenugreek powder and tomatoes – saute well for 2 to 3 mins on low until fragrant and the oil separates from the mixture.
  • Next, add the beef mince and frozen peas and stir well for 2 to 3 minutes
  • Season with salt and pepper
  • Add half the fresh herbs and bring to a boil.
  • Lower the heat and simmer covered for 15 minutes on medium low until you see the oil separates from the mince.
  • Lastly, add lemon juice.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning.
  • Check consistency  – add water if you need more gravy or cook on medium until excess water is evaporated.
  • Enjoy!

Don’t forget to save this recipe on Pinterest for later.
You can find a collection of my tutorials and recipes here on Pinterest.

A Pinterest Optimized Image for this Classic Beef Mince Curry with Peas aka Kheema Mattar Masala made with curry powder and garam masala

Beef Mince Curry with Peas aka Kheema Mattar Masala.

This beef mince curry is an Indian classic made with peas. Very similar to a chili with mince meat and beans but here we use frozen peas instead. This simple, easy and effortless mince meat recipe is made using popular curry powder and garam masala which means you do not need a full stocked Indian Pantry.

Indian Beef Mince Curry aka Kheema Mattar Masala

This beef mince curry is an Indian classic made with peas. Very similar to a chili with mincemeat and beans but here we use frozen peas instead. This simple, easy and effortless mincemeat recipe is made using popular curry powder and garam masala which means you do not need a full stocked Indian Pantry. 
 
5 from 17 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: Beef Mince Curry, Kheema Mattar Masala
Adjust Servings Here: 6 servings
Calories: 108kcal
Author: Veena Azmanov
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

  • 500 grams Minced beef
  • 1 cup Frozen peas
  • 2 tbsp Cooking oil
  • 1 Red onion chopped
  • 1 tsp Garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Ginger grated
  • 1 Tomatoes large, chopped
  • 2 Bay leaves large
  • 1 tbsp Curry powder
  • 1 tsp Sweet paprika sweet or hot
  • 1/2 tsp Garam masala (my homemade recipe)
  • 1/2 tsp Fenugreek powder optional
  • 1 tbsp Lemon juice
  • 1 cup Cilantro or parsley chopped
Metric - US customary

Instructions

Prepare

  • Chop onions fine.
  • Grate the ginger and mince the garlic.
  • Add one cup water to the minced beef

Saute

  • Saute onion in the oil over medium heat for two minutes until translucent.
  • Add garlic, ginger and bay leave - Saute another minute or two.
  • Add curry powder, paprika, fenugreek powder and tomatoes - saute well for 2 to 3 mins on low until fragrant and the oil separates from the mixture.
  • Next, add the beef mince and frozen peas - stir well for 2 to 3 minutes
  • Season with salt and pepper
  • Add half the fresh herbs and bring to a boil.
  • Lower the heat and simmer covered for 15 minutes on medium low until you see the oil separates from the mince.
  • Lastly, add lemon juice.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning.
  • Check consistency  - add water if you need more gravy or cook on medium until excess water is evaporated.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Serving: 100g | Calories: 108kcal | Carbohydrates: 3.8g | Protein: 10.8g | Fat: 5.8g | Saturated Fat: 1.7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 46mg | Potassium: 0mg | Fiber: 1.5g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 0% | Vitamin C: 0% | Calcium: 0% | Iron: 0%
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
Tried this recipe?Mention @veenaazmanov or tag #veenaazmanov!

Do you love Indian Food?

Well then you must check out some of my other Indian recipes from slow cooked curries to quick and easy as well as Indian Biryani and desserts

Modern Indian Recipes from Curries to rice and desserts

A Collection of Modern Indian Recipes by Veena Azmanov

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Comments

  2. I’d certainly like to become better acquainted with Indian recipes. We love spicy food so curries would be right up our alley. And I love making homemade spice combinations. I’m going to have to try yours. Oh!! And I’d have to have some of our homemade flatbread to go along with this.

    Reply

  3. I love that this is so approachable! I have never heard of using mince meat in a curry but I’m so happy to discover that you can. I want to make your homemade garam masala recipe too!

    Reply

  4. Oh this is great! And thank you for sharing your homemade gram masala, too! I have some that’s store bought but I love making my own spice mixtures. Will have to make it to try this dish!

    Reply

  5. Veena – my mouth is watering over this dish. As a yank, I can imagine it over a bed of rice or noodles, or scooping it up with some warm naan — probably none of those things are actually what you’d serve it with, but that’s immediately where my brain goes.

    Reply

    • Thank you Lisa. I do love this with crusty baguette bread.. Nothing beats the sauce all soaked in that bread. But the others work just as well. Steamed rice is one fav and easiest to accomplish for me.

      Reply

  9. I love the spices in this dish! I’ve never actually had fenugreek powder — I don’t think I’ve even seen it! Good to know it can be omitted. But now I’m curious to try it.

    Reply

  10. This looks delicious Veena! We love Indian food and though we’ve tried cooking it at home before, it’s not the same (i.e. we’re not that good at it LOL!). I think we’ll have tremendous success with your recipe though. Apart from 1 or 2 ingredients I think we have everything else. Can’t wait to try!

    Reply

    • Thanks Jolina.. I think you will love my recipes. They are made with my friend’s limited stocked pantry (not my) in mind and I know they have limited Indian spices so this works for them. Let me know if you try it. Would love to know what you think.

      Reply

      • Hi, I am new to your recipe’s and I am enjoying them very much. My favorite Indian Restaraunt closed due to new construction and I lost contact where they went or at least where their marvelous chef went. He used to make me this wounderful spinach dish with potatoes, even when it wasn’t on the menue. He absolutley had me spoiled with his fresh Naan as soon as I sat down and this wounderful spinach dish. Since I can not find where he went, would you have any idea what the dish was called and the recipe’. Thanks in advance, Karen

        Reply

        • Hey Karen. I think you probably made using a version of the spinach curry with tofu but with potatoes instead. Usually, you would find it in restaurants as Saag Paneer. Its a green spinach based sauce with fried Indian cottage cheese squares which looks very similar to tofu. I do have a spinach tofu recipe coming up soon. Perhaps that might work.

          Reply

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