Aloo Keema (Pakistani Ground Beef and Potato Curry) Recipe
Aloo Keema is a traditional Pakistani ground beef and potato curry that combines tender minced meat with soft potato cubes in a rich, aromatic blend of spices. This hearty dish is perfect for a comforting family meal, offering a perfect balance of spicy, savory, and aromatic flavors.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Pakistani
Meat and Vegetables
- 500 g ground beef (lean or full-fat)
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 3 tomatoes, sliced
- 2 small potatoes, cut into 2 cm (1 inch) cubes
Spices and Seasonings
- ¼ cup cooking oil
- 1 teaspoon ginger, freshly minced
- 1 teaspoon garlic, freshly minced
- 1 black cardamom pod
- 4 black peppercorns
- 3 cloves
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon coriander powder
- 2 teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
Garnish
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 2 green chilies, sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh coriander, chopped
- 1 tablespoon ginger, sliced
- Heat the Oil: In a large pan or skillet, heat ¼ cup of cooking oil over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking.
- Sauté Whole Spices: Add 1 black cardamom, 4 black peppercorns, and 3 cloves to the hot oil, frying for about 1 minute until aromatic to infuse the oil with their flavors.
- Add Onions and Aromatics: Add the finely diced onion, 1 teaspoon freshly minced ginger, and 1 teaspoon freshly minced garlic to the pan. Stir and cook until the onions become translucent and begin to brown slightly, about 5-7 minutes.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add 500 g ground beef to the pan, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned all over, about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add Spices: Mix in 1 teaspoon red chili powder, 1 ¼ teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons coriander powder, 2 teaspoons cumin powder, and ½ teaspoon turmeric powder. Stir well to evenly coat the meat with the spices, cooking for 2 more minutes to let the flavors develop.
- Add Tomatoes: Add the 3 sliced tomatoes, cooking until they soften and break down into a sauce, about 5-6 minutes.
- Add Potatoes and Simmer: Incorporate the 2 cm cubed potatoes into the pan. Add 1 cup of water or enough to just cover the mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer gently for 20-25 minutes until potatoes are tender and the curry thickens.
- Adjust Seasoning and Garnish: Once potatoes are cooked through, sprinkle 1 teaspoon garam masala over the curry and stir gently. Add the sliced green chilies, chopped fresh coriander, and sliced ginger. Cook an additional 2 minutes uncovered to meld the flavors.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve hot with steamed rice or flatbreads such as roti or naan.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef for a lighter dish or full-fat for richer flavor.
- Adjust the red chili powder and green chilies to modify spiciness to your taste.
- You can substitute potatoes with sweet potatoes or add peas for variation.
- Cooking the whole spices in oil initially enhances the depth of flavor.
- Make sure to cover and simmer to properly cook the potatoes and meld the spices.
- This dish pairs well with basmati rice or traditional Pakistani breads like chapati or naan.
Keywords: Aloo Keema, Pakistani curry, ground beef curry, potato curry, spicy beef mince, traditional Pakistani recipe, comfort food