Keema Matar (Spiced Ground Beef and Peas)

Ground beef cooked with onion, ginger, garlic, tomato and warm spices, finished with green peas: an easy weeknight Indian dinner. Serves 4.

Naturally gluten-freeDairy-freeLow-carbHigh-proteinNo added sugar

Keema matar spiced ground beef with peas and cilantro with naan
  • Prep 10 min
  • Cook 30 min
  • Total 40 min
  • Yield 4 servings

Jump to: Ingredients | Instructions | Nutrition | Tips | Questions | Print recipe

Keema is spiced minced meat, cooked across India and Pakistan with lamb, goat or beef. With peas it becomes keema matar, a quick dinner to scoop up with naan or spoon over rice.

It is one of the easiest Indian dishes to make at home with everyday ingredients.

Ingredients

Keema

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef or lamb
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 cups frozen peas
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

For serving

  • Naan or rice, for serving

New to an ingredient? See Garam masala, Turmeric in our kitchen glossary.

Instructions

  1. Cook the aromatics. Heat the oil in a large skillet and cook the onion 6 to 8 minutes until golden. Add the garlic and ginger for 1 minute.
  2. Brown the meat. Add the beef and cook, breaking it up, until no longer pink. Stir in the spices for 1 minute.
  3. Simmer. Add the tomatoes and salt, cover and simmer 12 to 15 minutes, until the meat reaches 160°F and the sauce thickens.
  4. Add the peas. Stir in the peas and cook 3 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve with naan or rice.

Nutrition per serving (estimated)

570Calories
17 gCarbohydrates
5 gFiber
12 gNet carbs
34 gProtein
41 gFat

Estimated per serving, based on 4 servings, using USDA FoodData Central values for each ingredient. Net carbs are carbohydrates minus fiber. Optional ingredients, garnishes and anything served on the side are not included. Brands and portion sizes change the numbers.

Naturally gluten-freeDairy-freeLow-carbHigh-proteinNo added sugar

Tips

  • Use 85 to 90 percent lean meat so the dish is not greasy.
  • Add a diced potato with the tomatoes for keema aloo.

Questions about this recipe

What is keema?
Spiced minced meat, a staple of Indian and Pakistani home cooking.
Can I use ground turkey?
Yes; cook it to 165°F.

Serve it with

Build the whole dinner: sides, sauce and dessert ›

Pairs with: an off-dry Riesling or Gewürztraminer, or a cold lager. Wine pairing guide

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