Aloo Keema
Every recipe I share holds great value in my heart and my kitchen! Aloo keema recipe or potato meat curry is no exception. Today, I will guide you on how to make authentic Pakistani-style aloo keema curry. Follow my step-by-step guide to make this recipe. Moreover, if you are new to cooking or a pro looking to try aloo keema with a new recipe, this is just for you.
Aloo keema, or ground beef and potato meat curry, is still one of my go-to comfort foods! Over time, and after many experiments, I have developed a one-pot recipe, which is easy to follow but just as delicious as my mother used to make!
About Aloo Keema
Aloo keema is made throughout the Asian subcontinent. This is a beloved dish from kitchens in Northern India to homes in Pakistan.
It is also eaten in a variety of ways. Additionally, it can be made with a thick sauce like gravy or kept dry. You can make it the way you like it. There’s not much else that can beat this flavorful meal!
Aloo keema. A curry made of soft potatoes and juicy, tender ground beef. The two-star ingredients, potatoes, and ground meat, are so simple and abundant, yet they form a masterpiece, making this dish even more wonderful!
Today, it is a favorite across many homes, and since it is a household name, there can be many different versions of this delicious Indian keema recipe! However you choose to make it, the hearty ground meat and the aromatic spices combined with the soft potatoes make this a recipe to remember!
Aloo keema recipe is one of the easiest one-pot recipes, served with soft naan or a chapati. Some of my related ground meat recipes you may like Keema matar, Shami kebab, Kachay keemay ke kebab, Keema pulao.
Reasons to love this recipe
Here are some more reasons you and your family will love this Aloo Keema recipe:
- No matter the occasion, your guests will love this potato and minced meat curry. Kids also like it.
- You can also change the vegetables you add. Substitute potatoes with peas, onions, capsicum/bell peppers, or even a mixture of vegetables.
- You cannot mess this up! It’s a straightforward method using basic ingredients. No matter what you do, the result will be delicious!
- The ingredient list is pretty short. This basic recipe uses basic ingredients, which is another reason it’s a top comfort food.
- There’s a lot you can do with leftovers (not that you will have any!). More on that later.
Ingredients
The best thing about this recipe: the ease of the process! You only need a few simple ingredients and the humble potato to create this culinary delight! Also, check out my post on basic pantry items every kitchen must have.
- Oil: You can use any neutral oil of your choice. Corn, vegetable, canola, or sunflower oil work best.
- Onions: Onions form the base of almost all Asian curries and gravies. They give the gravy both body and a slight sweetness that helps balance the heat of the spices.
- Ginger and garlic paste: A staple for most Pakistani or Indian curries, ginger and garlic pastes add a delicious aroma and help to remove any meaty smells. It is also a heart-healthy ingredient.
- Ground beef/Minced beef: The dish’s star, ground or minced beef adds a unique, hearty, and earthy flavor. It pairs exceptionally well with the potatoes’ bland flavor and the aromatic heat from the spices.
- Potatoes/Aloo: Peel and dice into small, bite-size pieces. You can’t have Aloo keema without aloos! The potatoes make up the core of this dish.
- Tomato: The tomato adds richness and tanginess to the gravy. Some people also like to add yogurt for added depth. But in my recipe, I use only tomato.
- Salt: to taste
- Turmeric powder (haldi): Turmeric is a staple spice in all Asian dishes. It has awesome antibiotic properties, making it essential for a healthy gut. It also adds a brilliant yellow/mustard color to any gravy.
- Coriander powder (dhaniya): Another staple ingredient for most Asian curries and gravies.
- Red chili powder: Red chili powder adds heat to the gravy.
- A few sprigs of fresh coriander are needed for plating and presentation.
- Green Chilies: for presentation purposes and also to add a spicy kick.
- Garam masala powder: Garam masala, or allspice powder, is sprinkled on top of the curry at the end of cooking for its unique aroma.
For quantities, check the recipe card below.
Instructions
Now, let’s get down to business. Here’s the recipe for delicious Pakistani Aloo keema:
1. Sautéing the Onions:
- Preheat the oil in the large pan or wok and keep the flame on medium.
- Add the sliced onions and sauté over medium-low heat until golden brown.
- Stir continuously to ensure even browning.
2. Introducing the Ground meat:
- Once the onions are caramelized, add the minced beef and ginger-garlic paste. Season with salt (approximately 1 teaspoon).
- Sauté the mixture until the beef changes color and releases its aroma, maintaining a medium-low flame.
3. Spice Infusion:
- Next, add the cubed tomato, coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and half a cup of water to the pan.
- Mix well and cover, allowing the mixture to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the water evaporates, the spices are cooked, and the onions break down.
- The keema should be properly cooked and reduced. You should be able to see the oil on the sides of the keema.
4. Adding the Potatoes:
- Once the mixture is thoroughly cooked, add the diced potatoes to the pan along with one cup of water.
- Cover the pan and simmer over medium-low heat for approximately 25 minutes or until the potatoes are tender and thoroughly cooked.
5. Final Touches
- After 25 minutes, when the potatoes are cooked through, add the slit green chilies, fresh coriander leaves, and garam masala powder. Cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes to enhance the dish’s flavors.
- Next, turn off the heat and let the Aloo Keema sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- If desired, serve the Aloo Keema hot, garnished with additional coriander leaves and green chilies.
Hint: When sauteing the ground meat, be patient and let it fry completely and change color, otherwise the meat could be left with a strong odor.
How to serve
Aloo Keema being a family favorite in most Pakistani homes, can be served in various ways so you can serve it with almost any form of carbs! The hot favorites are roti, chapaati, or a piping hot Tandoori naan.
But, if you like Aloo keema with a runny consistency, you can serve it with boiled white Basmati rice. It pairs well with everything!
Another must-have side with aloo keema curry is chutney! Serve it with a tangy, spicy mint, coriander, and green chili chutney. You could also opt for a refreshing yogurt raita. My family loves the spicy mint chutney!
Add a simple green salad consisting of cucumbers, onions, lettuce, or even pickled onion to add some crunch.
Pro Tips
- Choose the freshest meat available for the recipe. The ground meat should be a bright pink color and lean. Don’t buy meat which has a high-fat content.
- When adding the potatoes, ensure the meat is properly reduced, and you can see the oil on the sides of the pan.
- If your minced meat is frozen, don’t worry. Follow the steps of the recipe, and when adding the ground meat, add an extra 1/2 cup of water, cover the pan, and let it cook.
- Try to cut the potatoes into even-sized pieces because they will cook evenly, too.
Substitution
Although my family and I prefer ground beef in this aloo keema, if you want to substitute beef for mutton, feel free to do so! The cooking time may vary, as mutton cooks quicker than beef.
You could use chicken too, but beware: chicken will not give you that hearty, earthy flavor.
You can also use different vegetables. If you don’t like spuds (shocking to me!), you can use peas, French beans, bell peppers, cauliflower, or even a medley of mixed vegetables instead.
Leftovers
Do you know when you make something and actually WANT to have some leftovers for the next day?
This is one of those meals!
There’s so much you can do with leftover aloo keema:
- Make Sandwiches: Aloo keema makes a great sandwich filling. Mash the potatoes, add some mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, cheese, and sandwich between toasted bread! Delicious!
- Make a Pulao: Add some rice to the aloo keema and make a pilaf/pulao. Cook the keema with the rice, or boil the rice and layer the aloo keema in between. Both ways make a delicious aloo keema pulao. Serve it with some yogurt raita.
- Make Desi Pasta: Boil pasta of your choice, make a simple onion and tomato sauce, add the keema, and combine with the boiled pasta.
My fool-proof recipe will blow you away. I can guarantee that your whole family will love this, even your fussy toddler!
Equipment
The basic equipment that I have used to make this Aloo Keema recipe are as follows:
- Wok or Karahi: A deep, wide pan.
- Cutting Board and Knife: to chop vegetables
- Wooden or Metal Spoon: For stirring and sautéing
- Spatula: for turning and stirring
- Grater (optional): to grate the ginger and garlic
I have also compiled a handy list of all the basic kitchen equipment that you need, so if you are a student in a foreign country, a new couple, or you just moved abroad, follow this post: basic kitchen pantry items to find out more about every kitchen must have item.
FAQs
Yes and no. Aloo keema cannot be frozen because the potatoes don’t do well in the freezer. They tend to become soggy and fall apart. You can, however, cook the keema and freeze it before adding the potatoes. When making aloo keema, just let it thaw, add the cubed potatoes, and cook till they are soft.
When cooking any meat, it’s a good idea to fry it fully before adding anything else. You must saute the meat with the onions and ginger-garlic paste for at least 5-7 minutes. This helps to eliminate any odors. Also, add a generous amount of the ginger-garlic paste.
Absolutely! Aloo keema is a great recipe if you want to reduce the amount of oil you cook with. You cannot eliminate the oil, but you can reduce it considerably. Also, consider reducing the amount of red chili powder you add.
