Indian Ground Beef Curry

Indian ground beef curry is a great way to switch up a pound of ground meat! With warm Indian spices, potatoes, onions, and peas, it’s a whole meal in a bowl! Serve with Basmati rice, roti or naan bread, plain yogurt and fresh cilantro. I’ve also included a recipe for turning the tasty filling into samosas.

One of the countries we visited on our honeymoon was Indian. Both Spencer and I love Indian cuisine, so this easy and versatile dish is great for busy nights when we want something different. (This post was originally published July 3, 2011)

We spent over two weeks traveling around India, and found very few places that served beef. Even the fast food restaurant, Wimpy’s, serves “lamb burgers” instead of hamburgers! But because ground beef is easier and cheaper to find in the United States, I mostly use beef! But lamb is delicious as well. 

What is curry powder?

Curry powder is a blend of spices. The spices can vary, but traditional ingredients will often include cumin, ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, cardamom, fenugreek, chiles, and turmeric which gives it its characteristic yellow color. All these spices are kept in a stainless steel container called a Masala Dabba, so that the curry blend can be varied depending on the dish.

The blends can vary from mild to very hot, like Madras curry powder or vindaloo. If you’re new to cooking with curry powder, start with a mild blend. Most traditional Indian dishes will use whole spices and grind them fresh. 

Ingredients for curried ground beef

Curry powder can vary in both spice and heat levels. I’ve made this with mild and medium curry powder with a different result each time. Keep in mind your family’s tolerance for heat. This easy ground beef curry recipe gives flavor, and mild to medium heat. If the curried beef isn’t spicy enough for you, add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper.

• lean ground beef  (ground turkey or lamb)
• russet or yukon gold potatoes
• onion
• green peas
• coconut oil, ghee or light olive oil
• fresh ginger
• curry powder
• garlic 
• kosher salt
• chicken stock or beef stock
• bay leaf
• cumin seeds
• Garam masala
• For more heat, add 1 or 2 red peppers (optional)

How to make simple ground beef curry

• Chop potatoes into 1/2″ cubes and thinly sliced onions.
• Over medium heat add coconut oil or ghee and stir fry onions for 2-3 minutes. 

• Add potatoes and continue cooking another 5 minutes. 

• Next add the spices; ginger, chile, curry powder, garlic, garam masala, and ground beef.

• Continue stirring, breaking up ground beef mixture and cook another 7-8 minutes over medium low heat or until meat is brown and cooked through.

• Add bay leaf, 1/2 cup broth and peas and cook another 3-5 minutes until meat is almost dry and potatoes are tender.

• Serve with rice, naan bread or roti and yogurt. If you can’t find roti or naan bread, substitute warm flour tortillas.

• Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator

Ground beef samosas

This ground beef mixture can also be used to fill samosas, which make a nice portable lunch or snack.

To make eight samosas you’ll need:

• 2 2/3 cups curried beef recipe above.
• Pie dough rolled 1/8″ thick and cut into 2, 10 inch rounds.
• 1 egg lightly beaten
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cut each circle into quarters for 8 wedges.
• Fill 1/2 of each wedge with 1/3 cup curried meat.
• Brush 2 sides of wedge with egg wash, fold over edges to form a triangle, press to seal.
• Brush top of wedge with egg wash. Repeat with remaining wedges.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Looking for more curry dishes?

Thai Yellow Chicken Curry

Curried Coconut Shrimp Soup

Coronation Chicken Salad

Indian Onion Fritters