Keema Matar (Minced Lamb with Peas)

Keema matar brings together finely minced lamb, sweet green peas and a warmly spiced onion-tomato masala in a curry that is hearty without feeling heavy. The character of the dish comes from properly browning the mince and cooking the tomato down until the sauce turns thick, savoury and glossy, with cumin, coriander, chilli and garam masala giving depth rather than excessive heat. A final lift of lemon and fresh coriander keeps the richness in check. Serve it with steamed rice for a simple dinner, or scoop it up with flatbreads for a more informal meal.
Cuisine style Indian home-style curry
Spice level Medium
Cooking style One-pot cooking • Meal prep friendly • Freezer-friendly
Time commitment Under 1 hour

Why this recipe works

  • Layered masala: Cooking the onions until golden, then blooming the spices with ginger and garlic, builds a rounded base before the lamb goes in.
  • Rich savoury depth: Browning the minced lamb first concentrates flavour and helps the curry finish thick rather than watery.
  • Fresh finish: Tomato, lemon and fresh coriander cut through the richness of the lamb and ghee.

Get the most out of this recipe

Adjust the heat

  • For a milder curry: Swap the hot chilli powder for smoked paprika, or use a smaller amount of chilli and adjust at the end.
  • For more heat: Use a hotter chilli powder or add a little extra when the ground spices are bloomed in the ghee.
  • Balance the spice: A squeeze of lemon at the end sharpens the curry and keeps the heat from tasting flat.

Texture tips

  • For a drier keema: Simmer uncovered near the end, stirring often, until the mince is glossy and the masala clings to it.
  • For a looser curry: Add a splash of water towards the end and warm through gently until the texture suits rice or flatbreads.
  • Avoid a watery finish: Let the liquid from the lamb mostly evaporate before adding the tomato so the masala can thicken properly.

Ingredient notes

  • Use good minced lamb: Lamb with some fat gives a richer, more rounded keema; very lean mince can taste drier.
  • Ripe tomatoes matter: Ripe tomatoes grate easily and cook down into a sweeter, fuller masala.
  • Pea choice: Fresh or frozen peas both work well; frozen peas can go straight into the pan and simmer until tender.

Make-ahead tips

  • Good for meal prep: Keema matar keeps well in the fridge for several days and reheats neatly with a splash of water.
  • Freeze after cooking: Cool completely, freeze in sealed portions, then defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating until piping hot.
  • Reheat gently: Warm in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, so the mince heats evenly without drying out.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Finely chop the onion. Peel and finely grate the ginger, and finely grate or crush the garlic.
  2. Heat the ghee in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until soft and turning golden at the edges.
  3. Stir in the ginger and garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the ground cumin, ground coriander and hot chili powder, and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
  4. Add the minced lamb and turn the heat up to medium-high. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and any liquid has mostly evaporated.
  5. Grate the tomatoes on the coarse side of a grater (discard the skins), then stir the tomato pulp into the pan. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes until thick, darker in colour, and the ghee begins to separate at the edges.
  6. Stir in the green peas and 150 ml water, then bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peas are tender and the keema is rich and thick.
  7. Turn the heat to low and stir in the garam masala. Take off the heat, then finely chop the fresh coriander and stir most of it through.
  8. Squeeze in the lemon juice to taste and adjust the consistency with a splash of water if needed. Serve hot, topped with the remaining coriander.

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Recipe notes

Serving suggestions

This recipe pairs well with:

Steamed rice Flatbreads

Tips

  • For a deeper, sweeter masala, take your time with the onions and let them go properly golden before adding the ginger and garlic.
  • If you prefer a drier keema, simmer uncovered for the last few minutes, stirring often so it does not catch.
  • If serving to pregnant people, young children, older adults, or anyone immunocompromised, make sure the lamb is cooked until piping hot throughout.

Substitutions

  • Replace ghee with olive oil for a lighter finish.
  • Replace hot chili powder with smoked paprika for a milder, smokier curry.
  • Replace lemon with lime for a sharper citrus note.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a saucepan over medium-low with a splash of water, stirring until piping hot; freeze for up to 2 months and defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.

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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 3 servings
  • Total time: 45min (25min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: Indian
  • Allergens:
    Milk
Beginner friendly With serving suggestions One pot Freezer friendly

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