Kheema(Ground Meat)
A flavorful Indian-style ground meat dish with aromatic spices, tomatoes, and a rich, spicy gravy, perfect for a hearty meal with chapatis or parathas.
Ingredients
- 2 medium onions
- 4 cloves garlic ⓘ
- 2 x 1-inch piece fresh ginger ⓘ
- 4 Tbsp vegetable oil ⓘ
- 1 stick cinnamon ⓘ
- 4 whole cloves ⓘ
- 4 black peppercorns ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
- 1 to 2 hot red peppers ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp ground coriander ⓘ
- 1 tsp ground cumin ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric ⓘ
- 1 large can chopped tomatoes ⓘ
- 2 lb ground chuck steak ⓘ
- 3/4 to 1 tsp salt ⓘ
- 1/2 cup water ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp water ⓘ
Instructions
- Place chopped onions, garlic, and ginger in a blender with 3 tablespoons water and blend to a smooth paste. Set aside.
- Heat vegetable oil in a 10 to 12-inch skillet over medium heat.
- Add cinnamon stick, cloves, black peppercorns, bay leaf, and red peppers to the hot oil.
- In about 10 seconds, when the peppers turn dark, add the onion-ginger-garlic paste from the blender, keeping your face averted.
- Fry for 10 minutes.
- Add a small amount of water if food sticks to the bottom of the skillet.
- Add ground coriander, ground cumin, and ground turmeric, then fry for another 5 minutes.
- Add chopped tomatoes and fry for another 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add ground chuck steak and salt, then fry on high heat for about 5 minutes.
- Break up all lumps in the meat and brown it as much as possible.
- Add 1/2 cup water and lemon juice.
- Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 60 minutes.
- Serve hot with chapatis or parathas.
Tips & Substitutions
For a deeper flavor, consider adding a pinch of garam masala or fresh cilantro during the last few minutes of cooking. If you prefer a milder dish, remove the seeds from the hot red peppers. You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground chuck steak to create a lighter version of this kheema dish.
Serving Suggestions
Serve kheema hot with chapatis or parathas for a delightful meal. It pairs beautifully with a side of Indian Cabbage or a simple cucumber salad to add freshness. For a complete Indian-style dinner, consider serving with basmati rice or a side of raita to balance the spices.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water if necessary to prevent sticking. You can also microwave in a covered dish for about 2-3 minutes until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Kheema(Ground Meat) contains roughly 1278 calories, with 39g protein, 199g carbohydrates, and 76g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (413% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and calcium (154% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2984mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different types of meat for kheema?
Yes, you can use ground lamb or chicken as alternatives to ground chuck steak. Each type of meat will impart a unique flavor, so feel free to experiment based on your preference.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
To make kheema vegetarian, substitute the ground meat with crumbled paneer or lentils. You can also add finely chopped mushrooms for a meat-like texture and enhance the flavors by adjusting the spices.
What can I serve with kheema?
Kheema is versatile and pairs well with various sides. You can serve it with naan, chapatis, or rice. For a refreshing contrast, serve alongside a cucumber salad or yogurt-based raita, which complements the spices beautifully.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).