Pakistani Beef Curry and Curry Powder Recipes

This has been a family favorite recipe for us (with my kids happily chowing down on it) for many years! The yummy flavors and the easy prep make it a win all around.

It is a real food, nutritious recipe that is adaptable for many dietary needs. I make some notes on that at the end of the recipe.

I’m including an Instant Pot version and my recipe for a mild curry powder that is super kid friendly! Let me know if you try this recipe!

Pakistani Beef Curry

(See Recipe Notes)

6 servings

Total Time - about 45 minutes (less with Instant Pot)

Ingredients

• 2 - 3 tablespoons oil (coconut oil works great)

• 1 cup chopped onion

• 1-2 clove garlic (minced)

• 1 pound ground beef (any ground meat works well)

• 1 1/2 tablespoons curry powder (see Recipes Notes for my DIY mild recipe)

• 2 1/4 teaspoons salt (or to taste)

• 1/8 teaspoon pepper

• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/8 teaspoon ginger

• 2 1/2 - 3 cups diced tomatoes (can be canned or fresh)

• 3 medium potatoes or sweet potatoes, chopped small

• 2 1/2 - 3 cups peas (or sub other veggie such as green beans, zucchini, carrots, etc.)

Instructions

1. Melt oil in a large pan.

2. Add onion and garlic.

3. Cook until onion softens and garlic begins to brown.

4. Add meat and cook thoroughly.

5. Add curry, salt and spices. Stir well.

6. Add potatoes and tomatoes to the pan. Bring to a simmering boil. Reduce heat, cover, and cook for about 10-15 minutes or until potatoes are done.

7. Add peas at the end and cook briefly.

8. Serve alone or over rice or cauliflower as desired.

Instructions for Instant Pot

1. Melt oil in pot with saute function.

2. Add onion, garlic, and meat.

3. Cook thoroughly on saute feature.

4. Add tomatoes.

5. Add curry, salt and spices.

6. Add potatoes.

7. Cook under high pressure set for 5 minutes then after 5 minutes release the pressure quickly.

8. Now add the frozen peas (or veggie of choice).

9. Keep setting on warm, cover and let peas cook for a few minutes.

10. Serve over rice or cauliflower as desired.

Recipe Notes:

• Dice the tomatoes SMALL! They will cook much faster.

• Add some broth if you want there to be more liquid.

Dietary adaptations:

• Dairy free - This recipe is already dairy free!

• Grain free - Already grain free too!

• Paleo - Sub white for sweet potatoes.

• AIP - this one doesn’t work well for AIP.

Mild Curry Powder Recipe

One thing about making your own spice mixes - you know exactly what is in it!

When you make this recipe - if you don’t have a couple of the ingredients, it will still turn out just fine! (I would say the first five are pretty important, after that you can improvise a bit.)

I usually quadruple this and keep it on hand in a pint jar for curry making.

Ingredients

All ground spices:

• 3 teaspoons turmeric

• 2 teaspoons coriander

• 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon ginger

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek

• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom

• 1/2 teaspoon cloves

• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients in a bowl.

2. Mix thoroughly.

3. Store in an airtight container.