Beef Keema Rice Recipe
A flavorful and aromatic Beef Keema Rice recipe combining tender lean ground beef with fragrant spices, basmati rice, and fresh herbs. This one-pot dish features caramelized onions, garlic, ginger, and a blend of Indian spices simmered together for a comforting and satisfying meal, perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
- Author: Marco
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Rice
- 1 cup (180g) basmati rice
- 3–4 cups water (for cooking rice)
Sauté & Meat
- 1 tbsp (12g) olive oil
- 1 (170g) medium onion, thinly sliced
- 4 (17g) garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp ginger paste or minced ginger
- 1 jalapeño pepper, minced (optional)
- 2 tbsp (34g) tomato paste
- 1 lb (454g) lean ground beef (90-96% lean)
- 1/2 cup (85g) frozen peas
- 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped + more for garnish
Spices
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 2 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp Kashmiri red chili powder (or substitute 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper)
- 1/4 tsp garam masala
- Pinch of salt and turmeric (~1/4 tsp each) for frying onions
- Rinse and cook rice: Rinse basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. Add rice to a pot and cover with 3-4 cups of water. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring often, until the rice is al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Caramelize onions: Heat a heavy skillet over medium heat and add olive oil. Add the sliced onions along with a pinch of salt and turmeric (approximately 1/4 teaspoon each). Fry the onions, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Remove half of the fried onions for garnish and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: To the remaining onions in the skillet, add minced garlic, ginger paste, and jalapeño if using. Cook for about 2 minutes until the raw smell disappears and ingredients release a fragrant aroma.
- Add tomato paste: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for an additional minute to deepen its flavor.
- Cook ground beef with spices: Crumble the lean ground beef into the skillet and sprinkle with salt, cumin, garam masala, turmeric, coriander powder, Kashmiri red chili powder, and an additional pinch of garam masala. Stir occasionally, breaking up the meat, until it is fully cooked through.
- Simmer with peas: Pour in one cup of water and add the frozen peas. Use a wooden spoon to deglaze the pan by scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom. Let it simmer gently for 1 minute.
- Combine rice and cilantro: Stir in the cooked rice and chopped cilantro. Taste and adjust salt as needed. Mix well to combine all ingredients.
- Final steaming: Reduce heat to low. Top the rice mixture with the reserved fried onions and extra cilantro. Cover the skillet and cook on low heat for 5 minutes to allow the rice to become soft and fluffy, and for the flavors to meld.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef (90-96% lean) for the best texture and flavor balance.
- If Kashmiri red chili powder is unavailable, substitute with 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper but note the flavor difference.
- Adjust jalapeño quantity based on desired heat level or omit for a milder dish.
- Be careful not to overcook the rice during initial boiling to maintain fluffiness after final steaming.
- Garnishing with reserved fried onions adds a crispy texture and sweet flavor contrast.
- Can be served with yogurt or raita for a cooling accompaniment.
Keywords: Beef Keema, Keema Rice, Indian ground beef recipe, spicy rice dish, one pot meal, basmati rice with beef, easy Indian dinner, savory ground beef and rice