Who can resist a flavorful Goan meatball curry? Especially if the bright orange Goan curry has been enriched with aromatic spices and comforting meatball flavors.Â
Learn how to make Goan meatball curry from scratch with the step by step instructions further below.
Today it’s going to be this goan meatball curry, an Indian meat kofta dish prepared with beef. Goans call it their comfort food and cook it frequently at home.
My sister in law is the expert around here in making the best meatball curries. Whenever she used to prepare the dish in the kitchen, I would long for this amazing dish!
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When I posted this meatball curry for the first time in 2015, my sister in law was still around. However, she got married since then and moved to South Goa, where she is amazing her in laws with this perfect authentic Goan Meatball curry.
I miss the meatball curry coming from her hand, but luckily she did pass on this recipe to me (and I shared it with you) so I ended up making the meatball beef kofta curry frequently.
My mother in law makes a lovely meatball curry too but nothing beats my sister in laws curry. Her husband keeps on telling her that too. 😛
When the meatball curry is prepared, the aroma fills the whole house and neighborhood, teasing and taking over common sense, so that everybody just waits for it to get ready.
I have tried meatball curries in different Goan homes but I never fancied it that much. My sister in law’s recipe is for sure the best – yes, in fact it’s addictive and satisfies your meat and spice needs – and we are lucky, she gladly gave me the permission to shre the goan meatball curry with you.
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How to make Goan Meatball Curry/Indian Beef Kofta Curry?
The Goan meatball curry recipe is straight forward and simple, combine all the meatball ingredients and then prepare the curry step by step.
When my sister in law perfected the recipe, she played around with old and new techniques. She has tried the old way by frying the meatballs first, however the meatballs would end up a bit dry.
So, she developed a recipe, where the meatballs would literally get poached in the spiced curry, so that the beef meatballs retain the shape + remain perfectly moist.
Another important point is the meat quality! Quality beef is not always easily available, even in Goa.
That is something to look out for, and so to find the right supplier who will provide you with qualitative, deep red, superior beef mince, Â which has been hygienically prepared, is another challenge.
TIP: Mixing Beef and Pork double ground mince, 50/50 results in soft, juicy and better shaped meatballs.
I was told that meat quality is higher in South Goa then in the North, and I agree.
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In the Western world we don’t have to worry about these things, however in Austria for example we make it a point to buy meat from the butcher, whom we trust, or meat ready cut and packed with origins in Austria (not Germany or Italy) as I feel meat quality tends to be better in Austria.
Also meat in France is always far superior compared to other European countries. In fact local butchers are still very much present in most villages and they readily cut, wrap, tie and prepare the meat the way the customer needs it
It’s important to treat yourself well, good food makes one happy and if it’s the right food it will help your health as well. You can see, smell and taste the freshness of produce, use your senses, try to take your time in picking the food you are about to buy in the market.
To prepare the Goan, one-pot, meatball curry will take you about 3o minutes all together. 10 minutes to prepare the meatballs and 20 minutes cook time altogether.
The Beef Kofta Curry makes a great lunch meal or I also enjoy it a lot as a weeknight dinner. Remember, you can keep left overs in the fridge, and when reheating, the flavors will be more intense, as it is with all good curries in this world.
Goan Meatball Curry Recipe below:
- 300 grams double ground beef Mince (aka special mince) or 10.6 oz or 1â…“ cup
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Pepper
- 1 Teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ Teaspoon Turmeric powder
- 1 Teaspoon Ginger Garlic paste
- ½ Teaspoon white wine Vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon Breadcrumbs
- ½ Egg
- 1 medium Onion
- 1 Tomato
- 1 fresh green Chili
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 8 medium-sized fresh Curry leafs or dried if fresh is not available
- 1 Teaspoon dark Mustard Seeds
- ½ Teaspoon red Chili powder
- 1 Tablespoon Ginger Garlic paste
- ½ Teaspoon Turmeric powder (aka Curcuma)
- 1 Teaspoon Coriander seed powder
- 1 Teaspoon Cumin powder
- 3 Tablespoon Tomato Paste
- 400 milliliter Coconut milk or 13.5 fl oz or 1 5/7 cup
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- ¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper
- Fresh Coriander (Cilantro) as garnish (optional)
- For the Meatballs, combine all meatball ingredients listed. Use only ½ of an egg because otherwise the texture of the mass turns very wet and that amount is more than enough to make it stick together. Mix the whole content to a smooth mass. Keep aside and let rest until you get to the poaching of the meatballs.
- Next, slice your clean onion and dice your tomato, slice your fresh green chili lengthwise. Heat up the olive oil in a pan and temper/stir fry the mustard seeds and fresh curry leafs until you smell the aroma of the 2 ingredients. Careful, the mustard seeds will pop and jump! Continue to add in the onion and stir fry until soft and translucent.
- Then add the diced Tomatoes and stir fry for another 2 minutes until soft, then add the fresh green chili, red chili powder, ginger garlic paste, turmeric powder, coriander powder and cumin powder. Stir fry for a minute, and then add the tomato paste and coconut milk. Season with Salt and Pepper. Mix and let simmer covered for 5-7 minutes. stir frequently and make sure the curry doesn't over cook as too much heating might cause curdling of the coconut milk
- The Curry will have changed into a gorgeous bright orange. Now form your meatballs by pressing and turning them into round balls and place them into the curry. Let cook for 2 minutes and turn the meatballs in the curry so that they get equally cooked. Cover with a lid and simmer for another 3 minutes before removing the curry from the heat.
- Serve hot and garnish with freshly chopped Coriander (which I left out this time on the pictures).
Serve the Goan Meatball Curry with:
-
- Chapati
- over cooked rice
- Pao or Poi bread
- Okra Stir fry – Ladyfinger/Bhende Bhaji
- Crispy Karela stir fry – Bitter Melon
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Dear Reader, what’s the meat quality like where ever you live?
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I love goat! Used to have it often when we lived in Texas, but in most parts of the US you need to search for it (although any Mexican market has it). Really good meatballs — lotta flavor in these. Thanks!
Your curry is beckoning with that delicious flavour, Without the meatballs I would be dipping my naan all over the gravy 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I love the look of your meatballs and this is a curry that clearly has so much flavour. I’m picky about mince as well; I go to a butcher who minces it in front of me so I see exactly what goes into it xx
Meatball curry? I had to say that twice to curb my excitement. What a brilliant idea. I often make my own mince but not often enough. Just thinking about cleaning the grinder encourages me to head to the butcher. I’m going to make these meatballs!
Loved the spicy curry…I also prepare a similar sort but with lamb…This looks delicious:)
The curry gravy sounds so good!
I love meatball curries like this…just hand me a roti or naan!
This is definitely a dish for the type of cold, snowy weather we are experiencing right now in Toronto. I do enjoy a good curry and your description sounds absolutely wonderful. The combination of spices must make the house smell incredible. I can’t wait to try this one!
OMG, I have everything I need to make this, it’s a sign, it’s a sign! I’m pulling out the beef mince from the freezer the minute I hit SUBMIT! 🙂
I love curry soup, and I love this recipe…so homey and soothing.
you can just see the flavor in that curry and the meatballs. It looks comforting and hearty
I love Goan curries–and I love meatball curries! So clearly I am making this!
I love Kofta. I haven’t had any in a couple of years (since I’ve had to be gluten free)
I am saving this recipe and making some, for sure!
Thanks
Would love a of bowl of this with a side of flatbread! I’ve never had nor seen a meatball curry so I’m finding this to be quite creative as well as super tasty. Great recipe!
What a delicious flavor packed meal! Love everything you put in here…yum!
I do a lot of Indian cooking, but have never tried a goan curry before. I will definitely be giving this a go. Thank you!
Yum – I can only imagine how good this tasted – with all those spices in the curry and in the meatballs – this is sure to be intoxicating!
This looks yummy! I want some!!! Thanks for sharing! – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
Helene, my dear this meatball curry makes me feel as if I am sitting in a Goanese home and eating heavenly home-style curry! I loved the combo of tomato and coconut milk. Cleanliness is extremely important. Also, I like the fact that u have used very little egg and blended the mince. 🙂
We do not eat beef so its going to be with lamb for me. I could eat spoonfuls of that delicious curry 😀
I love kofta curry. Your steps are so good. It’s one of the best curries ever. Your steps are awesome.
Words fail me! This is the best kofta I’ve had.
Excellent recipe!
Hi Donna, thank you for your feedback. Happy to read that you enjoy the meatball curry as much as I do. 🙂
I would totally love to dig into this curry dish. So much flavor.
My mum makes a fantastic kofte curry but hers is North Indian style of curry base, I have never tried the Goan version, so am bookmarking this to try soon!
wow this looks amazing and your ginger garlic paste sounds wonderful too. I have to make this, I love curry
This looks so wonderful. The meatballs have so much flavor added to them. Perfect! I am going to try to make this,
Love spicy curries — this sauce looks divine!
I love curries and I love meatballs but I have never had a meatball curry! This has got to change ASAP! Sounds fabulous!
Thnk you Amy, I think you will fall in love with this curry if you like curries and meatballs 😀