Authentic Kofta Curry (Meatball Curry)

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This Authentic Kofta Curry (Meatball Curry) recipe contain meatballs, are mixed with various spices to enhance the taste; and the gravy is cooked with a blend of spices to give it the most authentic taste. This is one of the most authentic and secretive family recipes.

WHAT IS KOFTA CURRY?

This Authentic Kofta Curry(Meatball Curry) is a traditional North Indian and Pakistani curry. This recipe has been passed down in my family. Spiced beef kofta (meatballs) are submerged in a deeply flavorful, slow-cooked stovetop curry. Serve with warm naan to soak up all of the comforting gravy. A lot of Pakistani beef recipe are on the blog like Achari Keema (Qeema) and Dum Ka Keema.

VIDEO

TWO CLOVES IN A POT'S TIPS

This recipe include secret ingredients and secret steps.

Channa (bengal gram) lentils and rice- Gives it its unique flavor and help with binding them also. Adding basmati rice and lentil in the meatballs is what makes them soft and tender. You can call it our family's secret ingredients.
Onion and Yogurt Mixture- Take 1 tbsp of the yogurt mixture and mix it in your ground beef mixture. Take out rest of the yogurt mixture and set it aside.
Don't stir- Just pick up and hold the handles of the pot and move it right and left; even when its fully cook stir gently so the meatballs don't break.

FAQS

Why my Kofta became so hard?

In order to make Kofta soft, add 1 tbsp of yogurt and onion mixture. It's Magic!!!

How do you keep kofta from breaking?

The Channa dal and basmati rice will prevent them from breaking.

"Made your kofta masala recipe yesterday and it turned out amazing. The texture of the kofta was perfect...soft and juicy. I can proudly say that I have found THE BEST recipe of kofta so far. I even shared your recipe link with my sisters. Yes it’s that good. Thank you for sharing a family’s secret."
Bushra

WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN MAKING AUTHENTIC KOFTA CURRY?

Tomatoes- Tomatoes in an Authentic Kofta Curry are a big NO NOs. In an authentic kofta curry there is no room for tomatoes.
Potatoes - No No again when you are making Authentic Kofta Curry there isn't room for Potatoes.
Eggs- No No again! If you put eggs then you're making Nargisi Kofta (recipe coming soon.)
Don't stir- with spoon after placing the kofta to cook in the pot.

HOW TO MAKE KOFTA SOFT AND TENDER?

The secret step is the yogurt and onion mixture which makes the kofta soft and tender.

WHAT ARE KOFTA MADE OF?

Ground beef- Keema
Bengal gram lentil- Channa dal
Basmati rice- Basmati chawal
Red chili powder- Peesi huwi lal mirchi
Cloves- Long
Green cardamom- Hari elachi
Black peppercorns- Sabut kali mirchi
Black cardamom- Kali elechi
Cilantro- Danya
Green pepper- Hari mirchi
Cumin seeds- Zeera
Onion- Pyaz
Salt- Namak
Black pepper- Peesi huwi kali mirchi
Ginger- Adrak
Yogurt - Dahi
Olive oil- Tal
Coriander powder- Peesa huwa danya
Turmeric powder- Haldi
Cinnamon stick- Dal chini
Ginger garlic paste- Adrak lehsun ka paste
Long dried red pepper- Lambi sushi lal mirch
Ginger- Adrak
Water- Pani

HOW TO COOK KOFTA CURRY?

Add some chana dal and bastimati rice in bowl.

Soak it for 7-8 hours or overnight. It should double in size.

Combine red chili powder, black peppercorns, cumin seeds, cloves, green cardamom, black cardamom, onion, cilantro, green pepper, lentil, rice, salt and black pepper, garlic, and ginger. Pulse them for about 2 minutes in the food processor.

Now add ground beef in the food processor and pulse it, it should look like this now.

Add oil, let it heat up. Add the onion, saute the onion until brown.

Take the onions out and set them aside in a plate to cool down for few minutes.

After the onions cool down, then add onion to a blender.

Now add yogurt to the same blender, and blend for 20 seconds.

The yogurt and onion mixture should look like this.

Take only 1 tbsp of the yogurt-onion mixture and add it to the ground beef mixture.

In the same pot, which you fried the onion, there should be some oil left. On medium heat, heat the oil, and add whole spices.

Next add the salt and powder spices. Now turn the stove to low. and keep stirring for a minute or two.

Now add water and let it cook on medium again.

See the video for better understanding how to shape them.

Add the meatballs to the curry, let it cook.

When meatballs are half done, hold the pot with the two handles and start moving the pot back and forth until all the meatballs are turned over. Then add yogurt-onion mixture dollops in between the meatballs. Hold the pot with the two handles and start moving the pot back and forth until the mixture is well combined.

Garnish with cilantro and ginger. Enjoy!

WHAT TO PAIR IT WITH?

Authentic Kofta Curry (Meatball Curry) goes great with Naan or chapati. When hosting a party it pairs great with Chicken Biryani along with Raita, Shami Kababs , Mutton Masala Curry, don't forget to add Maash Dal, and save some room for dessert like Authentic Kheer.

CAN KOFTA CURRY BE FREEZE?

The curry and the meatballs can be made ahead of time and is safe to freeze but don't mix the meatballs in the curry when freezing. Although, when ready to make them just thaw the meatballs and curry and on a stovetop, just add the thawed curry and mix in the meatballs.

Let's make Kofta Curry!!!

one bowl standing out for the meatball curry and the rest of 2 blurred.

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5 from 7 votes