Entree: India – Northern India – कीमा पुलाव ➤ Kīma Pulāv (Spiced minced meat and rice pilaf)

Food safety reminder: Follow safe food-handling practices and use a food thermometer to verify safe internal cooking temperatures.

Serving Size: 4

Approximate Time

Prep 15 min

Cook 35 min

Additional 5 min

Total 55 min

Ingredients

- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 1 cup (200 g) basmati rice, rinsed and soaked 20 minutes
- 1 3/4 cups (420 ml) water or beef broth
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped, approx. 10 oz (280 g)
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced, approx. 8 oz (225 g)
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) ginger-garlic paste or minced ginger and garlic
- 3 tbsp (45 ml) vegetable oil or ghee
- 1 tsp (2 g) cumin seeds
- 1/2 tsp (2 g) turmeric
- 1 tsp (3 g) garam masala
- 1 tsp (2 g) ground coriander
- 1 tsp (5 g) salt, adjust to taste
- 1/2 tsp (2 g) black pepper
- 2 tbsp (8 g) chopped fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

1. Heat oil or ghee in a large heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let sizzle 30 seconds, then add sliced onion and sauté until golden brown, about 6–8 minutes.
2. Add ginger-garlic paste and cook 1 minute, then add the ground beef and cook, breaking up lumps, until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes.
3. Stir in chopped tomatoes, turmeric, coriander, garam masala, salt, and pepper; cook until tomatoes soften and oil begins to separate, about 4 minutes.
4. Drain rice and add to the pan, stirring to coat the grains with the spiced meat mixture. Pour in water or broth, bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until rice is tender and liquid absorbed, about 15–18 minutes.
5. Remove from heat, let rest covered 5 minutes, fluff with a fork, garnish with chopped cilantro, and serve hot.