Goan Meatball Curry with Fenugreek
Juicy meatballs simmered in a fragrant fenugreek and coconut curry, slow-cooked to melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. This indian-inspired beef ready in about 70 minutes pairs ground pork, fenugreek leaves, coconut milk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground pork
- 2 tbsp fenugreek leaves
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1/2 medium red onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 inch minced fresh ginger
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, mix 1 lb ground pork with 2 tbsp minced fenugreek leaves, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/4 cup water. Form into 8 meatballs and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a pot over medium heat. Add 1/2 medium chopped red onion and cook for 4 minutes until soft.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 inch minced fresh ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 1 tsp ground cumin and 1 tsp ground coriander, stirring for 30 seconds.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 cup coconut milk and 1/4 cup water, then nestle meatballs into the sauce. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 35 minutes on low heat.
- Step 5: Uncover and simmer for 5 more minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Goan Meatball Curry with Fenugreek take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (25 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Goan Meatball Curry with Fenugreek?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground pork from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Goan Meatball Curry with Fenugreek?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Goan Meatball Curry with Fenugreek for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Goan Meatball Curry with Fenugreek?
Indian beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My Goan grandmother would have approved—the fenugreek depth was perfect with the beef meatballs.
- ★★★★★
Cooked this for my family dinner; the curry was rich and the meatballs held together beautifully.
- ★★★★☆
Great flavor, but the meatballs needed 15 extra minutes to firm up as per the recipe.
