Heat a non-stick pan over medium-high heat and add oil. Next, add onions, and green chilies, and sauté for 3 minutes until they turn translucent.
Then, add the ginger and garlic, and continue to sauté for another minute. Now add the tomatoes along with the spices. Continue to sauté for 3-4 minutes until the tomatoes turn soft and mushy.
After that, add the ground meat and mix while breaking down the meat with your spatula. Cover and cook the keema for 5 minutes, then uncover, and saute until the liquid evaporates and the keema is cooked, which takes about 7-8 minutes.
Stir in thawed green peas and cook for another 3-4 minutes, or until the peas cook through. Turn off the heat and garnish with cilantro leaves.
Instant Pot Recipe
Turn on the Instant Pot on Sauté and adjust it to high. Wait till it displays 'hot'. Add oil, chopped onions, bay leaf, and serrano pepper. Sauté for 3 minutes.
Add minced ginger and garlic, stir, and cook for another minute.
Add pureed tomato, salt and spices, and sauté for 2 minutes. If adding tomato paste instead, add ¼ cup water to help the paste integrate.
Add ground meat and stir well to break up the meat. When ground meat looks well integrated with the sauce, turn off Saute. Add ¼-½ cup water and deglaze the pot. Scrape off any brown bits stuck at the bottom.
Close and lock the lid. Cook on Manual or Pressure cook for 10 minutes at high pressure (sealing mode). After cooking, release the pressure manually (QR).
Open the lid and turn on Saute. Check for seasoning and add frozen or fresh peas. Simmer for 3-5 minutes, until the curry reaches your desired consistency and peas cook through. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and enjoy with rice, roti, or naan!
Video
Notes
Ground Meat: Traditionally Keema is made with minced lamb or goat meat. Chicken keema or beef keema is a popular choice too. You can make this dish with ground turkey as well. Cooking time remains the same for all.
Tomato: Tomatoes are critical in this curry because their acidity cuts through the spices in this dish. Use freshly pureed, canned crushed tomatoes or paste.
How to Make it Creamy: You can make this curry creamy if you like. Simply add 2-3 tablespoons of whole milk, half & half, or heavy whipping cream and simmer with the peas.
Keema Aloo Variation: Another popular variation of this recipe is Keema Aloo. To make that, skip the peas and add 1 cup peeled and 1-inch cubed gold potatoes along with the meat.
Note: The nutrition facts below are my estimates based on ground chicken. If you follow any diet plan, I recommend cross-checking with your preferred nutrition calculator.