Have you ever rushed home after a long day, craving something comforting yet exciting for dinner? That’s exactly when these Curry Meatballs come to the rescue. Imagine tender, juicy meatballs bathed in a rich, aromatic curry sauce that fills your kitchen with an irresistible fragrance. This Curry Meatballs recipe transforms simple ingredients into a memorable meal that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, when in reality, it comes together in just about 30 minutes.
What makes these Curry Meatballs special is the perfect balance of spices that create depth without overwhelming heat, making them accessible for the whole family. The velvety gravy coats each meatball beautifully, creating the perfect bite when served over fluffy rice or alongside warm naan bread. Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner or something impressive yet straightforward for guests, this Curry Meatballs recipe will quickly become a favorite in your meal rotation.
Why You’ll Love These Curry Meatballs
- ✅ These Curry Meatballs are ready in under 40 minutes – perfect for busy weeknight dinners
- ✅ The best Curry Meatballs for dinner that even picky eaters will enjoy
- ✅ Easy Curry Meatballs with coconut milk alternative option for a creamy, dairy-free version
- ✅ Gluten-free Curry Meatballs for meal prep that taste even better the next day
- ✅ Flavorful Curry Meatballs for family gatherings that always impress guests
- ✅ Healthy baked Curry Meatballs recipe option included for a lighter version
- ✅ Perfectly balanced spices make these ideal Indian style Curry Meatballs with naan
Ingredients for Curry Meatballs
For the Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground pork (can substitute with ground turkey, chicken, or beef)
- ½ tablespoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder (can substitute with cornstarch if not strictly paleo)
For the Curry Gravy:
- 3 tablespoons shortening (can use ghee or butter if not dairy-free)
- 3 tablespoons arrowroot powder (cornstarch works as an alternative)
- 1-¾ cups almond milk (or dairy milk if not dairy-free)
- 1-¾ cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt (reduce if your broth is already salty)
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
How to Make Curry Meatballs – Step by Step
Preparing the Meatballs
Step 1: In a large bowl, combine ground pork, curry powder, garlic powder, turmeric powder, salt, and arrowroot powder. Mix gently with your hands until just combined – overmixing can make the meatballs tough.
Step 2: Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs (about 20-24 total) and place them on a plate. For perfectly uniform Curry Meatballs, use a small cookie scoop to portion the meat mixture.
Step 3: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a tablespoon of oil and cook the meatballs in batches, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Transfer cooked meatballs to a clean plate.
Pro Tip: For healthy baked Curry Meatballs, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 15-18 minutes instead of pan-frying.
Making the Curry Gravy
Step 4: In the same skillet (don’t clean it!), melt the shortening or ghee over medium heat. The browned bits from the meatballs will add extra flavor to your gravy.
Step 5: Whisk in the arrowroot powder and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to create a roux. This will help thicken your Curry Meatballs sauce perfectly.
Step 6: Gradually whisk in the almond milk and chicken broth, ensuring there are no lumps. Add the salt, curry powder, turmeric, and garlic powder.
Step 7: Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes until thickened to a gravy consistency. For spicy Curry Meatballs with vegetables, you can add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes at this stage.
Step 8: Return the meatballs to the skillet, gently stirring to coat them in the curry gravy. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Variation: For easy Curry Meatballs with coconut milk, substitute the almond milk with 1 can (approximately 14oz) of coconut milk for a richer, more tropical flavor profile.

Pro Tips for Making the Best Curry Meatballs
- The perfect blend: The secret to the best Curry Meatballs is balancing the spices. Feel free to adjust the curry powder to match your heat preference.
- Texture matters: Add 2-3 tablespoons of finely minced onions to the meatball mixture for extra moisture and flavor.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the meatball mixture up to 24 hours in advance and keep it refrigerated until ready to cook.
- Slow cooker option: For slow cooker Curry Meatballs for busy nights, brown the meatballs first, then transfer to a slow cooker with the gravy ingredients and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
- Freeze with confidence: Cooked Curry Meatballs freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently in a covered pan.
Best Ways to Serve recipe
These versatile recipecan be enjoyed in numerous ways:
- Classic presentation: Serve Curry Meatballs with rice – basmati or jasmine rice works wonderfully to soak up the delicious gravy.
- Low-carb option: For a lighter meal, serve over cauliflower rice or alongside a fresh green salad.
- Indian-inspired: Pair your Indian style Curry Meatballs with naan bread for scooping up the savory sauce.
- Appetizer version: Make smaller meatballs and serve with toothpicks for an impressive party appetizer.
- Complete meal: Add steamed vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or peas directly to the sauce during the last few minutes of cooking for spicy Curry Meatballs with vegetables.
Nutritional Information for Curry Meatballs
Per serving (4 meatballs with sauce):
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Protein: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fat: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 2g
Storage & Leftovers
These recipe actually taste even better the next day after the flavors have had time to develop, making them perfect for meal prep!
- Refrigeration: Store leftoverrecipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm gently in a covered saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth if needed to thin the sauce. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions About Curry Meatballs
What are the main ingredients in recipe?
The main ingredients are ground meat (typically pork, beef, chicken, or turkey), curry powder, turmeric, garlic powder, and a binding agent like arrowroot powder. The gravy requires a fat source, a thickener, liquid (broth and milk), and additional spices.
How long do you cook recipe?
recipe typically cook in 5-7 minutes in a skillet until browned and cooked through. After making the gravy, they simmer for an additional 5 minutes in the sauce. For baked versions, they need about 15-18 minutes in a 400°F oven.
Can I use frozen meatballs for curry dishes?
Yes! For a quick shortcut, you can use frozen pre-cooked meatballs to make recipe. Simply thaw them first, then add them directly to the curry gravy and simmer until heated through, about 10-15 minutes.
What kind of curry is best for meatballs?
For recipe, a mild to medium curry powder works best for most palates. Madras curry powder offers a bit more heat, while a standard yellow curry powder provides classic flavor. For authentic Indian flavors, garam masala can be added alongside the curry powder.
Conclusion
These recipe are the perfect solution for those times when you crave something comforting yet exciting. With their balanced flavors and versatile serving options, they’re sure to become a regular feature on your dinner table. Whether you’re making how to make recipe from scratch for the first time or you’re a seasoned pro looking for a new variation, this recipe delivers on both flavor and simplicity.
The beauty of these recipe is how they can be customized to suit your preferences – make them spicier, add vegetables, or adjust the cooking method to fit your schedule. They’re equally suited for a quick weeknight dinner or as an impressive dish for guests.
Have you tried making recipe before? What’s your favorite way to serve them? Share your experiences and variations in the comments below – we’d love to hear how you make this recipe your own!
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Curry Meatballs: Easy, Flavorful Comfort Food For Any Occasion
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Tender, juicy meatballs bathed in a rich, aromatic curry sauce, perfect for a comforting yet exciting dinner that comes together in about 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground pork (can substitute with ground turkey, chicken, or beef)
- ½ tablespoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder (can substitute with cornstarch if not strictly paleo)
- 3 tablespoons shortening (can use ghee or butter if not dairy-free)
- 3 tablespoons arrowroot powder (cornstarch works as an alternative)
- 1–¾ cups almond milk (or dairy milk if not dairy-free)
- 1–¾ cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt (reduce if your broth is already salty)
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ground pork, curry powder, garlic powder, turmeric powder, salt, and arrowroot powder. Mix gently with your hands until just combined.
- Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs (about 20-24 total) and place them on a plate.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a tablespoon of oil and cook the meatballs in batches, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Transfer to a clean plate.
- In the same skillet, melt the shortening or ghee over medium heat. Whisk in the arrowroot powder and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Gradually whisk in the almond milk and chicken broth, ensuring there are no lumps. Add the salt, curry powder, turmeric, and garlic powder.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes until thickened to a gravy consistency.
- Return the meatballs to the skillet, gently stirring to coat them in the curry gravy. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Notes
- For healthy baked Curry Meatballs, bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 400°F for 15-18 minutes.
- For easy Curry Meatballs with coconut milk, substitute the almond milk with 1 can of coconut milk.
- Add finely minced onions to the meatball mixture for extra moisture and flavor.
- Freeze cooked Curry Meatballs for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 meatballs
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: N/A
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 18
- Cholesterol: N/A
Keywords: curry meatballs, easy dinner, indian style meatballs, gluten free meatballs, weeknight curry recipe