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Quick and easy Hamburger Curry Recipe

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Hamburger curry is the perfect comfort food dish. It is hearty and filling, but also has a bit of spice to it. And, best of all, it is easy to make. So if you are looking for a delicious and comforting meal, look no further than hamburger curry.

hamburger curry with rice in a white bowl

The best thing about it, it’s easy to make and can be tailored to your own spice preferences. Ground beef curry is also a great way to use up any leftovers that you have in the fridge. I’d call that a win.

What is hamburger curry?

Hamburger curry is a dish made with ground beef, curry powder, and other spices. It is typically served over rice or noodles, and can be garnished with green onions or cilantro.

Hamburger curry combines the best of both worlds: the meaty goodness of burgers with the flavor explosion of curry. It’s a match made in heaven (or at least our stomachs).

While hamburger curry is popular in Hawai’i, it is has its roots in Japanese cuisine. Japanese beef curry typically uses chuck roast. Here in Hawai’i we like to use ground beef. But really any cut of beef can work for this recipe.

If you love seafood, be sure to give my shrimp curry a try as well

Ingredients needed to make hamburger curry

  • Cooking oil. Vegetable, canola, and avocado work well here.
  • Onion. Sweet Maui onions are my favorite. You can also use white or yellow onions.
  • Ground beef. You can also use chuck roast, boneless short ribs, or round steak as well.
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Garlic. Be sure to finely mince these. I love using a garlic press https://amzn.to/3ybdQqe for that.
  • Carrots. Add a little sweetness to the dish. Feel free to use up any other vegetables you have in the fridge as well.      
  • Potatoes. Russet or Yukon gold work great.              
  • Japanese curry mix. One of my favorites is S&B Golden Curry

(Full recipe instructions and ingredient amounts are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post)

hamburger curry ingredients

How to make hamburger curry

Start with the onions. I love a good sweet Maui onion, but white or yellow onions will do. Saute that down in a heavy bottom pot over medium high heat.

Once the onions are ready you can get the ground beef going. Always season your food as you go and be sure to drain the excess oil.

Now for the veggies. You can really use any veggies you want here, but classically I like to use garlic, carrots, and potatoes. Cook that down until the veggies just start to soften.

And lastly the Japanese curry roux. After all this is hamburger curry right. Simmer until your desired tenderness.

I love serving this with rice. But you can eat it on it’s own or along side a fresh salad if you prefer. And don’t forget the soy sauce for added umami.

This is perfect for a quick and easy dinner that can be enjoyed year round.

top down shot of hamburger curry

Tips for the best beef curry

  • Use good quality beef. After all this is beef curry right?
  • Use a good quality curry powder. I like to use S&B Golden Curry mild
  • Don’t over cook the veggies. While you want your beef to be tender, you don’t want the vegetables to be mushy.
close up of hamburger curry

Frequently asked questions

What kind of beef should you use for hamburger curry?

I like to use ground beef. You can use 80/20 or 90/10 here. If you prefer larger chunks of beef I’d suggest using chuck roast. This is an affordable cut of meat that will become tender.

Can I use other vegetables in hamburger curry?

Of course. This is a great dish to use up the vegetables you have in the refrigerator.

What other meat options can I use?

You can opt to replace the ground beef with ground chicken, turkey, or pork as well.

How to store?

Allow the curry to cool. Place in an air tight container and store in the refrigerator. This will keep for 3-4 days.

Can you freeze beef curry?

You bet. That’s one of the great things about this dish. Make a large batch and save some for later. If the plan is to freeze the curry, I’d suggest pulling the dish off the heat before the vegetables are soft. This prevents the vegetables from over cooking when reheating.

Other great beef recipes

hamburger curry with rice in a white bowl

Hamburger Curry

Relle Lum
Hamburger curry is the perfect comfort food dish. It is hearty and
filling, but also has a bit of spice to it. And, best of all, it is easy
to make. So if you are looking for a delicious and comforting meal,
look no further than hamburger curry.
4.83 from 29 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine Local
Servings 4 servings
Calories 500 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 4 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 2 carrots cubed
  • 2 medium potatoes cubed
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 pack 3.2 ounces Japanese curry mix

Instructions
 

  • Add oil to a heavy bottom pot and heat over medium high heat. Add onion and saute until translucent. 
  • Next add ground beef, salt, and pepper. Cook for 4-5 minutes or until the meat has browned. Drain the oil and return to the heat.
  • Then add garlic, carrots, and potatoes. Continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes. Lastly, add water and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes.
  • Add the curry mix and stir until combined. Continue to simmer for another 5-10 minutes or until vegetables are to your desired tenderness. Serve with rice and enjoy!

Notes

  • Use good quality beef. After all this is beef curry right?
  • Use a good quality curry powder. I like to use S&B Golden Curry mild
  • Don't over cook the veggies. While you want your beef to be tender, you don't want the vegetables to be mushy.
  • Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 40gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 119mgSodium: 416mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3g
    Keyword beef, beef curry, curry, dinner, easy recipe, hamburger curry, japanese food, keeping it relle, local food
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    © Relle Lum for Keeping It Relle. Please do not copy and paste or screenshot recipes online or on social media. I’d love it if you share a link with a photo instead. Mahalo!

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    By on October 5th, 2022

    About Relle

    Aloha, my name is Relle and welcome to my little home on the internet where I like to share all my favorite Hawaiian recipes (and local ones too).

    I am a wife, mom of two, and nurse practitioner here in the beautiful state of Hawai’i. I was born and raised in Hawai’i and I am of native Hawaiian descent. In my spare time I love to cook and bake and I have compiled many of my favorite recipes here for you to enjoy.

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