When my husband and son asked their usual question, “What’s for dinner?”, they looked completely puzzled when I replied: Meatball Curry.
They had never heard of it. To be honest, neither had I.
The idea only came to me because I spotted a tray of pork mince in the fridge that needed using up that day. Pork mince is such a versatile ingredient in my kitchen. Every time I think I’ve exhausted all the options, something new appears on the dinner table. And this time, it was Meatball Curry.
Meatballs never fail in our house. Curry is equally loved. So why not bring the two together?
This easy Meatball Curry recipe combines juicy pork meatballs with a rich coconut curry sauce. It’s comforting, flavourful and perfect for a cosy family dinner.
Why you’ll love this Meatball Curry
This Meatball Curry is:
- Made with simple, everyday ingredients
- Cooked partly in the air fryer for ease
- Rich and creamy thanks to coconut milk
- Mild enough for children but full of flavour
- Perfect served with rice and steamed greens
It’s one of those dinners that feels both familiar and slightly different at the same time.
Preparing the curry meatballs
The meatballs are gently spiced but not overpowering, making them suitable for the whole family.
I season the pork mince with:
- Salt and black pepper
- Paprika
- Garlic granules
- Masala curry powder (or mild curry powder)
- Fresh breadcrumbs
Homemade breadcrumbs (my preferred option)
I love using fresh breadcrumbs made from my homemade white bread. I simply toast a thick slice until golden then blitz it in the food processor. It adds lovely texture and absorbs the flavours beautifully.
Of course, shop-bought breadcrumbs or panko work perfectly well too.
A tablespoon of olive oil helps bind everything together. Mix thoroughly then roll into evenly sized meatballs.
My meatball trick
My secret to perfectly even meatballs? An ice cream or cookie scoop.
Ours is practically dedicated to meatball making, which tells you how often they appear in our weekly meals. Who doesn’t love meatballs?
Air frying the meatballs
Arrange the meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook at 200°C for 10 minutes
- Flip halfway through for even browning
The key is not to overcook them. You only need to brown and seal the outside. They will finish cooking in the curry sauce later. Overcooking at this stage can dry them out.
You can pan-fry them instead if you prefer but I love using the air fryer. It’s hands-free and allows me to prepare the curry sauce at the same time.
Making the coconut curry sauce
In a wide pan:
- Heat a little olive oil.
- Fry chopped onion and garlic until soft and fragrant.
- Stir in masala curry powder (or mild curry powder) and tomato paste
Once the meatballs have had their initial 10 minutes in the air fryer, transfer them into the pan along with chopped carrots.
Pour in:
- 1 can of coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
Bring everything to the boil then reduce to a gentle simmer for 5-7 minutes. This allows the meatballs to soak up the fragrant coconut curry sauce while finishing cooking through.
Turn off the heat and garnish generously with fresh coriander.
The result? Tender meatballs in a creamy, aromatic sauce that coats every bite.
Serving suggestions
This Meatball Curry is best served with steamed jasmine or basmati rice, steamed broccoli or green beans and fresh coriander on top.
It’s a balanced, comforting meal that works beautifully for busy weeknights.
A first attempt but definitely not the last
Although this was my first time cooking Meatball Curry, it exceeded all expectations. From my six-year-old daughter to my husband, everyone paused after their first bite and said the same thing:
“Mmm…nice”
That’s when you know dinner is a success.
This easy Meatball Curry has now earned its place in our regular meal rotation and I suspect it will in yours too.
Meatball Curry – A Family Favourite with a Twist
Description
This easy Meatball Curry features juicy pork meatballs simmered in a creamy coconut curry sauce with warm masala spices and tender carrots. Partly cooked in the air fryer and finished in a fragrant sauce, it’s a comforting, family-friendly dinner perfect served with rice.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
For the Coconut Curry Sauce
Instructions
-
Prepare the Meatballs
- Toast the bread until golden and blitz into fresh breadcrumbs (if using sliced bread).
- In a large bowl, combine pork mince, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic granules, masala curry powder and olive oil.Â
- Mix well until evenly combined.
- Use a cookie scoop or a spoon to portion evenly sized meatballs. Roll into smooth balls.Â
-
Air Fry the Meatballs
- Arrange meatballs in a single layer in the basket.Â
- Cook at 200°C for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Do not overcook - they should be lightly browned but not fully cooked through.
- Alternatively, pan-fry in a little oil until browned.Â
-
Make the Curry Sauce
- Heat olive oil in a wide pan over medium heat.
- Add onion, garlic and cook until soft and fragrant.
- Add curry powder and tomato paste. Stir well to release the spices.Â
- Add chopped carrots and browned meatballs into the pan and stir.Â
-
Combine and Simmer
- Pour in coconut milk and soy sauce.
- Bring to a gentle boil then reduce to a simmer.Â
- Cook for 5-7 minutes the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce thickens slightly.Â
-
Finish
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Garnish with fresh coriander.
- Serve hot with steamed rice and green vegetables.Â
