Weeknight curry · 30 minutes
Aloo Matar Recipe (Potato and Pea Curry)
Bhuna masala. Potatoes first. Peas at the end.
Recipe by Farwa ZeeshanTested in the NineFoods home kitchenAloo matar is a simple potato and pea curry with a light gravy, made on busy weeknights across Pakistan. It turns bland and watery when the masala is not cooked. The fix is a properly bhuna onion and tomato masala, potatoes cooked in it first, and peas added for the last few minutes so they stay sweet and green.
The 3 laws of aloo matar
Why this recipe works
Raw masala
Depth.
Early
Sweet, green peas.
Watery
Coats the potatoes.
Shopping and prep list
Ingredients
Curry
The NineFoods curry gauge
Is the gravy right?
Lift a spoon.
Method · 3 stages
Step by step
Masala
- Crackle cumin, fry onion, add ginger garlic, tomatoes and spices; bhuno.
Potatoes
- Add potatoes and water; cover until tender.
Peas
- Add peas and garam masala. Use the gauge above.
Chef's troubleshooter
What went wrong? Pick the symptom
Why
Masala not bhuna.
Fix next time
Fry until oil separates.
Why
Too much water.
Fix next time
Reduce.
Why
Cooked long.
Fix next time
Add at the end.
Why
Big cubes.
Fix next time
Smaller cubes.
Swap smart
Ingredient roles and substitutes
| Ingredient | Job in the dish | Swap with |
|---|---|---|
| Potatoes | Main | Paneer |
| Peas | Sweetness | Frozen peas |
| Tomatoes | Gravy | Yoghurt |
| Garam masala | Finish | Kasuri methi |
After the meal
Serve, store, reheat
Serve with
Roti, paratha or rice.
Store
Fridge 3 days.
Reheat
With a splash of water.
How we tested this recipe
Tested in a home kitchen, not a studio
Recipe developed and tested by Farwa Zeeshan, who cooks and tests every NineFoods recipe on a regular home stove.
- Cooked from start to finish with the exact quantities above for 4 servings, using both the metric and US cup measures.
- Every one of the 3 stages was timed at the stove; heat levels and the 'look for' cues are what we saw in the pan.
- The doneness check (is the gravy right) and the troubleshooter come from batches that went wrong, and how we fixed them.
- Reheating and storage advice was checked on leftovers, not guessed.
Keep cooking
Related recipes and guides
Quick answers
Aloo Matar FAQ
What is aloo matar?
A potato and pea curry.
Can I use frozen peas?
Yes, add them at the end.
Is aloo matar vegan?
Yes.
How do I thicken the gravy?
Mash a few potatoes into it.