Soya Keema Matar (Vegan Mince and Pea Curry)
Spiced soya mince and sweet peas in a thick tomato masala, with all the savoury depth of a classic keema.
Made with Curry base sauce (onion and tomato) and Ginger and garlic paste and Garam masala (homemade). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time35 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.00 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Put the soya mince in a bowl, cover with 400 ml boiling water and leave for 10 minutes. Drain and squeeze out the water.
10 min - 2
Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium heat. Add the cumin seeds for 20 seconds, then the onion, and fry for 8 minutes until golden.
8 min - 3
Stir in your ready made ginger and garlic paste (see the base recipe), coriander, turmeric and chilli powder and cook for 1 minute.
- 4
Add the tomatoes and cook for 4 minutes until soft. Stir in the soya mince and fry for 3 minutes so it picks up colour.
7 min - 5
Pour in your ready made curry base sauce (see the base recipe) and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the peas and salt for the last 4 minutes.
10 min - 6
Stir in the garam masala and coriander and serve with rice, chapatis or in a jacket potato.
Tips
- Squeeze the rehydrated mince dry. Wet soya dilutes the sauce and tastes flat.
- Fry the mince for a few minutes before adding the sauce so it browns lightly.
- Make it into a topping for jacket potatoes or a filling for stuffed peppers.
Storing and freezing
Keeps 4 days in the fridge and 3 months in the freezer. Cool within 2 hours and reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Where do I buy soya mince?
Dried soya mince is in the free-from or world foods aisle of most UK supermarkets. Frozen vegan mince also works.
Is it gluten free and vegan?
Yes. It is free from gluten, dairy, egg and nuts as written. Check that your brand of soya mince has no wheat added.
Can I use lentils instead?
Yes. Use 250 g cooked brown or green lentils in place of the mince and skip the soaking.
More made with curry base sauce (onion and tomato)
Potato and Cauliflower Vindaloo
GFDFEFLamb Kofta Curry in Onion and Tomato Gravy
DFEFNFCurry House Beef and Potato Pie
NFTinned Tuna Curry with Potatoes and Peas
GFDFEFSee every dish made with curry base sauce (onion and tomato)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.