How to Make Aloo Matar – A Classic Indian Potato and Pea Curry (British English Recipe Guide)

 

---

🍛 Introduction: What is Aloo Matar?

Aloo Matar (also spelled Aloo Mutter) is a traditional North Indian vegetarian curry made with potatoes (aloo) and green peas (matar) cooked in a richly spiced tomato-based gravy. This comforting dish is full of warm Indian spices, easy to prepare, and can be enjoyed with roti, paratha, rice or naan.

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned home cook, this British English step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to make authentic Aloo Matar at home.

---

🍅 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Completely vegetarian and vegan-friendly

Uses pantry-friendly ingredients

Ready in under 30 minutes

Perfect for lunch or dinner

Customisable to your spice level

Budget-friendly and family-approved

---

🛒 Ingredients for Aloo Matar

Here’s what you’ll need for a simple home-style Aloo Matar curry:

Main Ingredients

2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed

1 cup green peas (fresh or frozen)

2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped or pureed

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste

2 tablespoons cooking oil or ghee

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

Spices

½ teaspoon turmeric powder

1 teaspoon coriander powder

½ teaspoon red chilli powder (adjust to taste)

1 teaspoon garam masala

½ teaspoon cumin powder

Salt to taste

Optional

A handful of fresh coriander leaves for garnish

¼ teaspoon kasuri methi (dried fenugreek) for aroma

½ teaspoon amchur (dry mango powder) or lemon juice for tang

---

🍲 Equipment You’ll Need

Heavy-bottomed saucepan or kadhai

Wooden spoon or spatula

Knife and chopping board

Blender (optional, for pureeing tomatoes)

---

🔪 How to Make Aloo Matar – Step-by-Step Instructions

---

🧅 Step 1: Prep the Ingredients

Wash, peel and cube the potatoes into bite-sized chunks.

Finely chop onions and tomatoes (or blend tomatoes into a purée).

Measure out your spices so they’re ready to go.

---

🍳 Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

1. Heat oil in a pan on medium flame.

2. Add cumin seeds and let them crackle.

3. Add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.

4. Stir in the ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1–2 minutes until the raw smell disappears.

---

🍅 Step 3: Add Tomatoes and Spices

1. Add chopped or puréed tomatoes.

2. Cook until the oil starts to separate and the mixture becomes thick.

3. Add turmeric, red chilli powder, coriander powder, and cumin powder.

4. Mix well and sauté the masala for 2–3 minutes.

---

🥔 Step 4: Add Potatoes and Peas

1. Add the cubed potatoes and green peas to the pan.

2. Mix thoroughly so the masala coats the vegetables.

3. Add about 1.5 cups of water to cover the potatoes.

4. Season with salt and stir.

---

🔥 Step 5: Simmer and Cook

1. Cover the pan with a lid and let the curry simmer on low-medium heat.

2. Cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are soft and fully cooked.

3. Add more water if needed for a thinner gravy.

---

🌿 Step 6: Finish and Garnish

1. Once the curry reaches your desired consistency, stir in garam masala.

2. Optionally add kasuri methi and/or amchur powder for extra depth and tang.

3. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves before serving.

---

🫓 What to Serve With Aloo Matar

Aloo Matar is incredibly versatile and pairs well with:

Roti or chapati

Steamed basmati rice

Jeera rice (cumin rice)

Poori or paratha

Naan or kulcha

A side of cucumber raita, salad, or pickle

---

💡 Expert Tips and Variations

Frozen peas: If using frozen peas, add them in the last 5–7 minutes so they don’t get overcooked.

Pressure cooker method: You can also make this recipe in a pressure cooker. Cook for 2 whistles on medium flame.

Make it creamy: Add a spoonful of cream or cashew paste for a richer gravy.

No onion/garlic version: Skip the onion and garlic for a lighter, more sattvic version.

Tangy twist: Add lemon juice or yoghurt for a slight tanginess.

---

📌 SEO Keywords for Google Ranking

Make sure to use the following keywords and variations in headings, image alt-text, and meta descriptions to optimise your blog post for search engines:

how to make aloo matar

aloo matar recipe

Indian potato and pea curry

vegetarian Indian curry

easy aloo matar recipe

aloo mutter step-by-step

north Indian curry dish

aloo matar with roti

homemade aloo matar curry

how to cook aloo matar British English

---

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I use canned peas instead of fresh or frozen?

Yes, but add them at the end and don’t overcook, as they’re already soft.

Q2: Can I make this in advance?

Absolutely. Aloo Matar tastes even better the next day as the flavours develop.

Q3: Is this dish spicy?

Mild to moderate. You can adjust the chilli powder to suit your taste.

Q4: Can I add other vegetables?

Yes! Carrots, cauliflower, or paneer can be added for variety.

Q5: Is Aloo Matar healthy?

Yes. It's made with minimal oil, full of fibre from potatoes and peas, and loaded with spices that have digestive benefits.

---

📋 Nutritional Value (Approximate Per Serving)

Calories: 190–250

Protein: 6g

Carbohydrates: 25g

Fat: 8g

Fibre: 4g

Note: Values may vary based on serving size and ingredients used.

---

📝 Final Thoughts

Aloo Matar is the ultimate comfort food — warm, hearty, and deeply satisfying. Whether you’re preparing a quick weekday dinner or an indulgent weekend meal, this simple curry never fails to deliver flavour. It’s budget-friendly, nutritious, and loved by children and adults alike.

By following this British English recipe guide, you can now cook a delicious Aloo Matar curry at home with ease and authenticity. So grab your ingredients, get the pan sizzling, and enjoy a taste of India from your own kitchen. 🇮🇳🍽️

---

Author Bio:

This recipe blog was written by a food writer who celebrates authentic Indian cooking using simple language and step-by-step instructions. Bridging culinary cultures using British English for a global audience.

--- write ✍️ by foodie Parmod.