Pork Meatball & Chickpea Curry with Quinoa & Cucumber Salad

Pork Meatball & Chickpea Curry with Quinoa & Cucumber Salad

Two comfort food superstars - curry and meatballs - come together in this easy weeknight dish. You'll make your own meatballs with juicy free-range British pork mince, then simmer in a creamy coconut curry, starring avibrant blend of spices and chunky chickpeas. Serve alongside a refreshing cucumber salad and fluffy quinoa for the perfect bite.

High protein 1/3 daily fibre 8 plants

Serving size

Cook time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Indian
Food group: Pork
Allergens: Mustard

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Cooking Instructions

The protein cooking time listed in this recipe has been updated.

As of December 2025, we’ve revised cooking times for all our proteins to reflect improved food safety guidance.

Check out the latest recommended times in our Cooking Guidelines.

Before you start

  • Bring a medium saucepan filled with salted water to a boil
  • Pull out a sieve, a large bowl, a medium bowl, a large frying pan & a measuring jug

Get the quinoa on & prep

  • Add the quinoa to the saucepan and boil for 13-14 mins, until cooked, then drain
  • Meanwhile, finely dice the onion. Drain and rinse the half pack of chickpeas

Make the meatballs

  • In the large bowl, combine the pork with salt and pepper. Mix and form into 10 meatballs (5 for 1 person)
  • Heat the large frying pan with 1 tsp oil on medium-high heat. Once hot, add the meatballs and cook for 3 mins, turning frequently
  • Add the onion and whole tomatoes and cook for a further 3 mins, until the veg softens and the meatballs are golden

Simmer the curry

  • Stir in the tikka paste and ginger & garlic paste and cook for 1 min
  • Add the tomato puree, chickpeas, creamed coconut and 200ml water (100ml for 1 person)
  • Bring to a boil, then simmer for 14 mins, until the sauce thickens and the meatballs are cooked through
  • Rinse the spinach, then stir into the curry in the final minute to wilt. Season with salt and pepper. Add a splash of water if it's a a little dry

Make the cucumber salad

  • Meanwhile, slice the cucumber into 1/2cm half-moons
  • Add to the medium bowl with the nigella seeds and juice from half the lemon (or to taste). Season with salt

Plate up

  • Check your meat is cooked through; it should be golden brown, steaming hot, the juices should run clear when cut and there should be no pink / rare meat inside
  • Share the meatball curry between bowls, with the quinoa and cucumber salad alongside. Serve with the remaining lemon, cut into wedges

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