Indian Beef Curry
This Indian Beef Curry recipe delivers a hearty, aromatic, and flavorful dish featuring tender beef simmered in a rich, spiced tomato and onion sauce. Easy to prepare and packed with authentic Indian spices, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests with minimal effort, offering a comforting meal that tastes even better the next day.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop Simmering
- Cuisine: Indian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Meat
- 1 to 1.5 lbs beef chuck or stew meat, cut into chunks
Aromatics
- 2 medium onions, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp garlic and ginger paste
Spices
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp red chili powder or paprika (adjust to taste)
Other Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh or canned diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp cooking oil (vegetable, mustard, or olive oil)
- Salt to taste
- 1 cup water or beef broth (enough to just cover the beef)
- Optional: 1/4 cup yogurt or coconut milk for creaminess
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
- Prepare the Aromatics: Heat oil in a deep pan over medium heat. Add finely chopped onions and sauté until golden brown. Stir in the garlic and ginger paste and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, to build a rich flavor base.
- Toast the Spices: Add cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, and red chili powder to the onion mixture. Stir continuously for about 30 seconds to toast the spices gently and release their aroma without burning.
- Add Tomatoes and Simmer: Pour in diced tomatoes and cook down for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens and develops a luscious texture, creating a perfect balance of acidity and sweetness.
- Brown the Beef: Increase the heat and add beef chunks. Stir to coat each piece with the spiced tomato mixture and brown the beef for several minutes to develop flavor.
- Simmer to Tenderness: Add water or beef broth until beef is just covered. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 45-60 minutes or until the meat is tender, stirring occasionally and adding more liquid if needed to maintain a stew-like consistency.
- Final Touches: Optionally stir in yogurt or coconut milk for creaminess and to mellow the spices. Adjust salt to taste. Finish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped cilantro for a vibrant, fresh flavor.
Notes
- Choose beef chuck for the best slow-cooking results as it becomes tender and flavorful.
- Do not rush browning the beef to seal in juices and deepen the flavor.
- Toast spices carefully to prevent burning, which can cause bitterness.
- Simmer the curry on low heat to break down tough fibers and achieve melt-in-the-mouth texture.
- Allow the curry to rest for 10 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld beautifully.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Indian Beef Curry, Indian Curry, Beef Stew, Indian Spiced Beef, Comfort Food, Slow Cooked Beef