Description
This Slow Cooker Beef Curry is a rich and flavorful dish that combines tender chuck roast with aromatic spices and creamy coconut milk. Perfectly slow-cooked to develop deep, comforting flavors, it’s an easy and satisfying meal that feeds a family with minimal hands-on time.
Ingredients
Beef and Seasoning
- 3 Pounds chuck roast, cut into 1 ½-inch thick cubes
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 teaspoons freshly minced ginger
- 5 cloves garlic, freshly minced
Spices and Pastes
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 3 tablespoons red curry paste
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Liquids and Fats
- 2 to 3 tablespoons cooking oil
- 14 ½ ounces petite diced tomatoes
- 13 ½ ounces unsweetened full-fat coconut milk (or heavy cream)
Thickening Agent and Garnish
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons cold water
- Freshly chopped cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Season the Beef: Pat the chuck roast cubes dry with paper towels, then season them evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Heat the Skillet: Place a skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil, allowing it to warm up for searing.
- Sear the Meat: In batches, sear the seasoned beef cubes in the hot skillet until browned on all sides, adding more oil as needed to prevent sticking.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Move the seared beef cubes into the slow cooker, creating a base for the curry.
- Add Aromatics: Layer the minced garlic, ginger, and diced onion over the beef to build aroma and flavor depth.
- Add Liquids and Spices: Pour in the coconut milk and diced tomatoes, then stir in the red curry paste, ground cumin, garam masala, and cayenne pepper. Season further with salt and black pepper if desired.
- Prepare Thickener: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth to help thicken the curry sauce.
- Add Thickener to Slow Cooker: Pour the cornstarch mixture into the slow cooker and stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 to 6 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours, until the beef is tender and infused with the curry flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Serve the beef curry hot, garnished with freshly chopped cilantro for a fresh herbal finish.
Notes
- For a richer curry, you can substitute heavy cream for the coconut milk.
- If you prefer a less spicy dish, reduce or omit the cayenne pepper.
- Brown the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which ensures proper searing and better flavor.
- The cornstarch slurry helps achieve a thicker, more luxurious curry sauce; don’t skip this step.
- This curry tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Indian Fusion
