Description
This Slow Cooker Beef Curry is a rich and flavorful dish featuring tender beef chuck simmered with fragrant spices, coconut milk, and tomatoes. Perfect for an effortless weeknight dinner, it combines Indian-inspired curry flavors with the convenience of slow cooking, resulting in a hearty, comforting meal that’s easy to prepare and delicious to serve.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Spices
- 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons curry powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Aromatics and Liquids
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Additional Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef cubes in batches, browning all sides for about 5–7 minutes total to develop depth of flavor. Then transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker.
- Sauté Aromatics and Spices: In the same skillet, cook chopped onion until softened, about 3–4 minutes. Add minced garlic, grated ginger, curry powder, ground cumin, turmeric, paprika, and cayenne pepper if using. Stir and cook for 1 minute until the spices are aromatic.
- Add Tomato Paste: Stir in tomato paste to the skillet and cook for another 30 seconds, allowing it to caramelize slightly, enhancing the richness of the curry base.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Transfer the sautéed mixture into the slow cooker with the beef. Add diced tomatoes, beef broth, coconut milk, and brown sugar. Stir everything together to combine all flavors evenly.
- Slow Cook the Curry: Cover and cook on low heat for 7–8 hours or on high for 4–5 hours, until the beef is tender and infused with the curry flavors. This slow cooking tenderizes the meat beautifully and melds the spices.
- Finish and Serve: Season the curry with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped cilantro. It pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or warm naan bread.
Notes
- Serve the curry over rice or with warm naan bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- You can add vegetables like potatoes or carrots halfway through cooking for extra heartiness.
- For a spicier curry, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add a chopped fresh chili.
