Slow Cooker Beef Curry (Printable Version)
A rich and aromatic beef dish, slow-cooked for meltingly tender meat and a deeply flavorful sauce. Perfect for a comforting meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef
01 - 2 pounds stewing beef, cut into 1½-inch cubes
→ Vegetables and Aromatics
02 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
05 - 2 medium carrots, sliced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, chopped
07 - 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
→ Curry Base and Spices
08 - 2 tablespoons curry powder (mild or medium, to taste)
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - 1 teaspoon ground coriander
11 - ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
12 - ½ teaspoon paprika
13 - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
14 - 1 teaspoon salt
15 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
→ Liquids
16 - 1 cup beef broth
17 - 1 can (14 ounces) coconut milk
→ Finishing
18 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
19 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
20 - Cooked basmati rice, to serve
# Step-by-Step:
01 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sear the stewing beef in batches until well-browned on all sides. This step is optional but highly recommended for a richer flavor. Transfer the seared beef to the slow cooker.
02 - Add the finely chopped onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger to the slow cooker. Layer with sliced carrots, chopped red bell pepper, and the can of diced tomatoes.
03 - Sprinkle the curry powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground turmeric, paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper evenly over the ingredients in the slow cooker.
04 - Stir in the beef broth, coconut milk, and tomato paste until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
05 - Cover the slow cooker and cook on the LOW setting for 8 hours, or on the HIGH setting for 4 hours, until the beef is meltingly tender and the curry sauce has thickened to your preference.
06 - Taste the curry and adjust the seasoning as needed to suit your palate.
07 - Serve the hot beef curry over a bed of fluffy basmati rice, garnished with fresh cilantro.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You'll be amazed at how incredibly tender the beef becomes, practically melting in your mouth with every bite.
- The layers of flavor develop effortlessly over hours, creating a complex, aromatic sauce that tastes like you spent all day fussing over it, when you really didn't.
02 -
- Don't skip browning the beef—it adds a foundational depth of flavor that a slow cooker alone can't achieve.
- Resist the urge to constantly open the slow cooker lid, as each peek releases heat and significantly prolongs the cooking time.
03 -
- Before adding any liquid, let the spices toast briefly with the seared beef and aromatics for about a minute; this truly awakens their flavors.
- Allow the curry to rest for about 10-15 minutes after cooking before serving; this allows the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to further meld.