Goan Beef Ularthiyathu with Roasted Coconut

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-02 · Updated 2026-06-02

A dry-fried beef dish from Goa, cooked with roasted coconut and spices to create a smoky, intense flavor perfect for rice or bread. This Indian-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 90 minutes, pairs beef chuck, grated coconut, dried red chilies for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb, cut into bite-sized pieces beef chuck
• 1/2 cup grated coconut
• 4 dried red chilies
• 1 tbsp coriander seeds
• 1 tsp black peppercorns
• 1 small piece cinnamon stick
• 5, minced garlic cloves
• 1-inch piece, minced ginger
• 1 large, thinly sliced onion
• 10 curry leaves
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 4 tbsp vegetable oil
• to taste salt
• 3/4 cup water

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a dry skillet over medium heat, roast 1/2 cup grated coconut until golden brown and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes. Remove and let cool.
2. Step 2: Roast 4 dried red chilies, 1 tbsp coriander seeds, 1 tsp black peppercorns, and 1 small cinnamon stick in the same skillet for 2-3 minutes until aromatic. Grind these spices with the roasted coconut to a coarse powder.
3. Step 3: Heat 4 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 large thinly sliced onion and sauté for 7-8 minutes until deep golden and caramelized.
4. Step 4: Add 5 minced garlic cloves, 1-inch minced ginger, and 10 curry leaves. Sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
5. Step 5: Add 1 lb beef pieces along with 1/2 tsp turmeric powder and salt to taste. Stir well and cook for 5 minutes to brown the beef.
6. Step 6: Add 3/4 cup water, cover the pan, and simmer on low heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour until beef is tender and water is mostly evaporated.
7. Step 7: Add the roasted coconut-spice powder and stir-fry uncovered for 5-7 minutes until the beef is coated and dry with the flavorful masala. Serve hot with steamed rice or flatbread.