Slow-Cooked Beef Curry with Coconut and Tamarind

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-24 · Updated 2026-05-24

Tender beef chunks slowly simmered in a rich coconut and tamarind curry sauce with aromatic spices and fresh herbs. This Indian-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 170 minutes, pairs beef chuck, coconut oil, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, 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

• 2 lbs, cut into 1.5-inch cubes beef chuck
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 large, finely chopped onion
• 5, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp, grated fresh ginger
• 2 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 2 tbsp tamarind paste
• 14 oz can coconut milk
• 1 cup beef broth
• 3, torn lime leaves
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

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

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp coconut oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium heat. Add 1 large chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
2. Step 2: Stir in 5 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 2 tbsp curry powder and 1 tsp ground turmeric, stirring constantly for 30 seconds to toast the spices.
4. Step 4: Add 2 lbs beef chuck cubes to the pot, browning the meat evenly on all sides for about 8 minutes.
5. Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp tamarind paste, 14 oz coconut milk, and 1 cup beef broth. Add 3 torn lime leaves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
6. Step 6: Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2 to 2.5 hours until the beef is tender and the sauce thickens.
7. Step 7: Remove lime leaves, garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and serve with steamed jasmine rice or flatbread.