Slow-Cooked Beef Rendang with Coconut and Spices

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-27 · Updated 2026-04-27

A rich and tender Indonesian-inspired beef stew simmered slowly in a fragrant blend of coconut milk and aromatic spices until deeply flavorful. This Indonesian-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 200 minutes, pairs beef chuck, cut into 2-inch cubes, coconut milk, lemongrass stalks, bruised for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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 beef chuck, cut into 2-inch cubes
• 2 cups coconut milk
• 2 lemongrass stalks, bruised
• 2 tbsp galangal, sliced
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 shallots, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 2 red chili peppers, deseeded and chopped
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 2 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tbsp palm sugar or brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 kaffir lime leaves
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 cup water

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium heat. Add 6 minced garlic cloves, 4 minced shallots, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, and 2 chopped deseeded red chili peppers. Sauté for 4 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
2. Step 2: Stir in 1 tsp turmeric powder, 2 tsp coriander powder, and 1 tsp cumin powder, cooking for 1 minute to release their aromas.
3. Step 3: Add 2 lbs beef chuck cubes and sear for 5 minutes until browned on all sides.
4. Step 4: Pour in 2 cups coconut milk and 1 cup water, then add 2 bruised lemongrass stalks, 2 tbsp sliced galangal, 4 kaffir lime leaves, 1 tbsp palm sugar, and 1 1/2 tsp salt. Stir to combine.
5. Step 5: Bring to a gentle simmer, cover partially with a lid, reduce heat to low, and cook for 3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender and the sauce thickens to a rich, aromatic gravy.