Slow-Cooked Bengali Beef Curry with Warm Spices

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-25 · Updated 2026-04-25

Tender beef chunks slow-simmered in a rich, aromatic Bengali spice blend with onions and tomatoes, perfect for a comforting meal. This indian-inspired beef ready in about 140 minutes pairs beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes, mustard oil, onions, finely sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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

• 600 g beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 4 tbsp mustard oil
• 2 medium (300 g) onions, finely sliced
• 1 tbsp ginger paste
• 1 tbsp garlic paste
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 2 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 2 medium (200 g) tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cups water
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 small piece cinnamon stick
• 3 green cardamom pods
• 3 cloves

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 4 tbsp mustard oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add 1 bay leaf, 1 small cinnamon stick, 3 green cardamom pods, and 3 cloves, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add 2 finely sliced medium onions (300 g) to the pot, cooking over medium heat for 10 minutes until golden brown and caramelized.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tbsp ginger paste and 1 tbsp garlic paste, cooking for 2 minutes until aromatic.
4. Step 4: Add 1 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp red chili powder, 2 tsp coriander powder, and 1 tsp cumin powder, stirring continuously for 1 minute to toast the spices.
5. Step 5: Add 600 g beef stew meat cubes and 1.5 tsp salt, searing for 5 minutes until the meat browns on all sides.
6. Step 6: Mix in 2 chopped medium tomatoes (200 g), cooking for 5 minutes until soft and saucy.
7. Step 7: Pour in 2 cups water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours until the beef is tender and the sauce thickens.
8. Step 8: Adjust seasoning as needed and serve hot with steamed rice or flatbread.