Spicy Cape Malay Beef Curry

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-11 · Updated 2026-06-11

A fragrant and spicy South African-style beef curry with warm spices and a rich tomato base. This African-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 90 minutes, pairs beef stew meat, onion, garlic cloves 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

• 1 lb, cubed beef stew meat
• 1 large, diced onion
• 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp, minced ginger
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 whole cinnamon stick
• 2 cups beef stock
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 medium, peeled and cubed potatoes
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup chopped for garnish fresh coriander
• 1 tsp (optional for heat) chili powder

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

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottom pot over medium heat. Add 1 tsp cumin seeds and 1 whole cinnamon stick, toasting for 1 minute until aromatic.
2. Step 2: Add 1 large diced onion, sauté for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
3. Step 3: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger, cooking for 2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Mix in 2 tbsp tomato paste, 2 tbsp curry powder, 1 tsp ground turmeric, and 1 tsp chili powder if using; cook for 1 minute to release flavors.
5. Step 5: Add 1 lb cubed beef and 1 1/2 tsp salt, browning the meat on all sides for 5-7 minutes.
6. Step 6: Pour in 2 cups beef stock and bring to a simmer, scraping any browned bits from the pot.
7. Step 7: Add 2 peeled and cubed medium potatoes, cover, and simmer gently for 1 hour until beef is tender and sauce thickens.
8. Step 8: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh coriander before serving.