Melt-in-Your-Mouth Slow Cooked Beef Massaman Curry Recipe

Massaman curry represents a harmonious blend of rich, aromatic spices that dance across your palate with incredible depth.

Thai culinary traditions infuse this remarkable dish with complex layers of flavor and tender meat textures.

The slow cooking method changes tough beef cuts into melt-in-your-mouth morsels that absorb an incredible symphony of traditional seasonings.

Fragrant ingredients like cinnamon, cardamom, and star anise create a warm, inviting profile that whispers of distant cultural connections.

Coconut milk provides a luxurious backdrop, softening bold spice combinations and creating a silky sauce that envelops each ingredient.

Regional influences from Persian and Indian cuisines shine through in this beloved Southeast Asian recipe, offering a delightful culinary journey.

Each spoonful promises a sensory experience that bridges geographic boundaries and celebrates intricate flavor combinations.

Why Slow Cooked Beef Massaman Curry Is So Satisfying

• Savor Complex Flavor Layers: Homemade Massaman paste creates a rich, multi-dimensional taste experience with earthy spices, aromatic lemongrass, and deep umami undertones that dance on your palate.
• Enjoy Tender Melt-in-Your-Mouth Meat: Slow cooking for nearly two hours transforms tough beef into incredibly soft, succulent pieces that practically dissolve with each gentle bite.
• Celebrate Convenient One-Pot Comfort: This hearty curry requires minimal active cooking time, allowing you to prepare a restaurant-quality meal with simple steps and minimal kitchen cleanup while filling your home with incredible aromas.
• Experience Balanced Texture Harmony: Creamy coconut milk, soft potatoes, and perfectly browned beef create a delightful contrast of textures that makes each spoonful exciting and satisfying.

What You Need for Slow Cooked Beef Massaman Curry

• Red Onion, Mild Red Chillies: Aromatic base providing depth and mild heat to the curry, choose fresh and firm vegetables..
• Ground Coriander, Cumin, Ground Cinnamon, White Pepper: Warm spices creating complex flavor profile, ensure they are fresh and fragrant..
• Garlic, Lemongrass, Ginger: Intense aromatics adding brightness and depth, select firm and vibrant ingredients..
• Shrimp Paste, Fish Sauce: Umami-rich condiments enhancing savory notes, check for gluten-free options..
• Brown Sugar: Balances heat and adds subtle sweetness, use high-quality unrefined sugar..
• Fresh Coriander Stalks, Salt: Herbal undertones and seasoning, choose bright green stalks..

• Vegetable Oil: Neutral cooking fat for sautéing and building flavor, use fresh oil..
• Cornflour: Thickening agent for smooth sauce texture, ensure it's gluten-free..
• Braising Beef (Beef Chuck): Tender meat cut perfect for slow cooking, select well-marbled meat..
• Beef Stock: Liquid base adding rich flavor, use gluten-free bouillon cubes..
• Coconut Milk: Creamy foundation creating rich curry sauce, choose full-fat version..

• Baby New Potatoes: Starchy vegetable adding heartiness, select small and firm potatoes..
• Lime: Bright acidic component for balancing flavors, choose juicy fresh lime..
• Boiled Rice, Fresh Coriander, Red Chillies,.

Instructions for Making Beef Massaman Curry in a Slow Cooker

Step 1: Create Spicy Flavor Base

• Fresh lemongrass
• Red chilies
• Garlic cloves
• Shallots
• Ginger
• Coriander seeds
• Cumin seeds
• Cardamom pods

Blend all ingredients in a food processor until smooth and fragrant. The paste will create deep, complex flavors for the curry.

Step 2: Prepare Beef for Cooking

Trim beef and cut into bite-sized chunks.

• Cornstarch
• Salt
• Black pepper

Heat oil in a large skillet. Brown beef pieces for 4-5 minutes until golden and sealed, creating delicious caramelized edges.

Step 3: Build Curry Foundation

Add prepared Massaman paste to browned beef.

Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes to release aromatic spices.

• Beef stock
• Coconut milk

Reduce heat and cover. Simmer gently for 1 hour and 45 minutes, allowing meat to become incredibly tender.

Step 4: Add Hearty Vegetables

Introduce diced potatoes to the simmering curry.

Cook for additional 25-30 minutes until potatoes are soft and absorbing curry flavors.

Step 5: Finish with Bright Notes

Squeeze fresh lime juice into curry.

• Chopped cilantro
• Sliced red chilies
• Lime wedges

Serve over steamed jasmine rice for a complete meal.

Cooking Tips for Flavorful and Tender Massaman Curry

• Nail the Paste Consistency: Blend ingredients until ultra-smooth for a rich, deeply flavored base that ensures maximum taste absorption.
• Master the Meat Browning: Pat beef dry before coating with cornflour to achieve a perfect golden-brown exterior that locks in incredible juiciness.
• Control Slow Cooking Temperature: Keep the heat low and steady to guarantee tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef that absorbs all the complex curry flavors.
• Balance Spice and Creaminess: Taste and adjust coconut milk and spice paste ratio to create a harmonious, creamy curry without overwhelming heat.
• Elevate with Fresh Garnishes: Chop coriander and chillies just before serving to add vibrant freshness and a zesty contrast to the rich, slow-cooked curry.

How to Store and Reheat Massaman Curry Without Drying Out

• Refrigeration: Store leftover Massaman curry in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. Cool the curry completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freezing: Transfer the curry to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring the beef and potatoes remain tender when thawed.
• Reheating: Warm the curry gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of coconut milk or beef stock to restore moisture and maintain the original creamy consistency. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety, and enjoy your delicious curry just like the first serving.

What to Serve with Slow Cooked Massaman Curry

• Pair with Jasmine Rice Symphony: Soft, fragrant jasmine rice creates the perfect canvas for absorbing the curry's rich, complex flavors. Its delicate texture complements the tender beef and helps balance the spicy undertones.
• Refresh with Thai Singha Beer Harmony: A crisp, cold Singha beer cuts through the curry's richness, providing a clean, hoppy contrast that cleanses the palate between each spicy, aromatic bite. Its light character prevents overwhelming the dish's subtle spice profile.
• Cool Down with Cucumber Raita Companion: A zesty cucumber raita offers a cooling counterpoint to the warm, spicy curry. Its creamy yogurt base and fresh cucumber provide a refreshing contrast that helps temper the dish's intense flavors and adds a delightful textural element.
• Enhance with Mango Sticky Rice Finale: End the meal with traditional mango sticky rice, its sweet, creamy nature perfectly balancing the savory, spicy curry. The tropical sweetness of ripe mangoes creates a delightful flavor closure to the dining experience.

Ways to Add Variety to Beef Massaman Curry

• Lamb Massaman Fusion: Swap beef with tender lamb for a rich, gamey flavor profile that complements the warming spices. Lamb's natural richness works wonderfully with the creamy coconut base.
• Vegetarian Thai Delight: Replace beef with chunky sweet potatoes, cauliflower, and chickpeas for a hearty plant-based version. Roast the vegetables beforehand to intensify their natural sweetness and texture.
• Chicken Lightened Curry: Use skinless chicken thighs instead of beef for a lighter protein option. Reduce cooking time to 45 minutes as chicken cooks faster than beef, maintaining the curry's complex spice layers.
• Seafood Southeast Asian Version: Incorporate large prawns or white fish during the final 15 minutes of cooking for a coastal-inspired interpretation. Delicate seafood absorbs the curry's aromatic spices without becoming tough.

Slow Cooked Beef Massaman Curry Recipe

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Massaman curry from Thailand delivers rich, tender beef braised in creamy coconut sauce with warm spices. Potatoes and roasted peanuts complete this comforting dish you’ll savor with steamed jasmine rice.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 kg braising beef (beef chuck), chopped into chunks
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled

Spices and Aromatics:

• 2 tsp ground coriander
• 2 tsp cumin
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp white pepper
• 2 sticks of lemongrass, inner parts finely chopped
• 1 tsp minced ginger
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 3 mild red chillies, roughly chopped
• 1 small bunch of fresh coriander stalks

Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1.5 tablespoons cornflour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 400 milliliters (13.5 fluid ounces) beef stock
• 400 grams (14 ounces) can coconut milk
• 1 teaspoon shrimp paste (optional, check for gluten-free)
• 3 teaspoons fish sauce (ensure gluten-free)
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 500 grams (17.6 ounces) baby new potatoes, halved if large
• Juice of 1 lime

Garnish and Serving:

• Boiled rice
• Chopped fresh coriander
• Chopped red chillies
• Lime wedges

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Instructions

1. Craft a vibrant Massaman paste by thoroughly blending aromatic ingredients in a food processor until achieving a cohesive, fragrant mixture that forms the flavor foundation of this complex curry.
2. Season the beef with cornflour, salt, and pepper, then sear in a hot pan until developing a rich, golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture and creates depth of flavor.
3. Lower the cooking temperature and introduce the spice paste, thoroughly coating the meat and allowing the spices to bloom and release their essential oils for maximum taste intensity.
4. Pour in beef stock and coconut milk, creating a luxurious liquid base that will gently tenderize the meat during an extended, slow-cooking process.
5. Cover the pan and allow the curry to simmer at a low temperature, periodically stirring to prevent sticking and ensure even flavor distribution throughout the dish.
6. After approximately 90 minutes of gentle cooking, incorporate whole potatoes into the curry, enabling them to absorb the intricate spice profile while becoming perfectly tender.
7. Squeeze fresh lime juice into the curry, providing a bright, acidic contrast that cuts through the rich, creamy sauce and elevates the overall taste experience.
8. Plate the Massaman curry over steamed jasmine rice, garnishing with fresh coriander leaves, sliced red chillies, and lime wedges to enhance both visual appeal and flavor complexity.

Notes

• Create restaurant-quality texture by coating beef in cornflour and browning it to seal in succulent juices and develop deep, rich caramelization.
• Tenderize beef through patient slow cooking, allowing complex spices and creamy coconut milk.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg