Curry is a national favourite and with good reason. Tender, succulent meat in a spicy, flavoursome sauce is a win-win any night of the week. But getting the spice balance and cooking time right, so that you end up with a rich sauce but also soft meat isn’t always easy – unless you slow cook it. So, how exactly should you prepare this favourite fakeaway and what do you need to make the perfect slow cooker beef curry?
What is beef curry?
Curry is a staple food in many countries around the world and varies massively from country to country and even region to region. Some of the most famous curries originated in India and are a clever combination of herbs and spices, meat, seafood, veggies and pulses. They range from being dry and spicy to creamy and mild – and everything in between!
Curry can also refer to dishes served throughout many countries in Asia which tend to use spice pastes, coconut milk and vegetables. They’re a widely versatile meal that can be served with many different side dishes.
Why slow cook beef curry?
Curry is not something that should be rushed. The spices need time to develop, which makes it the perfect dish to be done in a slow cooker. What’s more, slow cooking beef gives you tender meat which could otherwise become dry and chewy. It’s nutritious, filling and can be pretty healthy (and definitely healthier than your favourite takeaway)!
Curry also makes the perfect midweek or weekend meal, and it’s even better if you can put it on in the morning and leave it cooking all day. All you have to do is heat up some rice and enjoy the aromas filling up your home.
What cut of meat should you use for beef curry?
One of the best things about
making a slow-cooked beef curry is that it can work out to be fairly cheap – and that’s partly to do with the cut of meat you use. Stewing or braising steaks are great as they’re cuts from the hard-working muscles of the animal and can be quite chewy if not slow-cooked. This makes them less desirable and therefore a bit cheaper. They also cook down perfectly, retain shape and flavour, and absorb the rich curry flavours.
What should you serve with slow-cooked beef curry?
Curry is so versatile that it can be paired with many different accompaniments. Traditionally, it’s served with plain rice but spiced or flavoured rice such as pilau go really well too. Bread such as naan, chapati, bhatura and puri are perfect for mopping up the rich sauce and adding a different texture. For a lighter meal, you can also serve the curry with a fresh salad or cooked greens.
How to make slow cooker beef curry
This is a delicious, mildly spicy curry that slowly cooks for 6 hours, leaving you with tender, perfectly cooked beef in a rich and aromatic sauce.
- 800g stewing beef
- 1 Tablespoon Tomato Puree
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Puree
- 1 Teaspoon Ginger Puree
- 1 Beef Stock Pot
- 2 Red Chillis
- 2 Onions
- 2 Tablespoon Turmeric
- 2 Tablespoon Garam Masala
- 2 Tablespoon Cumin
- 2 Tablespoon Ground Coriander
- 1 Can Chopped tomatoes
For this recipe, we used 2 tbsp turmeric, 2 tbsp garam masala, 2 tbsp cumin and 2 tbsp ground coriander as the spices. Place these in a bowl and add 2 tbsp of flour and 800g of stewing beef cut up into bite-size pieces. Mix together so the beef is covered in the flour and spice mixture.
Turn your slow cooker on low. Finely chop 2 onions and 2 red chillies and add them to the pot. Add 1 tbsp of tomato puree, 1 tsp ginger puree and 1 tsp garlic puree to the onions. Add a beef stock pot and the beef, removing any extra dry spice mixture. Pour in a tin of chopped tomatoes and stir well. Leave to cook for 6 hours and you’ll be left with a deliciously rich curry.
