How to Make Beef Curry in Detail

Beef Curry, also known as Beef Masala, is a delicious Indian dish featuring tender beef pieces cooked in a rich sauce flavored with onions, tomatoes, and spices. If you’ve ever wondered about the secret behind the tender beef texture served in restaurants, then this article from Tawabel India Restaurant will teach you how to prepare Beef Curry easily using simple ingredients and clear steps. You can serve Beef Curry with steamed white rice, or if you prefer bread, you can enjoy it with naan, chapati, or roti. To complete your meal, consider serving it with a fresh vegetable salad or raita salad.

What is Beef Curry?

Beef Curry is a one-pot dish where beef is marinated and cooked with a variety of spices, herbs, onions, tomatoes, and yogurt. This dish is popular in India, and it is prepared in different ways depending on the region. The recipe we are sharing today is a general version not tied to a specific region, but it guarantees great results every time. However, you can adjust the spices to suit your taste or match your favorite regional cuisine—if you have the experience and knowledge to do so. If you are a beginner or have struggled to make Beef Curry before, it’s best to follow this recipe as it is without modifications to ensure the best results.

How to Make Beef Curry (Step by Step)

Preparing the Beef Marinade

1. In a large bowl, add the following ingredients and mix well:
   • ½ kg of beef (with or without bone), cut into 1.5 to 2-inch pieces
   • ½ tsp ground garlic + ¼ tsp ground ginger
   • 2 tbsp plain yogurt
   • ¾ teaspoon salt
   • ¼ tsp turmeric
   • 1 tsp garam masala (which typically includes a mix of cumin, coriander, cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg)
   • ½ tsp Kashmiri red chili powder (adjust to taste)
2. Cover the mixture and set it aside while you prepare the other ingredients. For best results, let the beef marinate overnight in the fridge—this helps tenderize the meat and enhance its flavor.
3. Before cooking, remove the marinated beef from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. During this time, prepare the following ingredients:
   • 1 cup finely chopped onions
   • ¾ cup chopped or pureed tomatoes
   • 1–2 chopped green chilies (optional)
   • 1 bay leaf or curry leaf

Cooking the Beef Curry

4. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or pressure cooker, then add:
   • 1 cinnamon stick (3 cm)
   • 3 green cardamom pods
   • (Optional: You can also add 2–3 cloves, 1 bay leaf, and ½ tsp cumin seeds.)
5. Add the onions and green chilies, and sauté until the onions turn golden. You don’t need to brown them completely, as they will dissolve during cooking.
6. Reduce the heat to low, then add the marinated beef.
7. Sauté the beef for 5 to 7 minutes until it starts to release its natural juices.
8. Add 2 teaspoons of meat or garaam Masala (which mainly consists of a mixture of cumin, coriander, cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg), and curry paper if you use it, and stir the mixture well.
9. When the oil begins to separate from the mixture, add chopped tomatoes.
10. Increase the heat to medium and cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Meanwhile, heat some water in a small pot.

Cooking the Beef

11. Now, add hot water to the pot:

• ¾ cup water if using a pressure cooker
• 2 cups water if cooking in a regular pot

12. If you are using a pressure cooker, close the lid and lick it over medium heat for 4 to 5 whistles, depending on the type of pot and the quality of the meat.
13. If you cook in a regular saucepan, let the curry gently boil with its coverage, and put it over medium heat until the meat becomes soft. This may take about an hour and a half, stirring every 12 to 15 minutes and add more hot water when needed.
14. After the cooking is over, open the cap and stir well; Curry taste, and you can add a little salt or garaam Masala as needed.
15. If the curry is too liquid, let it boil slightly until the texture becomes more intense; The meat should be very soft so that it is easy to dismantle with a fork and easily fall from the bone.

Serving and Garnishing

16. Garnish Beef Curry with chopped coriander, then serve it with white rice, naan, paratha, or jeera rice.

Tips for the Best Beef Curry

• Choosing the Meat: Use fresh, tender cuts from the leg, shoulder, or loin for juicy and flavorful beef.
• Bone-in Beef: Adds a richer flavor to the curry as the bone juices enhance the sauce.
• Pre-Marinating: Helps tenderize the beef and reduces cooking time.
• Adding Tomatoes at the Right Time: Do not add tomatoes or acidic ingredients before sautéing the beef, as this can make the meat tough. They should be added after browning the beef to ensure tenderness.

Now that you’ve learned how to prepare Beef Curry, are you ready to try it from our restaurant, “Tawabel India Restaurant,” or will you cook it yourself—or maybe both?