BeefThai

Massaman Beef Curry

Name: Massaman Beef Curry
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 85g Peanuts; 400ml can Coconut cream; 4 tbsp Massaman curry paste; 600g stewing cut into strips Beef; 450g waxy Potatoes; 1 cut thin wedges Onion; 4 leaves Lime; 1 Cinnamon stick; 1 tbsp Tamarind paste; 1 tbsp palm or soft light Brown sugar; 1 tbsp Fish Sauce; 1 red deseeded and finely sliced, to serve chilli; to serve Jasmine Rice

Massaman Beef Curry is a classic Thai dish that holds a distinguished place in traditional cooking. Celebrated for its wholesome ingredients and time-honored preparation, this dish brings authentic regional character to the home kitchen.

Carefully prepared featuring Peanuts, Coconut cream, Massaman curry paste, Beef, Potatoes, Onion, Lime, Cinnamon stick, Tamarind paste, Brown sugar, Fish Sauce, chilli and Jasmine Rice, the ingredients are simmered and seasoned to achieve a satisfying depth of flavor. True to traditional Thai cooking, the dish focuses on celebrated for its harmonious balance of sweet, sour, salty, and aromatic heat.

In authentic Thai tradition, Massaman Beef Curry is best presented with fragrant jasmine rice and fresh cooling herbs.

If you enjoy authentic Thai cooking, be sure to also explore our recipe for Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao).

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Ingredients

Peanuts85g
Coconut cream400ml can
Massaman curry paste4 tbsp
Beef600g stewing cut into strips
Potatoes450g waxy
Onion1 cut thin wedges
Lime4 leaves
Cinnamon stick1
Tamarind paste1 tbsp
Brown sugar1 tbsp palm or soft light
Fish Sauce1 tbsp
chilli1 red deseeded and finely sliced, to serve
Jasmine Riceto serve

Step-by-Step Instructions

8 steps

Interactive Cook Mode: Click any step or circle to check it off as you cook.

Step 1🥧 Bake⏱️ 5 mins

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6, then roast the peanuts on a baking tray for 5 mins until golden brown.

Step 2🔪 Prep

When cool enough to handle, roughly chop.

Step 3

Reduce oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.

Step 4

Heat 2 tbsp coconut cream in a large casserole dish with a lid.

Step 5🍳 Fry⏱️ 1 min

Add the curry paste and fry for 1 min, then stir in the beef and fry until well coated and sealed.

Step 6🥄 Mix

Stir in the rest of the coconut with half a can of water, the potatoes, onion, lime leaves, cinnamon, tamarind, sugar, fish sauce and most of the peanuts.

Step 7🍲 Simmer⏱️ 2 hrs

Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook for 2 hrs in the oven until the beef is tender.

Step 8✨ Serve

Sprinkle with sliced chilli and the remaining peanuts, then serve straight from the dish with jasmine rice.

👨‍🍳 Chef's Culinary Notes

Cultural Heritage

Massaman Beef Curry reflects the timeless heritage of traditional Thai home cooking, celebrated for its harmonious balance of sweet, sour, salty, and aromatic heat. Prepared for generations for family gatherings and celebrations, it represents the heart of regional culinary identity.

Dietary Substitutions

For a richer sauce, replace a portion of the water with homemade bone broth, vegetable stock, or a splash of dry wine or red wine vinegar to cut through richness.

Chef Technique Tips

Take the time to thoroughly sear and brown peanuts in batches before adding the braising liquid. The caramelized fond deposited on the bottom of the pot dissolves into the stew, providing depth and body that cannot be rushed.

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