MASSAMAN CURRY WITH BEEF
Massaman Curry with Beef is a soul-satisfying dish that brings the warmth of Thai comfort food to your plate with its mild yet intensely fragrant curry base. This rich, slow-simmered dish features tender chunks of beef, fish sauce and creamy coconut milk infused with nutty and slightly sweet notes. Potatoes add heartiness and help absorb the spiced curry, creating a beautiful balance of flavour and texture. Massaman curry is influenced by Thai and Persian cuisines, resulting in a unique blend of aromatic and comforting spices. This single-serving version is ideal for solo dining and can be made quickly with minimal ingredients. Whether preparing a cosy lunch or a relaxed dinner, this dish offers restaurant-quality taste in a simple home-cooked format. It’s delicious or served with jasmine rice for a complete meal.
RECIPE CATEGORY
Main Course
SERVING SIZE
1
CUISINE
Thai
PREPARATION/TECHNIQUES
Simmer
OCCASION/HOLIDAY
Casual Dinner
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION/DIETARY CONCERNS
Quick & Easy
DISH TYPE
Soup / Stew
INGREDIENTS
Here is a list of ingredients for Massaman Curry with Beef:
- ¼ cup beef diced
- ½ cup coconut milk
- ½ teaspoon massaman curry paste
- ¼ cup potatoes, diced
- ½ teaspoon fish sauce
FULL NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
- Calories: 301.2 kcal
- Protein:10.9 g
- Fat: 25.9 g
- Saturated Fat: 22.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 10.4 g
- Sugars: 0.5 g
- Fibre: 0.9 g
- Sodium: 293.6 mg
- Cholesterol: 22.3 mg
- Calcium: 33.3 mg
- Iron: 4.9 mg
- Potassium: 558.3 mg
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
PREPARATION
These steps are followed for the preparation of Massaman Curry with Beef:
- Prep The Ingredients: Dice the beef and potatoes into small and even cubes to ensure quick and uniform cooking.
- Heat The Curry Paste: In a small saucepan over medium heat, add 1–2 tablespoons of the coconut milk and stir in the Massaman curry paste. Cook for 1–2 minutes until aromatic.
- Add The Beef: Stir in the diced beef and cook for 2–3 minutes, allowing it to brown slightly while absorbing the curry paste.
- Pour In Coconut Milk: Add the remaining coconut milk to the pan and stir well to combine all the flavours.
- Simmer With Potatoes: Add the diced potatoes and bring the curry to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 10–12 minutes until beef and potatoes are tender.
- Season With Fish Sauce: Stir in the fish sauce and taste for balance. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Finish And Serve: Once everything is cooked and the sauce has thickened slightly, remove from heat and serve hot with steamed rice.
PREP TIME
5 minutes
COOKING TIME
15 minutes
TIPS
- Use Tender Cuts: Choose a quick-cooking and tender cut like sirloin or flank steak for fast prep.
- Simmer Gently: Low and slow cooking ensures tender beef and prevents the coconut milk from separating.
- Cut Even Sizes: Dice the beef and potatoes uniformly for even cooking and better presentation.
- Stir The Paste First: Blooming the curry paste in coconut milk enhances the depth of flavour.
- Cover While Cooking: This helps the potatoes cook faster and keeps moisture in the sauce.
VARIATIONS
- Make It Vegetarian: Substitute beef with tofu or chickpeas and use a vegetarian fish sauce alternative.
- Add Vegetables: Include carrots, onions or green beans to add texture and nutrients.
- Nutty Twist: Stir in a spoonful of peanut butter or top with crushed peanuts for added richness.
- Spice It Up: Increase the curry paste or add a pinch of cayenne pepper for more heat.
- Serve Over Noodles: Use cooked rice noodles instead of rice for a creative twist.
- Low-Fat Option: Use light coconut milk to reduce fat content while maintaining flavour.
- Sweeten Slightly: Add a pinch of brown sugar or palm sugar for a classic Thai flavour profile.
- Gluten-Free Version: Ensure curry paste and fish sauce are certified gluten-free if needed.
PREPPING AND STORAGE
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Freezing: Freeze for up to 2 months. Allow to cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container.
- Thawing: Defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat until hot through.
- Meal Prep Tip: Make a double batch and divide it into containers with rice for easy grab-and-go meals.
- Coconut Milk Note: Stir well before using and refrigerate leftovers in a sealed jar for up to 5 days.