Slow Cooker Indian Beef Curry (Print View)
Tender beef chunks simmered with yogurt, aromatic spices, and coconut milk for a rich, warming Indian-inspired dish.
# What You Need:
→ Beef
01 - 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
→ Marinade
02 - 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
03 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
04 - 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
05 - 1 tsp salt
06 - 1 tsp ground turmeric
07 - 1 tsp ground coriander
08 - 1 tsp chili powder
→ Vegetables
09 - 2 large onions, finely sliced
10 - 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
11 - 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
12 - 2 green chilies, slit
→ Spices
13 - 2 tbsp curry powder or garam masala
14 - 1 tsp ground cumin
15 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
16 - 2 bay leaves
17 - 1 cinnamon stick
18 - 4 whole cloves
19 - 4 green cardamom pods
→ Liquids
20 - 1 cup beef broth
21 - 1 cup coconut milk
→ Finishing
22 - ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
23 - Salt and pepper, to taste
# How-To Steps:
01 - Combine beef with yogurt, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, salt, turmeric, coriander, and chili powder in a large bowl. Toss thoroughly to coat. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes, refrigerating overnight for optimal flavor penetration.
02 - Arrange onions, tomatoes, potatoes, and green chilies at the bottom of the slow cooker insert, creating an even base layer.
03 - Place the marinated beef over the vegetable layer, allowing excess marinade to coat the vegetables.
04 - Sprinkle curry powder (or garam masala), cumin, smoked paprika, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, cloves, and cardamom pods evenly over the beef.
05 - Pour beef broth and coconut milk over the ingredients. Stir gently to incorporate the liquids without disturbing the layered arrangement.
06 - Cover and cook on LOW setting for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours, until beef is fork-tender and sauce has achieved desired consistency.
07 - Discard bay leaves, cinnamon stick, cloves, and cardamom pods before serving.
08 - Taste the curry and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
09 - Sprinkle fresh cilantro over the curry and serve immediately with steamed basmati rice or warm naan bread.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while your kitchen fills with incredible aromas
- Leftovers actually taste better, making it perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd
02 -
- The yogurt marinade isnt optional, its what separates this from a basic beef stew
- Dont skip the whole spices, theyre the difference between good curry and great curry
03 -
- Trim excess fat from the chuck before marinating for a cleaner final dish
- Toast your whole spices briefly in a dry pan before adding them for even more flavor