Beef Massaman Curry (Authentic Thai Recipe)
Learn how to make easy and authentic Thai beef massaman curry today. The quick and easy version, using tender cuts beef rather than stewing beef, makes this recipe a perfect dinner you can put together in 40 minutes!
- Prep time
- 10 min
- Cook time
- 30 min
- Yield
- 6 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
- 1 cinnamon stick (5-6 inch pieces)
- 3 whole brown cardamom
- 3 whole star anise
- 2 tbsp grapeseed oil
- 2.5 tbsp massaman curry paste. More or less as preferred.
- 1 cup coconut cream.
- 1-14 oz can of coconut milk.
- 1 lb beef (top round steak, sirloin, or chuck), cut against the grain into 2-inch long pieces.
- 1 medium onion, sliced long and thin, 1/2-inch wide pieces
- 3 large whole bay leaves
- 1 lb Yukon gold potatoes (2 large potatoes). Cubed 1.5-inch pieces.
- 1/2 cup peanuts, coarsely ground unsalted peanuts.
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp fish sauce.
- 1 tbsp tamarind sauce.
- 1/3 cup water or as needed
Instructions
- 1
In a frying pan, dry roast the spices (cinnamon, cardamom, star anise) on low heat until fragrant. Toast anywhere from 2-4 minutes. Keep a close eye on the spices to not burn them.
- 2
Heat a Dutch oven or a large pot until warm on medium heat. Add oil and the Massaman curry paste. Stir the oil, and the curry paste together to break up the clumps for 1 minute or less.
- 3
Add the coconut cream and cook until the cream separates (when the cream looks oil). It takes about 2-3 minutes. Stir a couple of times, but keep a close watch on the paste to not let it burn. Once you see the bubbles forming, it's ready for the next step. You should have nice creamy light orange/yellow massaman curry sauce.
- 4
Add beef and turn the heat down slightly. Cook for 5 minutes.
- 5
Add the coconut milk, potatoes, and onion. Give it a good stir and cook for 10 minutes. Add a little water or more coconut milk if your curry looks dried up. Adjust your curry with more fish sauce, palm sugar, and tamarind if adding more water.
- 6
Add the peanuts, the toasted spices, sugar, fish sauce, and water. Stir well. Also, check to see if the potatoes are tender with a fork. Cook for 5 more minutes.
- 7
Add tamarind sauce, stir well together, and give it a taste to adjust as desired using fish sauce, sugar, and tamarind sauce. Add a small amount, stir, and sample until your taste buds are happy. Serve with your favorite white rice like jasmine or basmati! Enjoy this delicious Southern Thai curry!