Easy beef masala- best Indian curry recipe (2024)

Try the beef masala if you want a quick and easy recipe for dinner. It’s simple to prepare and can be made faster with a pressure cooker. The delicious flavor pairs perfectly with white rotis, naans, rice, and parathas. Give it a try!

The Indian spices used in this recipe are likely already available in your kitchen pantry, especially if you like Indian cuisine. Besides, the beef masala is freezer-friendly, so you can prepare a larger batch and portion it for future consumption. The flavor will not noticeably deteriorate for up to a month.

Now let’s get into the details of how to prepare beef masala.

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1. Cut the beef

For the beef stew, it’s recommended to use rump, topside, brisket, or chuck steak instead of high-quality cuts like sirloin since the stewing or pressure-cooking process will break down the tissue, making it tender. I suggest cutting the beef into about one-inch pieces.

2. ​Brown the beef

Brown the beef over medium-high heat until both sides are golden brown will produce a better flavor, especially if you stew it on the stovetop or slow cooker subsequently.

After browning, the browned beef cubes can be stewed with spices Browning the beef during cooking adds an extra layer of flavor through a chemical reaction known as the Maillard reaction. This reaction occurs when the beef is exposed to high heat, resulting in the development of rich flavors that enhance the dish’s overall taste.

3. Prepare the spices

You need two sets of spices to prepare the beef masala. The first set contains whole spices that must be sautéed with oil to release their aroma. Saute the black pepper, cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, and cloves with vegetable oil over low heat. In addition, you can also include coriander seeds and fennel seeds as part of the spice mix. Be careful not to let the oil get too hot, as these spices can burn quickly. Once you can smell their aroma, add the sliced onions to the fragrant spices. Keep stirring until the onions become translucent and slightly browned.

Another set of spices is for stewing the beef. They are ground chili powder, chili flakes, garam masala, coriander powder, turmeric powder, paprika, and black pepper.

4. Other ingredients for the beef masala recipe

To prepare this dish, you will need garlic paste and ginger paste. You can make them from scratch or buy ready-made ginger-garlic paste conveniently. Additionally, thinly slice an onion to help thicken the gravy as it cooks. Finally, you may add chopped tomato to enhance the flavor, though this is optional.

5. Stew the beef

You can cook the beef on the stovetop using a slow or pressure cooker. While the method remains the same, the cooking time varies. Also, browning the beef is optional if you’re short on time.

Here are the steps:

1. Saute the whole spices with oil for one minute or until you smell the aroma. It’s crucial to keep the heat low to prevent any risk of burning.
2. After that, include the sliced onion in the spices and keep sauteing until the onion turns a light brown shade. It may take up to a few minutes.
3. Add beef pieces to the spice and sauté onions to cook for five minutes. The beef will be slightly brown and dry as the liquid from the onion evaporates, resulting in a more flavorful dish.
4. After the beef has become light brown, add the ginger-garlic paste and continue frying until fragrant.
5. Next, add salt, red chili powder, chili flakes, garam masala powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, paprika, and crushed black pepper to the beef. Some cooks include green cardamom and bay leaf in the spice blend for additional flavor.
6. At this point, the beef should be dry with the spices mixed in. You can add a chopped tomato or tomato paste for extra flavor.
7. To stew the beef, adding water or beef broth is recommended to elevate the taste. The quantity of liquid required is determined by how much gravy you want it to be. I prefer a thick beef masala, so I use the minimum amount of liquid needed to cook the beef. If you prefer a thinner sauce, add more water, and adjust the saltiness accordingly.
8. Now stew the beef until tender. Pressure-cooked beef produces better texture, color, and tenderness than slow cook beef.
9. Once the beef cubes have become tender, add the yogurt and cook for five minutes.
10. Finally, transfer the beef masala to a serving dish and sprinkle some coriander as garnish before presenting it.

6. Cook’s note for the beef masala:

1. One useful tip for preparing beef masala is to use a pressure cooker/Instant Pot. This method can significantly reduce the cooking time and also helps to brown the meat due to the high temperature inside the cooker. Slow cooking does not cause browning.
2. You can switch up your beef masala recipe by adding a touch of lemon zest during the final cooking stage.
3. While I prefer yogurt, you should experiment with coconut milk for a unique twist on the classic dish.
4. I also suggest doing a taste test before finishing cooking the beef. Now you can adjust the taste according to your preference. Adding some ground cayenne pepper if you can take the heat or more gram masala and ground cumin to enhance the taste.

Beef masala is an easy beef curry best served with rice or naan bread.

While beef is not commonly consumed in India, some Indian restaurants in various countries serve beef dishes. We found this particular beef recipe at an Indian restaurant during our stay in New Zealand and decided to share it. It’s worth noting that the restaurant offers a variety of meat options to cater to different preferences

7. Related recipes for beef masala

I want to share some of my favorite recipes if you love spicy food. Here are my top picks:

1. Beef Rendang: This dish was the top seller on the menu at our former restaurant. It boasts a rich and deep savory flavor derived from the aromatic spices.
2. Sichuan Boiled Beef: Prepare for a fiery culinary experience. The beef is served with a flavorful broth and encompasses all the quintessential elements of Sichuan-style cuisine. Don’t miss out on trying it!
3. Malaysian-Style Easy Chicken Curry: Made with local spices and accompanied by potatoes, it is a staple in Malaysian households and will surely please your taste buds.