Massaman Beef curry Recipe

The Ultimate Massaman Beef Curry Recipe That Will Transport You to Thailand! – Have you ever tasted something so incredible that it haunted your dreams?

Massaman Beef Curry

Lumina Liu

Authentic Thai Massaman Beef Curry with tender beef strips, waxy potatoes, and a rich coconut sauce flavored with aromatic spices like cinnamon and lime leaves. This comforting curry is topped with roasted peanuts and served with jasmine rice for a complete meal.

4.9 from 247 votes

Prep Time 20 Minutes

Cook Time 2 Hours 10 Minutes

Total Time 2 Hours 30 Minutes

Course Beef

Cuisine Thai

Servings 4 servings

Calories 520 calories kcal

Ingredients

 

• 85g peanuts
• 400ml coconut cream
• 4 tbsp Massaman curry paste
• 600g beef stewing cuts, cut into strips
• 450g waxy potatoes
• 1 onion, cut into thin wedges
• 4 lime leaves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tbsp tamarind paste
• 1 tbsp palm sugar or soft light brown sugar
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely sliced
• Jasmine rice, to serve

Instructions

 

1. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6, then roast the peanuts on a baking tray for 5 mins until golden brown. When cool enough to handle, roughly chop. Reduce oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
2. Heat 2 tbsp coconut cream in a large casserole dish with a lid. Add the curry paste and fry for 1 min, then stir in the beef and fry until well coated and sealed.
3. 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. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook for 2 hrs in the oven until the beef is tender.
4. Sprinkle with sliced chilli and the remaining peanuts, then serve straight from the dish with jasmine rice.

Nutrition

Calories: 520.00 caloriesFat: 28.00 gCarbohydrates: 38.00 gFiber: 4.00 gProtein: 32.00 gSaturated Fat: 16.00 g

Keyword Massaman Beef Curry, Thai Curry, Beef Curry, Massaman, Thai Food, Coconut Curry

That’s exactly what happened to me after my first experience with authentic Massaman beef curry during my trip to Thailand. And trust me — I’ve been on a mission to recreate that magical moment ever since!

Today, I’m sharing my carefully perfected Massaman beef curry recipe that brings all those complex, aromatic Thai flavors right to your kitchen. No passport required!

What Makes Massaman Beef Curry So Special?

Massaman curry stands apart from other Thai curries — it’s the sophisticated, well-traveled cousin in the Thai curry family. With its Persian and Indian influences, this curry delivers a depth that’s absolutely mind-blowing.

The beauty of Massaman beef curry lies in its perfect balance. Sweet, savory, and just a touch spicy — it hits every note. The tender beef chunks practically melt in your mouth while the potatoes soak up all that incredible sauce.

And those roasted peanuts? They’re the kicker that takes this dish from great to unforgettable!

Ingredients You’ll Need For The Massaman Beef curry Recipe

Before we dive into cooking, let’s gather everything we need. I’ve organized the ingredients into categories to make your prep easier:

For the curry base:

• 400ml can coconut cream
• 4 tbsp Massaman curry paste
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 lime leaves
• 1 tbsp tamarind paste
• 1 tbsp palm or soft light brown sugar
• 1 tbsp fish sauce

For the hearty elements:

• 600g stewing beef, cut into strips
• 450g waxy potatoes
• 1 onion, cut into thin wedges
• 85g peanuts

For serving:

• 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely sliced
• Jasmine rice

Does that seem like a lot? Don’t worry! Many of these ingredients work together to create that unmistakable flavor that makes Massaman beef curry so addictive.

Preparation Steps: Building Your Flavor Foundation

Here’s how to cook it:

Step 1: Roast Those Peanuts!

This small step makes a HUGE difference — I learned this trick from a Thai chef, and I’ve never skipped it since.

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6.
2. Spread the peanuts on a baking tray.
3. Roast for 5 minutes until they’re golden brown and fragrant.
4. Once cool enough to handle, roughly chop them.

The roasting intensifies the nuttiness and adds that crucial toasty dimension that store-bought roasted peanuts just don’t have. (Been there, tried that — not the same!)

Step 2: Prepare Your Cooking Setup

After roasting the peanuts, reduce your oven temperature to 180°C/160°C fan/gas 4. We’ll be slow-cooking this curry in the oven — a technique that yields incredibly tender beef and allows the flavors to meld together perfectly.

Cooking Your Massaman Beef Curry

Here’s the details:

Creating the Curry Base

Heat 2 tablespoons of coconut cream in a large casserole dish with a lid. When it starts to simmer and separate slightly (you might see some oil forming), add the Massaman curry paste. This is where the magic begins!

Fry the paste for about a minute — you’ll know it’s ready when the aroma hits you like a wonderful wave of spices. Seriously, your neighbors might come knocking to ask what you’re cooking!

Building the Curry

Now comes the fun part:

1. Add your beef strips and fry until they’re well coated with the paste and properly sealed. This locks in all those juices for later!
2. Pour in the remaining coconut cream along with half a can of water.
3. Add the potatoes, onion wedges, lime leaves, and that fragrant cinnamon stick.
4. Stir in the tamarind paste, sugar, fish sauce, and most of the chopped peanuts (save some for garnish).

Each ingredient plays a crucial role — the tamarind brings tanginess, the sugar balances with sweetness, and the fish sauce adds that umami depth that makes you go “Mmm, what IS that?”

The Low-and-Slow Magic

Bring everything to a gentle simmer on the stovetop, then cover with the lid and transfer to your preheated oven. Let it cook undisturbed for 2 hours.

Why the oven instead of stovetop? The even heat circulation tenderizes the beef perfectly while allowing all those complex flavors to develop and meld together. After trying both methods multiple times, I’m 100% team oven for this dish!

Serving Your Massaman Curry Masterpiece

After two hours (and your home smelling absolutely divine), your Massaman beef curry is ready to shine. The beef should be fork-tender, and the sauce thick and aromatic.

Sprinkle with sliced red chilli and those remaining roasted peanuts right before serving. The fresh chilli adds a pop of color and a hint of heat that contrasts beautifully with the rich curry.

Serve straight from the dish alongside fragrant jasmine rice. The rice isn’t just a side — it’s essential for soaking up every last drop of that magnificent sauce!

Tips for Massaman Beef Curry Success

Additional tips to cook it perfectly:

Choosing the Right Beef

For the best Massaman beef curry, choose a cut that benefits from slow cooking. Chuck, brisket, or shin work beautifully — they have enough fat and connective tissue to break down and become melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Make-Ahead Magic

Here’s a little secret — Massaman beef curry actually tastes BETTER the next day! The flavors have more time to develop and mingle.

If you’re planning a dinner party, make this a day ahead and simply reheat. Your guests will be impressed, and you’ll be stress-free!

Freezer-Friendly

This curry freezes exceptionally well. I often make a double batch and freeze half in portion-sized containers for those busy weeknights when I need a homemade dinner but don’t have the time to cook.

Final Thoughts: Why This Massaman Beef Curry Recipe Works

What makes this particular Massaman beef curry recipe so special is its authenticity combined with accessibility. You don’t need to hunt down 20 exotic ingredients or spend hours grinding your own curry paste (unless you want to — which, by the way, is a fun weekend project!).

The slow cooking method ensures foolproof results every time. Even if you’re new to Thai cooking, you can create a restaurant-quality dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Have you tried making Massaman beef curry before? What’s your favorite Thai dish to cook at home? Drop me a comment below — I’d love to hear about your culinary adventures!

And if you make this recipe, please share a photo and tag @LuminaRecipes on Instagram. Nothing makes me happier than seeing you enjoy these recipes!