Thai Massaman Beef Curry (30 Minutes)

Send it straight to your inbox, and cook it when you're ready!

Print

This aromatic dish is bursting with flavors that will transport you straight to the streets of Bangkok. With tender slices of beef, fragrant spices, and a rich, creamy sauce, this curry offers a perfect blend of sweet, savory, and slightly spicy notes. The unique combination of ingredients, such as lemongrass, peanuts, and tamarind paste, gives this dish its distinctive taste. Let’s get cooking!

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 lb beef, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons Massaman curry paste
  • 1 can coconut milk
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 2 potatoes, cubed
  • 1 carrot, sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon tamarind paste
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 cup roasted peanuts
  • 1/4 cup Thai basil
  • Fresh cilantro, for garnish
  • Steamed rice, for serving

Instructions

  1. Heat a large pan over medium heat and add a tablespoon of oil. Sauté the onions until they turn translucent, then add the Massaman curry paste and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  2. Add the beef slices to the pan and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Stir in the coconut milk, fish sauce, tamarind paste, and brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  3. Add the potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers to the pan. Cover and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the beef is cooked through.
  4. Stir in the roasted peanuts and basil and let it simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes.
  5. Serve the Massaman beef curry over steamed rice, garnished with fresh cilantro.

Notes

For a thinner curry, feel free to dial back on the amount of coconut milk. For a thicker curry, add more. Thai basil works best but if you can’t find that, feel free to swap in Italian bail. This dish pairs well with a side of steamed jasmine rice and a refreshing cucumber salad. The cooling effect of the cucumber complements the rich and flavorful curry. For an extra kick, you can serve it with a side of spicy chili sauce or a squeeze of lime juice. This recipe can be easily doubled for larger gatherings. Enjoy!

*Please keep in mind that the following nutritional information is based on estimates and can vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients used.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 425
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 540mg
  • Fat: 24g
  • Carbohydrates: 24g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Protein: 32g
  • Cholesterol: 80mg

Hi, I'm Alaina! As a busy mom of two, I'm tired of always wondering "what's for dinner?" That's why I created this website; to share easy and tasty recipe ideas the whole family will love. If you're not subscribed yet, join 47,098 others here - thanks for stopping by!