4 ingredient beef curry. An amazing dish with minimal ingredients but loaded with flavor. This curry only requires 4 simple, fresh ingredients, and no store bought curry paste for the incredible taste. Make it over stovetop, slow cooker or instant pot, and serve with your favorite flavored rice or naan. Unbelievably easy to make and totally delicious!
Why I Love This Easy Curry
No matter how hectic your day is, a warm bowl of curry is bound to make you feel cozy. While most recipes call for endless list of ingredients, an easy recipe with minimal spices and few ingredients is a boon to busy home cooks. To be exact, you don’t even need to open your spice drawer to whip up this minimalist curry, as the only spice you will need is red pepper (chili) flakes. Yes, it’s a simple recipe apt for everyday cooking.
And the secret ingredient? Shallots . Simply slice them thinly, and once cooked, it will make beautiful thick sauce with the juice from beef. The third element of the curry, red pepper (chili) flakes , is for the heat. And the final ingredient is, obviously, salt. With so many options to customise it, for instance, with potatoes or other root vegetables, the basic recipe is a must try. Plus, you can even make this in slow cooker or instant pot. Read on to discover the key secret to make this surprisingly good curry for your next Indian-inspired meal.
Key Ingredients In 4 Ingredient Beef Curry
- Beef - Chuck (braising steak) or gravy beef is the best option.
- Shallots - It’s the key element of the rich sauce.
- Red pepper (chili) flakes - For the spice kick.
- Salt - The essential ingredient.
How To Make 4 Ingredient Beef Curry
Prep the ingredients - First, choose the right cut. I prefer chuck (braising steak) or gravy beef for rich curries. Cut them into small pieces before making the curry. The second ingredient, shallots, are key in this recipe. Slice them thinly and cook alongside beef. Red chilli flakes bring in the heat, add more or less depending on your preference.
Make the curry - All you need to do is combine all the ingredients and simmer until cooked through. While instant pot speeds up the process, slow cooking brings in tons of flavor.
Can I make this in slow cooker or instant pot? Yes, Refer to the “methods” section of the recipe.
Can I freeze leftovers? Yes, freeze in an airtight container for busy day dinner.
How to enhance the flavor? Optional add-ins like coriander (cilantro) leaves or dried fenugreek leaves gives a flavor boost.
Ingredients
- ▢ 1 kg gravy or chuck steak or braising steak, cut into 2.5 cm cubes
- ▢ 15 shallots, sliced
- ▢ 1 tablespoon red pepper (chili) flakes
- ▢ ¼ cup water
- ▢ Salt to taste
- ▢ Rice, naan or paratha, to serve
Instructions
- Place beef, shallots, red pepper (chili) flakes and water in a heavy bottomed pan. Stir to combine. Season with salt.
- Place the pan over medium-high heat. Cook, covered, for about an hour or until the beef is tender. Add more water if required to prevent burning.
- Optional - Garnish with chopped coriander (cilantro) leaves.
Make this in slow cooker:
- Place beef, shallots, red pepper (chili) flakes and water in a slow cooker. Stir. Season with salt.
- Cover with lid.
- Cook for about 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low or until beef is cooked through.
Make this in instant pot:
- Place beef, shallots, red pepper (chili) flakes and water in the instant pot. Stir. Season with salt.
- Cover with lid.
- Turn on instant pot and select manual mode.
- Set the timer for 20 minutes. When done, let the pressure release naturally for about 15 minutes.
Video
Nutrition
Recipe adapted from TIKTOK.
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Ingredients
- ▢ 1 kg gravy or chuck steak or braising steak, cut into 2.5 cm cubes
- ▢ 15 shallots, sliced
- ▢ 1 tablespoon red pepper (chili) flakes
- ▢ ¼ cup water
- ▢ Salt to taste
- ▢ Rice, naan or paratha, to serve
Instructions
- Place beef, shallots, red pepper (chili) flakes and water in a heavy bottomed pan. Stir to combine. Season with salt.
- Place the pan over medium-high heat. Cook, covered, for about an hour or until the beef is tender. Add more water if required to prevent burning.
- Optional - Garnish with chopped coriander (cilantro) leaves.
Make this in slow cooker:
- Place beef, shallots, red pepper (chili) flakes and water in a slow cooker. Stir. Season with salt.
- Cover with lid.
- Cook for about 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low or until beef is cooked through.
Make this in instant pot:
- Place beef, shallots, red pepper (chili) flakes and water in the instant pot. Stir. Season with salt.
- Cover with lid.
- Turn on instant pot and select manual mode.
- Set the timer for 20 minutes. When done, let the pressure release naturally for about 15 minutes.
