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This slow cooker beef curry is the kind of cozy, flavor-packed dish that makes you want to curl up with a big bowl and a spoon. Tender chunks of beef simmer away in a rich, velvety sauce made with coconut milk, tomato, red curry paste, and a warm blend of spices. You control the heat—mild or fiery, it’s totally your call. It’s hearty, comforting, and just the thing for a chilly evening. Best part? It’s super simple to prep and your kitchen will smell amazing while it cooks. Trust me, this one’s a keeper.
This slow cooker beef curry comprises tender cubes of beef with a tomato and coconut sauce with hints of aromatic spices like cumin, ginger, cayenne, and more.
Curry fans might also enjoy chicken madras, Thai red curry soup, or this chickpea and coconut curry stew.
Why You’ll Love It
Simple to prepare: Once you’ve seared the beef and added it to your slow cooker with the other ingredients, all that’s left to do is wait until it’s done.
Dairy-free and gluten-free: There’s no dairy or gluten in the recipe.
Delicious flavors: Vibrant spice flavors make this crockpot beef curry recipe well worth making.
Great for busy weeknights: You can start the recipe in the morning and leave it to cook through the day. When you get home, your meal is all ready to dish up!
Crockpot Beef Curry Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Beef: The star of the dish. I like to use chuck roast because it’s a great type of stew beef to braise and always comes out beautifully juicy and tender.
Spices: Cumin, garam masala and cayenne pepper add bold flavors.
Tomatoes: A can of petite diced tomatoes flavors the sauce.
Coconut milk: For a tropical coconut flavor and to make the curry creamy.
Cornstarch: To thicken the curry sauce.
Red curry paste: Red chilies, turmeric, lemongrass, and salt are some typical ingredients but red curry pastes vary from brand to brand. If you prefer, you can substitute another type, such as tikka masala curry paste or your preferred Thai curry paste.
Garlic and ginger: Add more savory flavors to the slow cooker curry.
How to Make Crockpot Beef Curry
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Sear the beef: Season the beef and the sear the seasoned beef in oil in a skillet until browned all over. Transfer it into a large slow cooker.
Add more ingredients: Add the garlic, ginger and onions, and then the coconut milk and tomatoes, curry paste, and seasonings. Whisk the cornstarch and water together and add this cornstarch slurry to the slow cooker.
Slow cook until done: Cover and slow cook until the beef is tender, then serve, garnished with fresh cilantro.
Substitutions and Variations
Chuck roast: I used chuck roast in this recipe, but stew meat, bottom round, skirt steak, flat iron steak, sirloin, or brisket are other options to consider. Stewing steak or braising steak are nice budget options that come out really tender when they’re slow cooked.
Add vegetables: You can add sliced bell peppers, green beans, carrots, mushrooms, or broccoli. Add them halfway through the cook time for a crisp-tender result or at the beginning if you want them softer. You could also add a handful of fresh spinach about an hour before the end of the cooking time (it won’t take long to wilt).
Adjust the spiciness: Reduce the amount of cayenne pepper for a milder result or, for a spicier curry, add more cayenne or some chili powder, hot sauce or hot curry powder.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizers: Start your meal with Thai tofu wraps.
Side dishes: Serve this curry with a side of white or brown rice or naan bread and perhaps some lime wedges and/or plain yogurt. Garlic green beans would be a nice side dish.
Desserts: Finish off with strawberry and peach crisp or blueberry ice cream floats.
How to Store Beef Curry
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 4 days.
Freeze: You can freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: You can warm it back up in a pan on the stove or in the microwave.
Top Tips
Use fresh spices: When spices get old, they lost some of their aroma and flavor. Make sure you’re using good quality fresh spices.
Slice against the grain: Whether you choose to cut cubes or strips, make sure you slice across the grain of the meat for the most tender result.
Check for doneness: If the meat is still tough when you try it, give it another hour or so. It should come out really soft and tender.
Slow Cooker Beef Curry FAQs
I find that low and slow is the way to go! If you choose to cook it on high, check often to make sure it isn’t burning around the edges or getting too thick. Stir it during cooking if needed.
If it’s too thick, stir in some beef broth, coconut milk or water, then stir to combine and cook until warmed through.
If the meat is tender but the sauce is still too thin, transfer a ladle of the sauce into a small saucepan and heat it on the stove until it’s reduced and thickened. Stir it back into the slow cooker mixture.
Best Crockpot Beef Curry Recipe
Slow Cooker Beef Curry
Equipment
- Slow Cooker Large
- Skillet Large
Ingredients
- 3 Pounds chuck roast, cut into 1 ½-inch thick cubes
- 1 yellow onion, large, diced
- 2 Teaspoons ginger, freshly minced
- 5 Cloves garlic, freshly minced
- 1 Tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 Tablespoon garam masala
- 3 Tablespoons red curry paste
- 1 Teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 to 3 tablespoons cooking oil
- 14 ½ Ounces petite diced tomatoes
- 13 ½ Ounces unsweetened full fat coconut milk, or heavy cream
- salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Cornstarch Slurry:
- 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 Tablespoons water, cold
To Garnish:
- cilantro, freshly chopped
Instructions
- Pat the beef dry with paper towels, then season it all over with salt and black pepper.
- Heat a skillet over a moderate/high heat, then add 1 tablespoon of oil.
- Sear the meat cubes until browned, working in small batches and adding more oil if needed.
- Transfer the beef into your slow cooker.
- Add the garlic, ginger and onions on top.
- Add the cans of coconut milk and diced tomatoes, curry paste, and seasonings.
- Whisk the cornstarch and water together and add this mixture to slow cooker, stirring well.
- Cover and cook for 4 to 6 hours on high or for 6 to 8 hours on low, until the beef is tender and cooked through.
- Serve garnished with cilantro.
Notes
Slice against the grain: Whether you choose to cut cubes or strips, make sure you slice across the grain of the meat for the most tender result.
Check for doneness: If the meat is still tough when you try it, give it another hour or so. It should come out really soft and tender.
Nutrition
Enjoy the rich, bold flavors in this simple slow cooker beef curry recipe. Tender beef pairs up with a vibrant sauce that has warm, earthy spices. You can make this curry as hot or as mild as you choose. It’s so easy to make and even complete beginner home cooks will find it super-simple. This dish might end up becoming one of your favorite go-to recipes when it comes to mouthwatering midweek meals.
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
It’s the ultimate comfort food for chilly nights, and the smell that filled the house was incredible!