Dish that never fails to warm the heart and excite the palate is beef curry. Known for its rich, slow-simmered sauce and tender beef, this dish carries a history that spans cultures and continents. In this article, we’ll share a complete beef curry recipe, explore its story, and give you helpful tips for perfecting it in your own kitchen.
The Story of Beef Curry
Curry itself is a dish with deep historical roots. Originating in South Asia, the idea of stewing meat with spices spread across trade routes into Southeast Asia, Japan, and eventually the world. Today, you can find endless variations, from Thai and Indian styles to the comfort-driven Japanese beef curry that has become a household staple in Japan.

At Saagar, we’ve taken inspiration from these global traditions to craft a version of beef meat curry that uses local herbs and spices while staying true to the dish’s slow-cooked richness. It’s the perfect balance of hearty and aromatic—a dish that brings people together.
Ingredients for Saagar’s Beef Curry

To prepare this dish at home, here’s what you’ll need:
- 700g beef chuck or brisket, cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 onions, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 large tomatoes, chopped (or 1 cup tomato puree)
- 2 tablespoons curry powder or curry paste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 2–3 fresh chilies (optional, for heat)
- 400ml coconut milk or beef stock
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh coriander for garnish
How to Prepare Beef Curry

If you’ve ever wondered how to prepare beef curry, the secret lies in patience and layering flavors. Here’s our step-by-step guide:
- Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pot. Add onions and sauté until golden brown.
- Stir in garlic, ginger, and chilies, cooking for another minute.
- Add spices—curry powder, cumin, coriander, and turmeric—and stir until fragrant.
- Mix in tomatoes and cook until they break down into a thick sauce.
- Add the beef cubes, stirring until well-coated in the spice mixture.
- Pour in coconut milk or stock, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer.
- Cover and cook for 1.5 to 2 hours, until the beef is tender and the sauce is thick.
- Adjust seasoning and garnish with fresh coriander before serving.
This is the foundation of our beef curry recipe at Saagar Phuket—simple, slow-cooked, and deeply satisfying.
Tips for Perfecting Beef Curry

Cooking this dish requires care, but a few tips can elevate your results:
- Choose the right cut of beef: Tougher cuts like chuck or brisket become wonderfully tender when cooked low and slow.
- Toast your spices: Lightly roasting the spices before adding them enhances their aroma.
- Simmer gently: A rolling boil will toughen the beef, so always keep it at a gentle simmer.
- Balance the flavors: Sweetness from coconut milk or onions balances the savory spice blend.
For more cooking insights, don’t forget to visit our Saagar Phuket Blog where we share tips and recipes from our kitchen.
Variations Across Cultures

The beauty of curry lies in its versatility. Here are some popular versions you may encounter:
- Japanese Beef Curry: This style is milder and sweeter, often thickened with roux and served with rice. It’s a favorite comfort food in Japanese households.
- Vietnamese Influence: While not traditionally common, some modern chefs have created Vietnamese twists using herbs like lemongrass and dill.
- Classic Beef Meat Curry: In South Asia, robust spices, yogurt, and ghee give the dish its iconic richness.
- Thai-Inspired Curry Beef: In Phuket, we often incorporate local curry pastes, adding lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and fresh chilies for extra vibrancy.
- Fusion Creations: Curious cooks experiment by combining elements, showing there’s no single answer to how do you make beef curry.
Each variation tells its own story, just like our popular Thai Stinky Beans Recipe, which also blends tradition with creativity.
Why Beef Curry Belongs at Saagar Phuket

Our restaurant thrives on blending cultures. Phuket is already a melting pot of Thai, Malay, Chinese, and international cuisines, making it the perfect place to celebrate dishes like curry beef. When visitors ask us how to make curried beef or seek a traditional recipe, we love sharing not just the steps but the history and cultural significance behind it.
At Saagar, our version of beef curry combines Phuket’s fresh produce with time-honored techniques, making it both comforting and unique. It’s a dish that captures the spirit of fusion while respecting tradition.
Phuket is a melting pot of flavors, from Saagar’s fusion creations to authentic tastes at Shalimar Phuket.
Final Thoughts

From the warm, spice-laden kitchens of South Asia to the cozy bowls of Japanese beef curry, this dish has traveled the world and adapted to countless local palates. Learning how to make beef curry or even experimenting with your own variation connects you to a long culinary history.
If you’re wondering how do you make beef curry at home, start with our recipe above, then adapt it to your taste. Better yet, visit us at Saagar Phuket and enjoy our signature version, crafted with care by chefs who believe food should tell a story.