This Slow Cooker Beef Curry is mixed up in just 5 minutes. A tasty ‘fakeaway’ it also happens to be light and healthy.
Oh hi new favourite Friday night dish! This fakeaway is the perfect throw in a slow cooker in the morning and come home to delicious smells by dinner time.
This Slow Cooker Beef Curry doesn’t use any cream or coconut milk so it’s also is lighter and lower in fat than your usual takeaway.
You have LOVED my Slow Cooker Chicken Curry recipe as it’s so simple to prepare, I decided it was about time to update my beef curry version to make it as easy as possible.
This recipe also freezes well, and you can adjust the spice level to suit all of the family.
You’ll love this Slow Cooker Beef Curry because:
✅ It’s packed with vegetables and a tasty sauce.✅ Hardly any preparation, no need to brown the beef.✅ Freezes brilliantly, cook once, eat twice!
FAQs about the Slow Cooker Beef Curry recipe:
What is the best cut of beef for the Slow Cooker Beef Curry?
I use ‘Braising Steak’, which is the name supermarkets and butchers use for a few different cuts of beef that need slow cooking.
These include chuck, skirt, leg and flank.
It’s also sometimes labelled as Stewing Steak. Any of these cuts that need to be cooked slowly are fine for this recipe.
Do I really not need to brown the beef before cooking in the slow cooker?
If you want to get scientific, the reason we brown meat before slow cooking, is because it causes a Maillard reaction. The process of frying, heating it very hot until it browns, changes the flavour compounds in the meat, basically adding a depth of flavour.
Does it add something to most slow cooked dishes? Yes. Is it vital in this dish, which is packed with other flavour? No.
If you want to brown the meat, it will add another level of delicious flavour BUT I feel that sometimes we need a super quick preparation dinner and it’s worth sacrificing maybe 10% of extra flavour?
I don’t have any curry paste, can I use curry powder?
Yes, depending on your curry powder and your taste, you’ll need to use 3 – 4 tbsp of curry powder instead of the paste.
I would say, I think the paste does work better than powder in this recipe though as unlike in a Slow Cooker Chicken Curry, beef does need a really robust flavour to complement it.
What can you serve with Beef Curry?
You can serve all of the usual curry accompaniments with this Beef Curry.
Rice, poppadums, yoghurt with some mint mixed through and a salad of tomatoes and cucumber works really well.
My easy flatbreads would be soooo amazing dunked in!
Fancy some other easy Slow Cooker recipes ?
- Super Simple Slow Cooker Chicken Curry – This is one of the most loved recipes on this site, over 175 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reviews!
- Slow Cooker ‘Roast’ Gammon Ham – Such an easy and yummy Sunday roast joint.
- Slow Cooker ‘Roast’ Beef Joint – Another super simple and delicious roast joint, complete with gravy.
Hope you enjoy this recipe. I’d love to know how you got on and what you thought of it if you make this recipe. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐️ below!
Also, if you fancy showing me a photo by tagging me on Instagram (@tamingtwins) I LOVE to see your creations and try and share as many of them as I can.
This post was originally published on March 28, 2018 and updated on February 9, 2021.
Slow Cooker Beef Curry
This Slow Cooker Beef Curry is mixed up in just 5 minutes, no preparation required. A tasty 'fakeaway' it also happens to be light and healthy.
Ingredients
For slow cooking:
- 1 kg Braising steak
- 200 g Curry spice paste
- 2 Onions Peeled and chopped
- 4 Cloves Garlic Peeled and chopped
- 1 Inch piece Fresh ginger Peeled and chopped finely
- 2 tbsp Ground cumin
- 400 g Tin of tomatoes
- 2 tsp Garam Masala
- 1 tsp Sea salt
- 1 Beef stock cube
Before serving:
- 100 g Spinach leaves
- 2 tsp Garam Masala
- 4 tbsp Mango chutney
Instructions
-
Put all of the slow cooking ingredients into the slow cooker and cook for 4 hours on HIGH or 6 hours on LOW.
-
Add the spinach leaves, remaining Garam masala and mango chutney before serving.
Recipe Notes
Note 1 - Beef Braising Steak
'Braising Steak' is the name supermarkets and butchers use for a few different cuts of beef that need slow cooking. These include chuck, skirt, leg and flank. It's also sometimes labelled as Stewing Steak. Any of these cuts that need to be cooked slowly are fine for this recipe.
Note 2 - Curry Paste
Any curry paste you like to your taste will work here. I like Patak's Jalfrezi or Madras.
Note 3 - Onions, garlic and ginger
I use pre prepared frozen, chopped here. An onion weighs about 150g so I replace the onions with 300g (2.5 cups) of pre chopped. Garlic is about 5g per clove so I use 20g (4 teaspoons). 1inch of Ginger equals about 5g (1 tablespoon).
Note 4 - Spinach
If using fresh spinach, I just stir in and the heat of the curry will wilt it. If you want to use frozen, defrost it first in a pan or microwave and then drain it and add it to the curry. A lot of water comes out of cooking spinach. You can also cook and drain the fresh spinach if you're very particular about your curry not being watery at all.
Looks delicious, I am going to try this today! I see you add half the Garam Masala at the start of cooking, when do you add the rest? Thanks.
Sounds delicious and I’m hoping to make it tomorrow – so I too wonder when the other half of the garam masala is added please?
Oops, my mistake, have added it in! You add with the spinach. Thanks so much for pointing it out 🙂
Ive just popped this in the slow cooker 🙂 – Ive added the half of Garam Masala – when does the other 2tbs need to be added??
Oops, my mistake, have added it in! You add with the spinach. Thanks so much for pointing it out 🙂
This looks / sounds delicious. I have just purchased a pressure king pro. ( pressure cooker) can i follow your recipe using my pressure cooker?
Many thanks in advance
Can I use ground cumin for cumin seeds?
Crowd pleaser
I tried this recipe and it was so easy to make. The family loved it. Will definitely make again.
Delicious, on a particularly cold day.
I made this just before you changed the recipe but I made it last night using chicken and it was fab! Really good. Only thing I have noticed is that the original version had yoghurt mixed in with the paste and marinated beforehand or overnight but you’ve omitted this. Did you think it didn’t add anything to the recipe? Love all your stuff 😊. Thank you!
Hi Bev, I think it only adds something if you are also browning the beef. As it gives it that slight.. Crust?! You can still do that of course but I’ve just tried to make this as quick as possible as I think sacrificing a tiny bit of additional flavour is maybe worth it sometimes for a SUPER easy meal? Hope that helps! Thanks for your lovely comment x
Prep could not have been simpler.
A massive hit with all, a proper fakeaway!
Yay! So pleased you loved it Karen x
Hi only have a tin of plum tomatoes, will that be okay instead of chopped? Tia x
Yes, you may just have to chop them a little as they won’t break down.
This looks gorgeous – do the calories include everything, including the mango chutney? Thanks!
Do I add water in with the stock ?
Nope, just the cube!
Was so tasty! The meat was so tender! And the sauce was nice and thick.
The best (and easiest) homemade curry I’ve ever made, so tasty. The family love it, so win win.
This curry was delicious! So easy and simple to make!
Do you add water at all
Nope! None needed.
absolutely delicious, i altered slightly, putting a fresh chilli & garlic in and at the end, along with spinach i put in coriander as i love the taste, but you nailed it, this is the best & easiest curry i have ever made, i will now see if i can find your page/website for any other delicious slow cooker recipes, thank you soooo much.
So glad you enjoyed it June, thanks for your lovely comment.
Hello! Could I cook this in a casserole dish? Love your recipes!
Going to try this tonight, so is it 2 Tbsp Garam Masala when you start cooking it and then a further 2 tsp before serving?
Hi Sarah, I need to cook for 10 do you think the slow cooker is bigger enough? I have the same as yours.
Thanks Laura. 🙂
Very quickly prepared delicious recipe. I automatically dissolved the stock cube before I realised you don’t ! Took some of the liquid out and added some cornflour later so not spoiled. (Should have read the comments first as someone asked about the stock cube )
Will definitely make again
Made this yesterday it was so delicious and easy. Bit spicy for my little one though, how would I go about making it a milder? Would stirring in natural yougurt work? X
Hi Tasha, I’d just use a more mild paste or use less of it. Enjoy!
4th time using this recipe now and looking forward to my 40th time. I always add a chopped chilli and have some soured cream ready in case I’ve gone OTT on the heat. Tip; bring soured cream to room temperature in a ramekin sized dish then add hot but not boiling curry sauce to it and stir in before adding back into the crackpot and stirring. This recipe works equally well with lamb shanks but needs to be prepared night before and left in fridge before cooking.
I had some ground beef to use that had some curry on it (was making chili and grabbed the wrong spice). This recipe saved it! I did use a different masala (sunhera) as that’s what I had. used my ninja foodi and it was fabulous! (plz forgive me if i committed curry sin by using a different masala).
I tried this a few months ago and will again this weekend. It’s really good!
Usually I make curries from scratch and it takes a while, especially cooking down the onions to make a masala but this recipe is so easy to make and very, very healthy.
It’s not often I make curries with beef but it turned out so well. I added some peppers about 90 minutes before it was ready to add more veg
200g of curry paste is got to be a type o maybe 20g love this yum
No not a typo!
Tried this last week and loved it.
Wondering if I can substitute Coconut milk or yogurt for the Tomatoes? If yes, what measure?
Thanks!
Another tasty recipe that’s quick and easy to do,
Been trying out some of the recipes and all of them have been tasty and family have eaten!
WOW!
Best Beef Curry ever. Will certainly be making this again. You’ve got me hooked. Thank you.
Oh wow! I cooked it today and it was amazing, we both loved it and because I made the recipe as it said there’s plenty in the freezer for whenever we want it. I can’t wait to try out more of your delicious food. Thank you.
This was incredible!!! Literally took 5 minutes and was gobbled up in no time. Served with rice and popadoms as suggested and got some mini naans too so have leftovers for another two portions. We’ve been having hello fresh for a few months but I am definitely converted, I’m actually looking forward to putting food on the table. Sarah you’re a ⭐️
Love your recipes Sarah, thank you so much for making mealtimes easier.
First time trying this beef curry, so quick to make, the only downside was the smell of it cooking all afternoon made me hungry.
I also added a green pepper and then some coriander at the end.
Really quick to prep and made a very tasty healthy meal. 😀
Can I use curry powder instead of curry paste please? I don’t have any and want to make it today
Just made this tonight after seeing your video on TikTok. Absolutely amazing. Really tasted like a takeaway curry. Can’t wait to make it again! Thanks for sharing!
We loved this!!!
So easy to be able to use the slow cooker and crack on with emptying boxes after our move home from living over seas!
Simple and tasty –
😊
The best thing about this is that it can all go in on one, I can work, do gym, school drop off/ pick up and swimming and come home to a delicious meal! Hide all the extra veg in it, serve with rice and naan- kids love it!
Absolutely amazing curry even my picky daughter loved it.. best thing was once everything was int eh slow cooker you didn’t have to worry about it.. will definitely make it again
This was delicious! First time making a beef curry in the slow cooker & will definitely become a family favourite. Thank you for sharing
I tried this with my new Instant Pot Duo on the ‘slow cooker’ setting and after 4 hours the ‘lean diced beef’ from Lidl was almost inedibly tough and hard, and seemed undercooked. Not sure whether I needed to allow longer? Has anyone used this recipe with the Instant Pot Duo slow cooker setting? Thanks so much
I’m so sorry Tas I haven’t tried in that machine, perhaps it is much lower setting than a regular slow cooker? Also, sometimes I do find that the very lean beef can be not so tender when slow cooked. Perhaps it was a particularly lean packet!
This is a great recipe. I added pumpkin chunks half way through the cooking time and stired through natural yoghurt in the kids servings to tone down the flavours. We all enjoyed it. And so easy! Thank you!
I have made this recipe twice now adapting it both times assisting to ingredients I had . We have enjoyed a chicken thigh version and a goat and sweet potato curry. Both were very successful in the slow cooker thick and full of flavour, just as good as a takeaway! Will definitely be part of my repertoire now!
Wow sounds lush Amanda! Thanks for your comment 🙂
Just made this it was absolutely gorgeous 🙂 I used stewing steak from Costco, and balti curry paste. Super gorgeous and my first time having a beef curry (I always do chicken)
I will deffo make it again