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
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.
Jane says
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.
Keelin says
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?
Sarah Barnes says
Oops, my mistake, have added it in! You add with the spinach. Thanks so much for pointing it out 🙂
ali.b. says
Ive just popped this in the slow cooker 🙂 – Ive added the half of Garam Masala – when does the other 2tbs need to be added??
Sarah Barnes says
Oops, my mistake, have added it in! You add with the spinach. Thanks so much for pointing it out 🙂
Helen Trotman says
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
Debora says
Can I use ground cumin for cumin seeds?
Graham says
Crowd pleaser
I tried this recipe and it was so easy to make. The family loved it. Will definitely make again.
Kathleen Wilkinson says
Delicious, on a particularly cold day.
Bev says
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!
Sarah Barnes says
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
Karen evans says
Prep could not have been simpler.
A massive hit with all, a proper fakeaway!
Sarah Barnes says
Yay! So pleased you loved it Karen x
Jodie says
Hi only have a tin of plum tomatoes, will that be okay instead of chopped? Tia x
Sarah Barnes says
Yes, you may just have to chop them a little as they won’t break down.
Sarah says
This looks gorgeous – do the calories include everything, including the mango chutney? Thanks!
Anne says
Do I add water in with the stock ?
Sarah Barnes says
Nope, just the cube!
Laura says
Was so tasty! The meat was so tender! And the sauce was nice and thick.
Liz says
The best (and easiest) homemade curry I’ve ever made, so tasty. The family love it, so win win.
Sophie says
This curry was delicious! So easy and simple to make!
Danielle says
Do you add water at all
Sarah Barnes says
Nope! None needed.
JUNE says
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.
Sarah Barnes says
So glad you enjoyed it June, thanks for your lovely comment.
Wendy says
Hello! Could I cook this in a casserole dish? Love your recipes!
Karen says
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?
Laura Ashton says
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. 🙂
Marilyn Connell says
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
Tasha G says
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
Sarah Barnes says
Hi Tasha, I’d just use a more mild paste or use less of it. Enjoy!
Rob Golden says
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.
Nicci says
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).
Lee says
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
j says
200g of curry paste is got to be a type o maybe 20g love this yum
Sarah Barnes says
No not a typo!
Katherine says
Tried this last week and loved it.
Wondering if I can substitute Coconut milk or yogurt for the Tomatoes? If yes, what measure?
Thanks!
Katie says
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!
Phil says
WOW!
Best Beef Curry ever. Will certainly be making this again. You’ve got me hooked. Thank you.
Julie Brown says
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.
Chloe Dyson says
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 ⭐️
Ali Clough says
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. 😀
Hannah says
Can I use curry powder instead of curry paste please? I don’t have any and want to make it today
Hannah says
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!
Kezzerladinnerla says
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!
Linda says
Simple and tasty –
😊
Kay Stevens says
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!
Mandy says
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
Caroline Hutchinson says
This was delicious! First time making a beef curry in the slow cooker & will definitely become a family favourite. Thank you for sharing
Tas says
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
Sarah Barnes says
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!
Tom ( in the UK ) says
Hi Tas,
you need to press the temperature button on the slow cooker to High for this recipe, it might default to Normal which is around 8 hours, not 4.
I can’t remember the Slow time, maybe something like 18-20 hours !
Have a look in the instruction book for the slow cooker temperature adjustment.
The setting cycles through Low, Normal , High
I have a similar pot, but here in the UK it is named different, but most of the buttons are in the exact same place.
Melanie says
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!
Amanda Clarke says
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!
Sarah Barnes says
Wow sounds lush Amanda! Thanks for your comment 🙂
Rachael says
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
Barbara says
Just made this, usually cook a chicken curry so am looking forward to this.
Has made the house smell amazing.
Kate says
Such an easy and tasty curry. Also added peppers and mushrooms to get some more veggies in the kids!
Angela says
Amazing recipe – a family favourite of yours. So easy and so tasty!!
Tracy says
I made this today for my family and it went down an absolute treat. So easy to make and so tasty. Thank you Sarah x
Gemma Oliver says
Absolutely delicious, have made it several times and it never fails
Felicity B says
Thank you for this recipe. I was craving an Indian curry but wanted to make it myself. I searched for a recipe and borrowed a slow cooker so I could create this. I was not disappointed. It was the best ! It was soooo good, I couldn’t keep it to myself, I had to share it. The next night, I packed some up into a take away container, added a little container of yoghurt, some coriander and a couple of beers, and delivered it across the hallway to my neighbour. I am making another batch tonight. I’m not sure if I’ll share it or I may keep it all to myself. I think the mango chutney was the best addition….Enjoy ! Felicity B
Mo says
Fab. Really enjoyed it. So quick and easy.
Fiona says
I made this for the first time on Friday in my pressure cooker ready for a 30th surprise party on Satursday, i x3 the quality and slowly reheated in slow cooker most of the day on Saturday. It was a huge hit everyone raved about it and thoughy enjoyed it. So tasty, will definitely make again. Nice kick and meat melted in your mouth.
Kirsty says
Such an easy dinner which is perfect for midweek busy evenings, kitchen smells delicious and it’s a meal loved by everyone including my toddler.
AndiW99 says
So so simple and delicious! I must say I am becoming addicted to your no fuss recipes 😋
Mia says
Made this yesterday and it was delicious! Put the ingredients in the pot the night before in the fridge so just had to switch on the slow cooker before I left for work and came home to a banging curry. Just chucked in some Cherry tomatoes and a green pepper for the last half an hour and served with naan and rice. So easy for a midweek dinner, thanks!
Leagh says
Absolutely delicious, whole family enjoyed it! Thank you!
Sue says
Made this recipe lots of times now and it’s a firm favourite! Love you can put everything at once in the slow cook. Delicious!!
Rebekah says
Really good easy recipe. Never fails. So tasty.
Althea Ellery says
Hands down best ever curry. Whenever my husband sees me buy beef from butcher he cries out “Yippeeee Beef Curry”. Thank you, Sarah. 👏🏻👏🏻
Keith says
Another great meal and full of flavours
Mol says
My God did this curry today and it passed all expectations, added some creamed coconut to make it more creamy, served with mushroom rice and roast potatoes and garlic bread on the side , the whole family loved it, take my advice and make it. BEAUTIFUL
Mariel says
Excellent recipe and so easy. I used the Patak mild spice paste (squeezy tube) and put frozen spinach in straight from the freezer, about an hour before the end. Husband added some cubed preboiled potato as well. Perfection.