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Gordon Ramsay Beef Curry

Gordon Ramsay Beef Curry - recipe card

A deeply flavorful, British-style curry featuring fork-tender beef chuck slowly simmered in a rich, aromatic sauce made with toasted spices, tomatoes, and creamy coconut milk. The sauce reduces to a velvety, coating consistency that clings to every piece of beef, delivering warmth and complexity in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 medium onions, finely diced (about 2 cups)
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely grated
  • 2 tablespoons curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef stock
  • 1 (13.5-ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, divided
  • Cooked basmati rice or warm naan, for serving

Instructions

  1. Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels and season generously with kosher salt and black pepper. Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Working in two batches to avoid crowding, sear the beef until deeply browned on all sides, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer each batch to a plate and set aside, leaving the browned fond in the pot.
  2. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onions with a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. If the pan becomes too dry, add a tablespoon of water to help the onions release their moisture. Stir in the garlic and ginger, cooking for 1 minute until highly fragrant but not browned.
  3. Sprinkle the curry powder, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and cayenne over the onion mixture. Stir constantly and toast the spices for 1 minute to awaken their essential oils and deepen their flavor. The mixture will appear dry and intensely aromatic; add a splash of water if it starts to stick.
  4. Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juice, scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to lift every bit of browned fond. Allow the tomatoes to bubble and reduce slightly, about 2 to 3 minutes, until the liquid thickens and the raw tomato smell mellows.
  5. Return the beef and any accumulated juices to the pot. Add the beef stock, coconut milk, 1 teaspoon salt, and sugar. Stir to combine, then increase the heat to high just until the liquid reaches a boil. Immediately reduce the heat to low so the surface barely quivers with gentle bubbles. Partially cover with a lid, leaving a 1-inch gap for steam to escape, and simmer for 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, stirring every 20 minutes. The beef is done when a fork pierces a cube with no resistance and the sauce has reduced to a thick, spoon-coating gravy. If the sauce thickens too quickly before the meat is tender, add a splash of water; if the beef is tender but the sauce is too thin, remove the lid, raise the heat slightly, and simmer uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes until it reaches the desired consistency.
  6. Alternative oven method: After adding the liquids, bring the mixture to a boil on the stovetop, then cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and transfer to a 325°F (163°C) oven. Braise for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, checking after 1 1/2 hours to ensure the liquid hasn’t evaporated below the beef level. Add more stock if needed. The beef should be fork-tender with the sauce lightly bubbling around the edges.
  7. Remove the pot from the heat. Taste the curry and adjust the seasoning: add more salt if the flavors taste flat, a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten, and a pinch more sugar or cayenne to balance acidity and heat to your preference. Stir in half of the chopped cilantro.
  8. Let the curry stand covered for 5 to 10 minutes. During this resting period, the sauce will continue to thicken and the flavors will meld. Garnish with the remaining cilantro and serve hot over steamed basmati rice or with warm naan bread, plus a cooling dollop of full-fat Greek yogurt if desired.

Notes

Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; the flavor improves noticeably on the second day. To reheat, warm gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or stock if the sauce has thickened too much. This curry freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat as directed. For a thicker sauce without additional simmering, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water, stir into the simmering curry, and cook for 2 minutes until glossy.

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