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a serving of beef rendang on a bed of rice garnished with red chilies.
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5 from 1 vote

Beef Rendang

This Beef Rendang recipe brings the authentic flavors of Indonesian cuisine to your kitchen, featuring tender beef slow-cooked in a rich, aromatic curry. With an array of exotic spices and ingredients, such as lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves, this dish is sure to impress your family and friends. Enjoy this comforting and flavorful beef rendang with a side of steamed rice for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time3 hours
Total Time3 hours 30 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Asian, Indonesian
Keyword: beef curry recipe, beef rendang
Servings: 6
Calories: 679kcal

Ingredients

Spice Paste

  • 10 shallots peeled and roughly chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic peeled
  • 4 red chilies seeded and chopped
  • 1 inch piece ginger peeled and chopped
  • 1 inch piece galangal peeled and chopped
  • 2 stalks lemongrass white part only, chopped

Curry

  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 pounds chuck beef or stewing meat, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 28 ounces coconut milk 2 cans
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 stalks lemongrass bruised
  • 6 kaffir lime leaves fresh or dry, cut into thin strips
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 3 star anise
  • 6 cardamom pods
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon tamarind paste
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  • Add all the spice paste ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until a smooth paste forms.
    process shots showing how to make beef rendang.
  • Add the vegetable oil to a large Dutch oven and heat over high heat. Add half the beef pieces and brown on all sides. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining beef.
    process shots showing how to make beef rendang.
  • Add the spice paste to the Dutch oven and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 5 to 7 minutes.
    process shots showing how to make beef rendang.
  • Add the rest of the ingredients to the pot along with the beef. Stir well until everything is well incorporated.
    process shots showing how to make beef rendang.
  • Bring to a simmer then turn the heat down to low and simmer, uncovered, for 2 to 3 hours, until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened. While the beef is cooking, make sure to stir occasionally, scraping the bottom of the pot to prevent the sauce from sticking or burning.
    process shots showing how to make beef rendang.
  • Remove the cinnamon stick, star anise, and lemongrass from the pot.
    process shots showing how to make beef rendang.
  • Serve the beef warm with steamed rice and garnish with cilantro.

Video

Notes

  1. Use fresh ingredients: Whenever possible, use fresh spices and herbs, like ginger, galangal, and lemongrass, for the best flavor. Fresh ingredients will give your Beef Rendang a more vibrant and aromatic taste.
  2. Customize heat level: Adjust the amount of red chilies according to your preferred spice level. If you like your Beef Rendang milder, remove the seeds and membranes from the chilies or use fewer chilies. For a spicier version, add more chilies or even incorporate some Thai bird's eye chilies.
  3. Toast whole spices: Before adding the cinnamon stick, star anise, and cardamom pods to the pot, lightly toast them in a dry pan over low heat for a couple of minutes. This will help release their natural oils and enhance the flavor of the dish.
  4. Be patient with the cooking process: Beef Rendang is a slow-cooked dish, and the key to achieving tender beef and a rich, flavorful sauce is allowing it to simmer gently for 2-3 hours. Make sure to stir occasionally to prevent the sauce from sticking or burning.
  5. Remove excess fat: For a lighter version of the dish, you can skim off some of the fat that rises to the surface during cooking. Alternatively, you can chill the cooked Beef Rendang overnight in the refrigerator, and the fat will solidify on the surface, making it easy to remove before reheating and serving.
  6. Make it ahead of time: Beef Rendang tastes even better the next day, as the flavors have more time to meld and develop. Make the dish a day in advance, store it in the refrigerator, and reheat gently over low heat before serving.
  7. Garnish for added flavor: Garnish your Beef Rendang with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice to add a burst of freshness and acidity that complements the rich flavors of the dish.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 679kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 53g | Saturated Fat: 34g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 104mg | Sodium: 153mg | Potassium: 1169mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 312IU | Vitamin C: 50mg | Calcium: 104mg | Iron: 10mg