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Meat, South and Southeast Asian

Beef massaman curry with jasmine rice

Beef massaman curry is a mild Thai curry made with coconut milk, potatoes and peanuts, served over jasmine rice. For 4 people, it takes 2 hours, has a medium difficulty level and costs €4.20 per person. The key is a long, very gentle simmer that makes the beef fall apart tender.

Tonight, massaman, Thailand's mild, fragrant curry with melting beef, potatoes, peanuts and a hint of cinnamon.

Beef massaman curry with jasmine rice
Total time
2 h
Difficulty
Medium
Cost per person
€4.20
Calories per person
600 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall

Massaman stands apart from spicier Thai curries, leaning into the mellow richness of coconut milk, a quiet sweetness from cinnamon and the crunch of peanuts. The beef, simmered low and slow, eventually falls apart on its own under a fork, while the potatoes soak up the sauce and give the dish its body.

This is more of a weekend dish than a rushed weeknight meal, the long simmer needs planning but barely any attention. It works well for a dinner with friends who enjoy trying a different cuisine, and it suits a family meal too, as long as no one has a peanut allergy.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Beef chuck roast 700 g

Pantry

  • Massaman curry pasteoften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Coconut milkoften in the pantry 40 cl
  • Roasted peanutsoften in the pantry 60 g
  • Fish sauceoften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Cane sugaroften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Cinnamon stickoften in the pantry 1
  • Jasmine riceoften in the pantry 300 g
  • Neutral oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp

Fruits and vegetables

  • Potatoes 500 g
  • Onion 2

Allergens Peanuts, Fish, Soy

The step by step recipe

  1. Cut the beef into large cubes and brown it in the oil, then set aside. 8 min

    Brown it in small batches so it colors properly.

  2. Cook the onions with the curry paste, add half the coconut milk and let it reduce. 5 min

    When the oil rises to the surface, the paste is cooked.

  3. Add the beef back in, pour in the rest of the coconut milk and some water, add the cinnamon, fish sauce and sugar, and let it simmer covered. 1 h 15

    Keep the heat very low, the coconut milk can split if it boils too hard.

  4. Add the potatoes in large cubes and the peanuts, and keep cooking. 25 min

    The potatoes soak up the sauce, serve them well soaked.

  5. Cook the rice and serve the massaman hot over the rice. 12 min

    Remove the cinnamon stick before serving.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick a well marbled chuck roast rather than a very lean cut, the fat melts during cooking and keeps the meat moist.
  • Taste the sauce before adding the potatoes and adjust the fish sauce or sugar to your liking, the balance is set at this point.
  • Make this dish a day ahead if you can, the sauce thickens and the flavors meld better after a night in the fridge.

The variations

  • Swap the chuck roast for boneless chicken thighs for a shorter cook, about 40 minutes of simmering is enough.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the beef with sweet potatoes and firm tofu, and use soy sauce instead of fish sauce.
  • To save time, use leftover cooked meat and cut the simmering time to 20 minutes before adding the potatoes.

What to serve it with

  • Extra jasmine rice
  • Fresh sliced cucumber
  • Green tea or lemongrass tea

Storage

Beef massaman keeps for 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well for up to 2 months, without the rice. Reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.

Questions about this dish

Can I use a different curry paste instead of massaman paste?

A classic red curry paste works in a pinch, but the flavor will be spicier and less cinnamon forward. Add a touch more sugar to bring back that signature massaman sweetness.

Can this massaman curry be made ahead?

Yes, it's actually recommended, the sauce gets better after resting overnight in the fridge. Reheat gently the next day and serve over freshly cooked rice.

How do I know when the beef is cooked enough?

The chuck roast is ready when it falls apart easily with a fork, no resistance at all. If it's not there after 75 minutes, keep simmering gently for another 15 to 20 minutes.

Can I leave out the peanuts for someone with an allergy?

Peanuts add crunch and a flavor typical of massaman, but you can skip them if needed. The dish still tastes good without them, though it loses a bit of its signature character.

How long does it take to make a beef massaman curry with jasmine rice?

Count 2 h in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “medium”.

How many calories are in a beef massaman curry with jasmine rice?

About 600 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a beef massaman curry with jasmine rice cost?

About €4.20 per serving, or €16.80 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains peanuts, fish, soy. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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