Description
This Slow Cooker Beef Madras is a richly spiced Indian curry featuring tender beef chuck cooked slowly with aromatic spices, tomatoes, and yogurt. The slow cooking method allows the flavors to deepen and the beef to become melt-in-your-mouth tender, making it a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for a hearty meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Spices & Flavorings
- 1 small cinnamon stick
- 4 cardamom pods
- 3 dried red chilies
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 2 teaspoons Kashmiri chili powder (mild heat)
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 large onion, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic and ginger paste
- 1 large tomato, diced
Liquids & Sauces
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste mixed with ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon tamarind sauce
- 1 ½ cups mild curry sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- ½ cup plain yogurt
Protein
- 1 ½ pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch pieces
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Place the roughly chopped onion, garlic and ginger paste, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, dried red chilies, diced tomato, garam masala, Kashmiri chili powder, turmeric, tomato paste mixed with water, tamarind sauce, mild curry sauce, plain yogurt, butter, and beef chuck pieces into the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly, ensuring the beef is coated with the spices and sauces.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on LOW heat setting for 6 to 8 hours, or alternatively on HIGH heat for 4 to 5 hours. The slow cooking process allows the beef to become tender while the sauce thickens and the flavors meld beautifully.
- Serve: Once fully cooked and tender, remove the cinnamon stick and cardamom pods from the madras. Stir the curry to mix all spices well and serve hot. This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed basmati rice or warm naan bread for an authentic Indian meal experience.
Notes
- Use mild curry sauce for a balanced flavor, adjust chili quantity to your spice tolerance.
- Substitute beef chuck with lamb shoulder for a different protein option.
- Make sure to remove whole spices before serving to avoid bites of intense spice.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours (LOW) or 4-5 hours (HIGH)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Indian
