Instant Pot Beef Curry with Coconut Milk

Instant Pot Beef Curry with Coconut Milk: A Flavorful and Easy Weeknight Meal

Instant Pot Beef Curry Recipe - Ready in 25 minutes!

If you’re looking for a hearty, flavorful dish that’s quick to prepare, Instant Pot Beef Curry with Coconut Milk is a perfect choice. It’s rich, creamy, and loaded with tender beef, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you don’t want to compromise on flavor. The best part? You can make it using just a few simple ingredients, and it’s ready in no time.

Whether you’re using a pressure cooker, stove top, oven, or slow cooker, this beef curry is versatile and can be adapted to your cooking method of choice. The curry sauce is rich and aromatic, thanks to a blend of Indian curry powder, beef broth, and coconut milk. And the result? A comforting, delicious meal everyone will love.

Why You’ll Love This Beef Curry with Coconut Milk

Instant Pot Beef Curry is not just about speed—it’s about building layers of flavor that are complex yet simple. The beef becomes fork-tender after being cooked in the Instant Pot, absorbing all the delicious spices and coconut milk, creating a rich, flavorful curry sauce.

Here are a few reasons why you’ll love making this dish:

Quick & Easy: The Instant Pot makes it incredibly fast to make a flavorful curry.
Healthy & Homemade: By cooking at home, you avoid the excess salt, sugar, and artificial flavors commonly found in takeout curries.
Customizable: Want it milder? Use a mild curry powder. Craving more heat? Add some chili powder or hot curry powder to kick things up a notch.
Gluten-Free Option: You can easily make this dish gluten-free by using gluten-free beef broth.

Additionally, the recipe is highly adaptable. You can add more veggies, adjust the heat, or even switch the beef for chicken or lamb, depending on your preference.

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Pressure Cooker Beef Curry

Instant Pot Curry Beef Stew - Omnivore's Cookbook

Here’s what you’ll need to make this Instant Pot Beef Curry:

Beef: Use cubed stew meat or braising steak—cuts that are perfect for slow cooking or pressure cooking.
Curry Powder: A medium-strength curry powder (like Madras) works great, but you can choose your favorite blend.
Broth: Beef broth enhances the flavor of the meat, but you can also use vegetable or chicken broth if preferred.
Coconut Milk: Full-fat coconut milk gives the curry its rich, creamy texture. You can opt for light coconut milk if you prefer a lighter version.

How to Make Instant Pot Beef Curry: Step-by-Step

Ready to make your beef curry? Follow these easy steps for a delicious, comforting meal.

Step 1: Sear the Beef

5 Tips for Searing Meat - The Best Stop Supermarket

Heat olive oil in the Instant Pot on the sauté setting.
Season your cubed beef and add it to the pot. Sear the beef in batches until golden brown, then set it aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

In the same pot, sauté onion for about 5 minutes until soft. Add garlic and ginger, cooking for another minute.
Stir in curry powder and tomato paste until everything is well combined.

Step 3: Add Beef and Broth

10 Best Recipes With Beef Broth - Insanely Good

Return the browned beef to the pot. Add beef broth and water. Scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pot—those bits are packed with flavor!

Step 4: Pressure Cook

Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 30 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.

Step 5: Finish the Curry

Stir in the coconut milk. If you prefer a thicker sauce, switch the Instant Pot to sauté mode and let it simmer for a few more minutes.
If you want the beef shredded, use two forks to shred the meat (this step is optional).

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

The best way to serve and garnish caviar.

Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and thinly sliced red chili for extra flavor and heat.

Alternate Cooking Methods

There are many different cooking methods, including: | Shahriar Dewan

If you don’t have an Instant Pot or prefer to use another method, here’s how you can make this beef curry:

Oven Method:

Brown the beef and sauté the onion, garlic, and ginger in a Dutch oven. Add the broth, water, and tomato paste, then cover and cook in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 2-3 hours until the beef is tender. Add the coconut milk and simmer on the stove to reduce the sauce.

Slow Cooker Method:

Use the slow cooker to brown the beef and sauté the onions, garlic, and spices. Then transfer everything to the crockpot and cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 7-8 hours. Add the coconut milk and cook with the lid off to thicken the sauce.

Stovetop Method:

Brown the beef and sauté the aromatics in a large pot. Add the broth and water, then bring the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 2-3 hours until the beef is tender. Add the coconut milk and simmer until the curry reaches your desired thickness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What type of beef is best for making curry?

For beef curry, use cuts of meat that are suitable for slow cooking, such as cubed stew meat or braising steak. Other good options include chuck steak, flank steak, or brisket.

Q2: How can I ensure the beef is tender?

The key to tender beef is cooking it long enough. In the Instant Pot, 30 minutes on high pressure is usually enough. For stovetop or slow cooker methods, it will take longer to reach that fork-tender texture.

Q3: Can I substitute the beef for chicken or lamb?

Yes, you can substitute beef with bone-in chicken thighs or lamb shoulder. Just make sure to adjust the cooking times accordingly.

Q4: Can I make this curry spicier?

If you like your curry spicy, you can add extra chili powder or red pepper flakes. You can also increase the heat by using a hot curry powder.

Q5: Can I make this curry gluten-free?

Yes! Simply use gluten-free beef broth and check that all other ingredients (like curry powder) are gluten-free.

Tips for Perfect Instant Pot Beef Curry

Flavor Boost: Curry often tastes even better the next day once the flavors have had time to meld. Make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge overnight.
No Time to Sear?: If you’re in a rush, you can skip the searing step and throw everything into the Instant Pot together. The flavor will still be great, but searing does add an extra layer of richness.
Fresh Herbs for Leftovers: When reheating curry, add fresh cilantro to refresh the flavors.

How to Serve Instant Pot Beef Curry

This Instant Pot Beef Curry pairs wonderfully with classic accompaniments like steamed basmati rice and naan bread, perfect for mopping up the delicious curry sauce. For a lighter option, try cauliflower rice or coconut rice with lime.

For those who like it spicy, serve some fresh sliced red chilies on the side so everyone can adjust the heat to their liking.

How to Reheat Beef Curry

Curry always tastes better the second day as the flavors deepen. To reheat, gently warm the curry on the stove or in the microwave. If you find it’s a little thick, you can add a splash of broth or water to loosen it up.

How to Freeze Beef Curry

Curry is an excellent make-ahead dish. To freeze, simply allow the curry to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat as needed.

Conclusion: A Comforting, Easy-to-Make Beef Curry

Whether you’re using the Instant Pot or your favorite method, this beef curry with coconut milk is a flavorful, comforting meal that’s sure to please. With just the right balance of spices, tender beef, and creamy coconut milk, it’s the perfect dish to enjoy with your family. It’s also flexible and easy to adjust to your tastes, making it a great addition to your recipe collection. Enjoy your curry!

Instant Pot Beef Curry with Coconut Milk