Kitchen Recipe Collection
Sri Lankan Beef Curry (Maas Curry)
A bold, deeply spiced Sri Lankan beef curry slow-cooked with roasted curry powder, coconut milk, and warming whole spices until the meat is fall-apart tender and the gravy is rich and dark.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 90 min
- Total
- 110 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- medium
- Cuisine
- sri lankan
Ingredients
Scaled for 4 servings
- beef (chuck or shin)
- coconut milk
- onion
- garlic
- ginger
- tomatoes
- roasted Sri Lankan curry powder
- red chili powder
- turmeric
- cinnamon
- cardamom
- cloves
- curry leaves
- pandan leaf
- oil
- salt
Equipment
- Deep pot or clay pot
- Knife
Instructions
- 1
Marinate Beef
Cut beef into large cubes. Marinate with roasted curry powder, red chili powder, turmeric, salt, and oil. Mix well and marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
- 2
Temper Aromatics
Heat oil in a deep pot. Add cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. After 30 seconds, add curry leaves, pandan leaf, and sliced onion. Fry until deep golden.
- 3
Add Garlic & Ginger
Add minced garlic and grated ginger. Cook for 2 minutes until very fragrant.
- 4
Brown Beef
Add marinated beef and brown on all sides on high heat for 5–7 minutes to develop a deep crust.
- 5
Add Tomatoes & Simmer
Add chopped tomatoes, cover, and cook on medium heat for 15 minutes until the tomatoes break down completely.
- 6
Add Coconut Milk & Slow Cook
Pour in coconut milk. Reduce to low heat, cover partially, and simmer for 60–70 minutes until the beef is completely tender and the gravy is thick and dark. Serve with rice.
Cooking Tips
- Sri Lankan beef curry requires patience — a long, slow simmer is what makes the meat melt-in-the-mouth tender.
- Use bone-in beef for the richest flavor. The collagen from the bones thickens the gravy naturally.
- Roasted curry powder is non-negotiable for the authentic dark, smoky flavor.
Variations
- Black Beef Curry: Use extra roasted curry powder and cook without coconut milk for a dry, intensely spiced version.
- Pressure Cooker: Use a pressure cooker to reduce the cooking time to 30 minutes.
Chef's Notes & Storage
- Like all Sri Lankan meat curries, beef curry always tastes better the next day.
- Storage: Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheats beautifully on the stove.
Nutrition Estimate
430 calories · 38g protein · 10g carbs · 26g fat · 2g fiber per serving
