Slow Cooker Massaman Beef Curry

All the cozy flavors of Thai Massaman curry, but with the ease of the crockpot! Massaman Beef Curry Slow Cooker, the best way to warm up a cold night!

What is Massaman Beef Curry Slow Cooker?

Massaman Beef Curry Slow Cooker is a version of stove top Massaman Curry that we love to make on a weeknight since it’s so easy.

What’s special about Massaman Curry?

• Unlike other Thai curries like Green Curry or Panang Curry, Massaman Curry is rich and flavorful, but not spicy, and has potatoes. 
• It has rich a coconut milk broth, chicken, beef or pork, onions, potatoes and peanuts, and is flavored with fish sauce, brown sugar and tamarind paste. Yup! Super heartwarming!
• According to Wikipedia, Massaman Curry is a Muslim fusion dish brought to Thailand in the 17th century from people from Persia, the Indian Subcontinent, and the Malay Archipelago. 
• That’s why spices like cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, cumin, bay leaves, nutmeg, which are not commonly found in Thai cooking, are used in the Massaman curry paste.

Why you’ll love this Massaman Beef Curry Slow Cooker recipe

• A Thai cooking class instructor (aka me, Sherri! :)) will be sharing with you step-by-step all my top Thai cooking secrets in this recipe!
• A recipe you can throw in the crockpot in the morning, and come home after work and magically find a flavorful, crowd-pleasing Thai dinner ready and waiting for you.
• Super easy! Pop open some coconut milk, scoop in some massaman curry paste, load in the beef and potatoes, press the slow cooker button and you are done!

Massaman Beef Curry Slow Cooker Ingredient Notes

• 1/2 cup homemade Massaman curry paste or storebought Massaman curry paste: Of course homemade Massaman Curry Paste is the best, but if you don’t have time for that, our favorite brands are Maesri, which is found in the link, or Mae Ploy. Find it in the canned goods aisle at the Asian supermarket. 
• 1 can coconut milk: Our favorite brand is Chao Koh, which you can find online or in the canned goods aisle at the Asian supermarket. 
• 2 lbs lean beef stew meat, or chuck roast, chopped into bite sized pieces: We love to use beef in the slow cooker because when the beef is slow cooked, it melts in your mouth it’s sooo tender! But any protein will work.
• 4 white, waxy potatoes, (peeled or unpeeled) cut into 2-inch-ish cubes: We like golden potatoes because they are so creamy, but any potato works!
• 1 sweet potato, (peeled or unpeeled) cut into 2-inch-ish cubes: It’s not traditional to add sweet potatoes, but Thai Hubby and I love how it adds sweet notes to the soup, and more complex flavor. Plus sweet potatoes are so good for you!
• 1 small white onion, cut into strips: a thickening agent for the curry, and adds a mellow, sweet depth of flavor. 
• 1/2 cup peanuts (optional): adds a nice crispy texture, and roasted, nutty note to the curry.
• 2–3 tbsp fish sauce: one of my favorite Thai sauces! Adds a savory, umami flavor that brings and balances out all the flavors in the curry.
• 1–2 tbsp brown sugar: Not to make it sweet, but just to help balance all the flavors.
• 1-2 tbsp tamarind paste (optional): Adds a sour note, and a complex fruity hint of flavor. 

How to make Slow Cooker Massaman Beef Curry : Step by Step

Mix together 1/2 cup homemade or store-bought Massaman curry paste and 1 can coconut milk in your crockpot.

Add 3 lbs lean beef stew meat, 4 white, waxy potatoes, 1 sweet potato, and 1 small white onion. I like to cook it low and slow for 8 hours, but cooking it on high for 4-6 hours works fine too.

Once it’s done, sprinkle 1/2 cup peanuts over it, then add 2-3 tablespoons fish sauce, 1-2 teaspoons sugar, and 1-2 tablespoons tamarind paste, to taste.

Serve with jasmine rice and your favorite veggie dish like Thai Vegetable Stir-Fry!

Recipe Tips & Tricks

• Make sure you chop all the veggies around the same size, so they all finish cooking around the same time, so you don’t have some hard chunks, and some overly mushy chunks.
• Don’t open the slow cooker lid while it’s cooking. The heat escapes, and then it takes longer to cook.
• My Thai Hubby doesn’t like thick Massman curry, but some people do!
  • If the curry sauce is thinner than you want, transfer the curry sauce to a pan, and bring it to a gentle boil.
  • Mix together 2 tbsp of cornstarch with ¼ cup of water. Pour it into the boiling curry sauce, and stir until it thickens.
  • Feel free to add more water cornstarch mixture if it’s not thickening enough to your liking. 

Additions and Substitutions

• Beef substitute: You can use other meat, such as chicken or pork, but if using chicken I recommend chicken thighs which stay more moist if cooked for a long time.
• Tamarind Substitute: Lime juice, or just leave it out. 
• Fish Sauce Substitute: Soy sauce + a dash of vinegar + a pinch of salt
• Massaman Curry Paste Substitute: Thai Yellow curry paste is very similar, or make your own Massaman curry paste.

Storage & Reheating

• Fridge and Freezer: According to the FDA Food Code,  prepared perishable foods, like Massman Curry, are good for:
  • Fridge: 3-7 days 
  • Freezer: 2-3 months 
• Reheat Frozen Massaman Curry: We prefer to defrost it overnight in the fridge. Or you can defrost and reheat in a microwave on a low (20% setting). Or warm it in the oven or pan. 

The Story Behind Massaman Beef Curry Slow Cooker Recipe

The soothing, comforting smell of Massaman Beef Curry Slow Cooker is wafting through our house as I sit typing this, and my dear old crock pot is doing all the work for me.

I love Thai Massaman Curry, and so do my kids since it’s not spicy, and the meat is so tender that it’s easy for them to eat.

But what’s even more amazing is using a slow cooker to make it since with Thai food, I hardly ever have the opportunity.

Many Thai dishes are stir-fried quickly a few minutes before it’s time to sit down and eat, and taste best eaten immediately, so I’ve had some stressful moments in the middle of stir-frying when guests walk in the door and I can’t jump over to greet them because the house might burn down if I do.

Massaman Beef Curry Slow Cooker is one of my fav dishes to cook for when we are hosting, and I want to make sure dinner is ready, and I’m ready to greet and host when everyone arrives.

What’s your go-to meal when you are hosting??

Slow Cooker Massaman Curry Frequently Asked Questions

Other Thai Curry Recipes You’ll Love

• Slow Cooker Chicken Curry: A cozy, hands-off curry with tender chicken and coconut milk that simmers all day in the slow cooker.
• Thai Green Curry: Vibrant and fragrant, this green curry is packed with veggies and your choice of protein for a classic Thai favorite.
• Instant Pot Chicken Curry: Easy Thai Coconut Curry: One of my go-to recipes when I need a Thai super quick weeknight dinner to the rescue!
• Thai Yellow Curry Noodle Soup: Comforting noodles in a creamy yellow curry broth, loaded with veggies and full of cozy flavors.

Let’s Stay Connected Dear!

And if you want to learn how to make it in person, come join one of my Thai cooking classes in Boone, NC!

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