Hearty Caribbean Beef Curry

 

🥘 Hearty Caribbean Beef Curry

🍽️ Servings: 4–6 | ⏲️ Total Time: ~2 hours (30 min hands-on)

Bring the soul of the Caribbean to your kitchen with this rich, slow-simmered beef curry 🌴🔥. Packed with warm spices, tender meat, and vibrant herbs, this dish is the perfect balance of bold flavor and comforting warmth. Whether paired with rice, roti, or plantains — every bite feels like a sunny escape.

🌶️ Ingredients

↪️For the Curry:

2 lbs (900g) stewing beef (chuck or brisket), cut into 1½-inch cubes

1 tbsp Caribbean curry powder (like Chief or Blue Mountain)

1 tbsp ground allspice (pimento)

2 tbsp green seasoning (optional but traditional)

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 thumb-sized piece fresh ginger, grated

2 scallions, chopped

1 Scotch bonnet or habanero (whole for mild heat, sliced for spicy)

1½ tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

2 tbsp vegetable oil

2 tbsp tomato paste

1½–2 cups beef broth or water

2–3 sprigs fresh thyme

1–2 potatoes, peeled and cubed

(Optional) ½ tsp brown sugar

🔪 Instructions:

✅️1. Marinate the Beef

In a bowl, mix beef with curry powder, allspice, salt, pepper, garlic, ginger, and green seasoning (if using).

Let marinate for 30 minutes or overnight for deeper flavor.

✅️2. Brown the Meat

Heat oil in a Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high.

Sear beef in batches until well-browned. Remove and set aside.

✅️3. Build the Base

In the same pot, add onion, scallions, thyme, and more oil if needed.

Sauté until onions are soft and golden.

Stir in tomato paste; cook 1–2 minutes to deepen the flavor.

✅️4. Simmer the Curry

Return beef to the pot. Pour in broth or water until just covering the meat.

Add Scotch bonnet (whole or sliced).

Cover and simmer on low heat for 1½–2 hours, until meat is fork-tender.

✅️5. Add Potatoes

In the final 30 minutes, add cubed potatoes.

Simmer uncovered to thicken the curry and soften the potatoes.

Taste and adjust seasoning; add a pinch of sugar if needed.

🍽️ Serve With:

Steamed white rice

Caribbean rice & peas or coconut rice

Roti, naan, or fried plantains

Crisp cabbage slaw for contrast

📝 Tips:

No green seasoning? Use a mix of chopped cilantro, parsley, and lime juice.

For richness, stir in coconut milk or butter just before serving.

Even better next day! Flavors deepen beautifully overnight.