Botswana Beef and Bean Curry
A hearty and aromatic curry featuring tender chunks of beef simmered with a medley of beans and a rich blend of spices, offering a taste of Botswana's diverse culinary influences.
🧂 Ingredients
- 750 g Beef chuck(cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 400 g Kidney beans(canned, drained and rinsed)
- 400 g Black-eyed peas(canned, drained and rinsed)
- 2 medium Onions(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 tbsp Ginger(grated)
- 400 g Tomatoes(canned, crushed)
- 500 ml Beef broth
- 200 ml Coconut milk(full-fat)
- 2 tbsp Curry powder
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Coriander
- 0.5 tsp Turmeric
- 0.25 tsp Cayenne pepper(or to taste)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Season beef cubes generously with salt and black pepper.
- 2
Heat vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Remove browned beef and set aside.
- 3
Add chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened and lightly golden, about 6-8 minutes.
- 4
Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 5
Add curry powder, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until spices are fragrant.
- 6
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and beef broth. Bring to a simmer, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits.
- 7
Return the browned beef to the pot. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for at least 1 hour, or until the beef is tender.
- 8
Stir in the drained kidney beans and black-eyed peas. Add the coconut milk and simmer for another 15-20 minutes, uncovered, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- 9
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- 10
Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, use a good quality beef broth.
- ✓If you prefer a thicker curry, you can simmer it for longer or create a slurry with a tablespoon of cornstarch and a little water, then stir it into the curry.
- ✓This curry tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add diced potatoes or carrots along with the beans for extra vegetables.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the beef with firm tofu or extra mixed beans and use vegetable broth.