Rendang Daging
Indonesian Dry Beef Curry
A rich and intensely flavored Indonesian dry beef curry, where beef is slow-cooked in coconut milk and a complex spice paste until the liquid evaporates and the meat is tender and caramelized. Considered by many to be one of the world's best dishes.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Beef chuck or brisket(Cut into 5-6 cm (2-inch) cubes. Choose well-marbled cuts for best flavor and tenderness.)
- 800 ml Thick coconut milk(Use full-fat, good quality coconut milk for richness.)
- 250 g Shallots(Peeled and roughly chopped. (Approximately 10-12 medium shallots).)
- 5 cm piece Galangal(Peeled and thinly sliced. If fresh is unavailable, use 1 tablespoon of ground galangal.)
- 3 stalks Lemongrass(Trimmed, tough outer layers removed, and bruised with the back of a knife or a mallet. Use only the tender white and pale green parts.)
- 10-15 Dried red chilies(Adjust to your spice preference. Deseeded and soaked in hot water for 15 minutes until softened, then drained.)
- 6 cloves Garlic(Peeled.)
- 3 cm piece Ginger(Peeled and thinly sliced.)
- 2 cm piece Turmeric(Peeled and thinly sliced. Or 1 teaspoon ground turmeric.)
- 4 Candlenuts (kemiri)(Optional, but adds creaminess. If unavailable, substitute with macadamia nuts.)
- 2 teaspoons Coriander seeds(Toasted.)
- 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds(Toasted.)
- 1 teaspoon White peppercorns(Toasted.)
- to taste Salt
- 1 tablespoon Sugar (palm sugar preferred)(Optional, to balance flavors.)
- 4 Kaffir lime leaves(Torn.)
- 2 Bay leaves (daun salam)(If available.)
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the spice paste (Bumbu): In a food processor or blender, combine the soaked dried chilies, shallots, galangal, lemongrass (tender parts only), garlic, ginger, turmeric, candlenuts (if using), toasted coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and white peppercorns. Add a tablespoon or two of water if needed to help with blending. Process until a smooth, fine paste forms. This may take several minutes.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 2
Sauté the spice paste: Heat the vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat (around 175°C / 350°F). Add the spice paste and sauté, stirring constantly, until fragrant and the color deepens to a rich reddish-brown, about 10-15 minutes. Be careful not to burn it. Add the kaffir lime leaves and bay leaves (if using) and stir for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 3
Add coconut milk and beef: Pour in the coconut milk. Stir well to combine with the spice paste. Add the beef cubes and stir to coat evenly. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Season with salt and sugar (if using).
⏱️ 10 minutes - 4
Initial simmering and reduction: Once simmering, reduce the heat to low (around 90-100°C / 195-210°F). Cover the pot loosely or leave the lid slightly ajar to allow steam to escape. Simmer gently for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally (every 20-30 minutes) to prevent the bottom from sticking and burning. The liquid should start to reduce and thicken.
⏱️ 2 hours - 5
Drying and caramelization: After 2 hours, remove the lid completely. Continue to simmer on low heat, stirring more frequently now (every 10-15 minutes). The sauce will continue to thicken, and the oil from the coconut milk will begin to separate. Keep stirring as the mixture darkens in color and the beef becomes tender and caramelized. This stage can take another 1.5 to 2 hours.
⏱️ 1.5 - 2 hours - 6
Final cooking: Continue cooking and stirring until the rendang is very dark brown, almost black in places, and the oil has separated and coated the beef. The texture should be dry and the meat incredibly tender. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. This final stage requires constant attention to prevent burning.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 7
Serve: Rendang is best served hot, often with steamed rice, nasi lemak, or roti canai. It can be made a day in advance, as the flavors deepen overnight.
⏱️ 5 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Low and slow cooking is crucial for tender beef and deep flavor development.
- ✓Stir frequently, especially in the later stages, to prevent the rendang from sticking and burning.
- ✓The color and texture change dramatically as the liquid evaporates and the spices caramelize. Don't rush this process.
- ✓Rendang is traditionally from the Minangkabau people of West Sumatra, Indonesia.
- ✓For a spicier rendang, increase the number of dried chilies or add fresh bird's eye chilies to the spice paste.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Chicken Rendang: Use chicken pieces instead of beef, and reduce the cooking time significantly (approx. 1-1.5 hours total).
- Vegetarian Rendang: Use firm tofu, tempeh, or jackfruit as the main ingredient. Adjust cooking times accordingly.
- Additions: Some recipes include tamarind paste for a slight tang, or star anise and cloves for added aroma.
🏷️ Tags
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