The Best Beef Vindaloo Recipe

Experience the fiery, flavorful depths of Jacki Passmore's legendary Beef Vindaloo, originally featured in her 1978 "All Asian Cookbook." This isn't your average vindaloo; it's a taste sensation that surpasses ready-made pastes and even rivals the best Indian restaurants (one son even claimed to find only the *second* best version in Fiji!). The secret? Freshly ground spices, meticulously blended and marinated to perfection. Prepare for a culinary adventure that'll have you coming back for more! (Pro-tip: We recommend using a coffee grinder for perfectly fine spice powder.)

Prep Time 60 mins
Cook Time 150 mins
Calories 138.3 kcal
Protein 6g
Rating Be the first
The Best Beef Vindaloo 38

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Forktionary editorial kitchen team

The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for The Best Beef Vindaloo

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How to Make The Best Beef Vindaloo

  1. Trim 1.5 lbs beef and cut into 2-inch cubes.
  2. Set aside.
  3. In a coffee grinder, finely grind 2 tbsp coriander seeds, 1 tbsp cumin seeds, 1 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp fennel seeds, and 1/2 tsp mustard seeds.
  4. Grind 4-6 fresh green chilies (adjust to your spice preference), 2 cloves garlic, 1 small onion, and 1-inch piece of ginger into a smooth paste.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the ground spice powder with 2 tbsp white wine vinegar. Rub the mixture thoroughly into the beef cubes.
  6. Add the onion paste to the marinated meat and leave to marinate for at least 2 hours (or preferably overnight in the refrigerator).
  7. Heat 3 tbsp ghee (or vegetable oil) in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes in batches until deeply colored.
  8. Add 2 bay leaves and 1.5 cups beef stock (or water). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 120-150 minutes, or until the beef is incredibly tender.
  9. Season to taste with salt (optional). If time allows, let the vindaloo rest overnight to allow the flavors to meld completely before serving.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

18 g

Sugar

8g

Fat

30g

Carbs

2g

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make The Best Beef Vindaloo?

The Best Beef Vindaloo takes about 210 minutes from start to finish — roughly 60 minutes to prepare and 150 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in The Best Beef Vindaloo?

The Best Beef Vindaloo has approximately 138.3 calories per serving, with about 6 g protein, 2 g carbohydrates and 16 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for The Best Beef Vindaloo?

The key ingredients for The Best Beef Vindaloo are Chuck Steak, Coriander, Cumin, Cloves, Cinnamon Sticks, Black Peppercorns. See the full list with measurements above.

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