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Authentic Beef Rendang

A world-renowned slow-cooked Indonesian dish featuring tender beef simmered in coconut milk and rich spices until dark and caramelized.

Hard 30 min prep 180 min cook 210 min total 6 servings 4.9/10
Ready in
210 minutes

Makes 6 servings

About This Recipe

A world-renowned slow-cooked Indonesian dish featuring tender beef simmered in coconut milk and rich spices until dark and caramelized.

Traditional Indonesian slow-cooked dry curry loaded with aromatic spices.

Ratings

Expert Rating
4.9
95% confidence
Final Score
4.9
90% confidence

Category Scores

10.0
Taste
7.5
Difficulty
9.0
Presentation
6.5
Nutrition
9.0
Value
9.0
Instructions
9.0
Ingredients
9.0
Time Accuracy
8.5
Would Make Again
9.3
Overall

Cooking Timeline

Prep 30 min
Cook 180 min
  1. Step 1
  2. Step 2
  3. Step 3
  4. Step 4 2 min
  5. Step 5 1 min

Ingredients

Meat

Coconut & Liquids

Aromatics & Spice Paste

Spices

Equipment

  • Heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or Wok Essential for long simmering
  • Food processor For grinding spice paste
  • Wooden spatula For frequent stirring

Instructions

  1. 1

    Blend shallots, garlic, ginger, galangal, lemongrass, and dried chilies into a smooth spice paste.

  2. 2

    In a heavy-bottomed wok or Dutch oven, combine coconut milk and the spice paste over medium heat.

  3. 3

    Add beef chunks and bring to a simmer, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

  4. 4

    Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally as the liquid reduces and thickens.

    2 min
  5. 5

    Continue cooking until the coconut oil separates from the coconut milk and the beef fries in its own oil until dark brown and caramelized.

    1 min

Nutrition

Calories 520
Protein 34g
Carbs 12g
Fat 38g
Fiber 3g
Sugar 4g
Sodium 580g
Serving Size 1 serving

Expert Review

Verdict

An extraordinarily flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth masterpiece of Southeast Asian cuisine.

Pros

  • Deep complex flavors
  • Incredible tender texture
  • Freezes well

Cons

  • Requires long unattended cooking time

Overview

Traditional Indonesian slow-cooked dry curry loaded with aromatic spices.

AI Insights

Summary

A world-renowned slow-cooked Indonesian dish featuring tender beef simmered in coconut milk and rich spices until dark and caramelized.

Tips

  • Stir more frequently as the sauce thickens toward the end to avoid scorching
  • Use full-fat canned coconut milk for the richest flavor and oil separation
  • Cut the beef into uniform chunks for even cooking

Substitutions

  • Galangal → Extra ginger (though galangal provides authentic flavor)

Storage

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.

Pairing

Steamed jasmine rice Cucumber pickle slices

AI Cooking Assistant

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FAQ

Can I use beef stew meat?
Yes, beef chuck or stew meat works best because it becomes tender during the long cooking process.
How long does rendang last?
It keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and tastes even better the next day.

About the Author

FindEdition Kitchen

Recipe tested and reviewed by the FindEdition culinary team.

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