Sylheti Beef Curry
Stewing beef, cut into chunks, hatkora (hatxora citrus), sliced and coriander powder come together in this beef — 70 minutes, 7 steps, and the kind of result worth repeating. Scroll down for the ingredient checklist, a serving scaler and unit converter, and the method broken into 7 steps.
You'll mainly reach for frying pan / skillet and large pot. At medium difficulty across 7 steps, it's manageable with a little attention.
What you'll need
Shopping list (5)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
Diet: contains meat, based on every ingredient listed below.
Contains: none of the major allergens we track from the ingredients listed.
Allergen labels are informational and may not cover cross-contact; verify every package and consult a qualified professional for medical dietary needs. Diet labels are derived from the ingredient list on this page — how we verify diet and allergen labels.
Food-safety and allergen information is general, not medical advice. Follow current guidance from your local food-safety authority, verify product labels, and seek qualified advice for allergies or health conditions.
How to make it
- Heat the oil in a heavy pot over medium heat and fry the sliced onions until soft and deep golden brown, about 10 minutes.
- Add the ginger-garlic paste and cook for 2 minutes until the raw smell disappears, then stir in the turmeric, cumin, coriander and chilli powders with a splash of water to form a fragrant paste.
- Add the beef chunks and season with salt, stirring to coat every piece in the spice paste, and fry over medium-high heat for 5 to 8 minutes to seal the meat.
- Pour in the hot water, bring to a boil, then cover and simmer gently for about 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally and topping up with water if needed, until the beef is fork-tender.
- Add the sliced hatkora and the slit green chillies, then continue to simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes so the citrus perfumes the curry and the sauce thickens.
- Taste and adjust the salt and heat, and if you prefer a milder citrus note remove the hatkora pieces before they turn too bitter.
- Rest the curry off the heat for a few minutes, then serve hot with plain rice.
You'll use: Frying pan / skillet · Large pot · Saucepan
Tips & common questions
How long does Sylheti Beef Curry take to make?
About 70 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 7 steps and 12 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
How should I store leftovers?
Cool leftovers quickly, refrigerate in an airtight container, and eat within 3 days. Reheat until piping hot throughout.
Related recipes
Adapted recipe — rewritten in our own wording from an open-licensed community cookbook, not yet independently kitchen-tested by Consomee. How we source, test & correct recipes.
Sylheti Beef Curry is adapted by Consomee from the Wikibooks Cookbook, rewritten in our own wording and used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo: ꠉꠞꠥ ꠉꠥꠍ꠆ꠔꠞ ꠚꠣꠟ.jpg by AbuSayeed, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons. We add the serving scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure — how we source recipes.