The Best Homemade Massaman Curry Recipe

What You’ll Love About This Recipe

You’ll love this Massaman Curry recipe because it’s rich, comforting, and packed with flavor. Plus, it’s easier to make at home than you might think!

• Bold, balanced flavors—the blend of spices, coconut milk, and tender meat creates a dish that’s both sweet and savory.
• Simple ingredients—most of what you need is already in your pantry or easy to find at the store.
• Customizable—swap in your favorite protein or veggies to make it just the way you like it.

Recipe

Massaman curry is a rich and flavorful Thai dish with a blend of sweet, savory, and mildly spicy notes. This homemade version features tender meat, potatoes, and peanuts in a fragrant coconut curry sauce.

Ingredients:

• 500g beef or chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 cups coconut milk
• 2 tbsp Massaman curry paste
• 1 large potato, cubed
• 1 onion, quartered
• 1/2 cup roasted peanuts
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp palm sugar (or brown sugar)
• 1 tbsp tamarind paste
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 cardamom pods
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander

Instructions:

1. Heat 1/2 cup of coconut milk in a pot over medium heat until it starts to separate.
2. Add the Massaman curry paste and stir for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Add the meat and cook until lightly browned.
4. Pour in the remaining coconut milk and bring to a simmer.
5. Add cinnamon, cardamom, bay leaf, cumin, and coriander. Simmer for 30 minutes (beef) or 15 minutes (chicken).
6. Stir in potatoes, onion, peanuts, fish sauce, palm sugar, and tamarind paste.
7. Simmer for another 15-20 minutes until potatoes are tender.
8. Adjust seasoning with more fish sauce or sugar if needed.

Notes:

• For a vegetarian version, replace meat with tofu or chickpeas.
• Adjust spice level by adding more or less curry paste.

Equipment:

• Large pot
• Wooden spoon
• Measuring spoons

Time:

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cooking time: 45-60 minutes

Cuisine: Thai

Serving: 4

Nutrition

Massaman curry is a flavorful dish that combines rich spices with hearty ingredients. Here’s the nutritional breakdown per serving (approximate values):

What To Serve With It

I love serving my homemade Massaman curry with fluffy steamed jasmine rice because it soaks up the sauce perfectly. Sometimes, I’ll pair it with crispy roti bread for a bit of crunch and extra flavor. Both options make the meal feel complete and satisfying.

Steamed Jasmine Rice

Since Massaman curry is rich and flavorful, you’ll want something light and simple to balance it out—that’s where steamed jasmine rice comes in. I always reach for jasmine rice when making Thai dishes because its subtle floral aroma complements the curry perfectly. It’s easy to cook, too—just rinse the rice until the water runs clear, add it to a pot with water, and let it steam until fluffy. The neutral texture and mild taste of the rice let the curry shine while keeping every bite satisfying. Trust me, you won’t need much else for a complete, comforting meal.

Crispy Roti Bread

For a delicious twist alongside Massaman curry, you can’t go wrong with crispy roti bread. I love how its flaky layers soak up the rich, creamy sauce, adding a perfect crunch to every bite. Making it at home is simpler than you’d think—just knead flour, water, and a pinch of salt, then roll it thin and cook until golden. Sometimes, I sprinkle sesame seeds for extra flavor. Store-bought roti works too if you’re short on time. Either way, it’s a game-changer. Trust me, once you try this combo, you’ll wonder how you ever ate curry without it.

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younes

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