The Coconut Braised Beef recipe is a bold and flavorful dish that combines the richness of slow-braised short ribs with the creamy, fragrant depth of Thai red curry and coconut milk. This dish is a beautiful marriage of East Asian flavors with the comfort of classic Western braising techniques. Every bite delivers fall-apart beef infused with spices, tangy lime, and velvety coconut, creating an unforgettable taste experience.
Ideal for a cozy dinner party or a weekend indulgence, this recipe is all about letting the oven do the work while you savor the aroma wafting through your kitchen. Serve it with jasmine rice or slippery rice noodles to soak up the luscious sauce, and don’t forget a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and chili for that extra burst of freshness and heat. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that looks as impressive as it tastes.
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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3 pounds bone-in beef short ribs
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Salt and black pepper
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2 tablespoons neutral oil
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1 yellow onion, finely diced
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6 garlic cloves, minced
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1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
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2 tablespoons red curry paste
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1 tablespoon fish sauce
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1 tablespoon brown sugar
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1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk
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2 cups beef broth
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Juice of 1 lime
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Fresh cilantro and sliced red chili, for garnish
Directions:
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Season the short ribs generously with salt and pepper.
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Heat oil in a Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat. Sear the short ribs on all sides until deeply browned, about 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
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Lower heat to medium. In the same pot, add diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
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Stir in garlic and ginger, cook for 1 minute. Add red curry paste and stir for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
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Pour in fish sauce, brown sugar, coconut milk, and beef broth. Stir well and return the short ribs to the pot.
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Bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover and braise in a preheated 325°F (160°C) oven for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender.
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Skim any excess fat from the top. Add lime juice for brightness.
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Serve with steamed rice or rice noodles. Garnish with fresh cilantro and red chili slices.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 3 hours | Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
Kcal: 455 kcal | Servings: 6 servings
A Deep Dive into Coconut Braised Beef: A Comforting Fusion of Flavor and Tradition
Coconut Braised Beef is a dish that captivates the senses with its rich, bold, and complex layers of flavor. At its core, this recipe is a celebration of slow-cooked comfort food that draws influence from Southeast Asian cuisine—most notably Thai and Malaysian culinary traditions—while still embracing the timeless appeal of Western-style braising. The combination of fall-off-the-bone beef short ribs, creamy coconut milk, aromatic spices, and a touch of heat makes this an unforgettable meal that feels both exotic and familiar.
The Essence of Braising: A Time-Tested Cooking Technique
Braising is a cooking method that involves searing meat to develop flavor and then simmering it slowly in a flavorful liquid. In the case of Coconut Braised Beef, this liquid is a vibrant blend of coconut milk, beef stock, red curry paste, garlic, ginger, and fish sauce. This approach allows the beef to become incredibly tender while absorbing the rich and aromatic qualities of the braising liquid.
This slow and low method is perfect for tougher cuts of meat such as short ribs, chuck roast, or brisket. Over time, the connective tissue in these cuts breaks down, resulting in a silky texture that melts in your mouth. The transformation of tough meat into something deeply savory and succulent is what makes braising such a beloved technique across cultures.
The Southeast Asian Influence: Coconut, Curry, and Umami
Coconut milk is a central element in many Southeast Asian dishes, prized for its silky texture and ability to carry bold spices without overwhelming them. When paired with red curry paste—a fragrant blend of red chilies, lemongrass, galangal, and other spices—the coconut milk becomes the perfect backdrop for both heat and depth.
What sets Coconut Braised Beef apart is how it harmonizes sweet, salty, spicy, and savory flavors. The fish sauce contributes a necessary layer of umami, while a touch of brown sugar helps balance the heat of the curry paste. Lime juice, added at the end, brings a bright acidity that cuts through the richness of the dish and lifts the overall flavor profile.
Aromatic Foundations: Building Flavor from the Ground Up
Like many great dishes, the flavor in Coconut Braised Beef is built in layers. It starts with browning the meat—a step that caramelizes the surface of the beef, locking in juices and building a base of savory flavor. From there, aromatics like onion, garlic, and ginger are sautéed in the same pot, absorbing the fond left behind by the beef. These ingredients serve as the foundation for the braising liquid, enhancing its depth and complexity.
The red curry paste is briefly toasted with the aromatics to awaken the essential oils in the spices. This step is essential in Thai cooking and infuses the dish with an unmistakable warmth and depth that cannot be achieved by simply stirring the paste into the liquid later.
A Dish That Ages Gracefully: Even Better the Next Day
One of the most appealing aspects of Coconut Braised Beef is how well it stores and even improves over time. As with many stews and braised dishes, the flavors deepen and become more harmonious when allowed to rest overnight in the refrigerator. This makes the dish ideal for meal prep, entertaining, or simply ensuring that your efforts yield delicious rewards for more than one meal.
Reheating the dish gently the next day not only brings it back to life but often enhances its richness and aroma. The coconut milk continues to thicken slightly, and the beef becomes even more tender, soaking in every nuance of the curry-infused broth.
Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Coconut Braised Beef
Because of the dish’s bold flavor and saucy consistency, it pairs beautifully with a simple starch to soak up the rich coconut broth. Traditional pairings include jasmine rice or sticky rice, which act as a blank canvas and allow the flavors of the beef to shine. For a low-carb or grain-free option, cauliflower rice or sautéed greens also make excellent accompaniments.
For a more indulgent touch, serving the beef over buttery mashed potatoes or even soft egg noodles can provide a satisfying contrast in texture. On the side, a fresh cucumber salad with lime and herbs can balance the richness of the beef and offer a refreshing crunch.
Customization and Variations for Home Cooks
One of the reasons Coconut Braised Beef is such a beloved dish among home cooks is its flexibility. While short ribs are a classic choice for braising, you can easily swap in other cuts like beef chuck, brisket, or even oxtail. If beef isn’t your preference, the same cooking method can be adapted to pork shoulder or chicken thighs.
Vegetables can also be added to the pot in the last hour of cooking. Root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and potatoes hold up well to the long cooking time and absorb the aromatic broth beautifully. Adding a handful of fresh spinach, kale, or bok choy right before serving introduces color, freshness, and a nutritional boost.
Spice levels can also be adjusted depending on your preference. For a milder dish, reduce the amount of curry paste or choose a milder variety. Conversely, if you like it hot, feel free to add sliced Thai chilis or a dash of chili oil.
Serving Style and Presentation Tips
Presentation plays a key role in elevating Coconut Braised Beef from a rustic stew to an elegant dinner-party centerpiece. A shallow bowl or wide plate is the best way to showcase the tender beef bathed in golden coconut curry sauce. Garnishes such as fresh cilantro, sliced red chili, lime wedges, and even crispy shallots can enhance both the visual appeal and the flavor experience.
Drizzling a bit of coconut cream or sprinkling toasted sesame seeds on top can add a final gourmet flourish. Whether served family-style from a Dutch oven or plated individually with artistic flair, this dish has the versatility to impress.
Why Coconut Braised Beef is the Ultimate Comfort Food
Comfort food means different things to different people, but Coconut Braised Beef ticks all the boxes for a universally satisfying meal. It’s warm, hearty, and deeply flavorful, with a luxurious texture that feels indulgent without being overly complicated. The dish invites gathering around the table, sharing stories, and savoring slow-cooked goodness.
It also bridges culinary worlds—offering the cozy familiarity of beef stew while introducing exciting elements of Thai and Southeast Asian flavor. This cross-cultural fusion is part of what makes the dish so exciting and appealing to a wide audience.
Health Benefits and Nutritional Highlights
While Coconut Braised Beef is undeniably rich, it also offers a range of nutritional benefits. Coconut milk is a source of healthy fats, particularly medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which may offer metabolic benefits. Ginger and garlic both have anti-inflammatory properties and immune-boosting compounds, making the dish not only delicious but also supportive of overall wellness.
Additionally, braising allows you to use leaner or less expensive cuts of meat without sacrificing tenderness or flavor. Pairing the beef with vegetables and herbs can also boost fiber intake and round out the meal nutritionally.
Conclusion: A Dish Worth Repeating
Coconut Braised Beef isn’t just a recipe—it’s an experience. It captures the essence of slow-cooked comfort food while celebrating the vibrant flavors of Southeast Asia. From its melt-in-your-mouth texture to its creamy, spicy broth, every element of this dish is designed to delight.
Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or just craving something cozy on a rainy day, this dish will always deliver. It’s adaptable, crowd-pleasing, and the kind of meal that makes you feel like a chef in your own home. Once you try it, Coconut Braised Beef is sure to become a staple in your culinary rotation.