Kerala Beef Vindaloo- Anglo-Indian Recipe (2024)



Kerala Beef Vindaloo

Vindaloo is often synonymous with fiery, bold, pungent curries. It is one Indian curry that needs no introduction. It is lip-smacking delicious, tenderly cooked meat in a spicy gravy. It is almost pickle like with flavor of vinegar and ground mustard. But again, the perfect vindaloo curry strikes the right balance with chilies, aromatic spices, and vinegar- a perfect balance of acidity, spicy heat, and flavor of earthy spices.

Authentic Goan Vindaloo is made with pork, but you can also use beef or mutton. Vindaloo may sound complicated, but it is an easy recipe. You can make a restaurant-style curry right in your kitchen. Today I am sharing two ways to cook this recipe. Thetraditional slow-cooked stove top recipeandan Instant pot recipe. Recently I have been making this curry in Instant pot and it comes out perfect each time.

Beef Vindaloo is a quintessential dish for Christmas feasts in Kerala. It is popular among Christians and the Anglo-Indian community. I love the simplicity of Kerala style vindaloo. It is often calledVinagiri CurryorVinagiri Irachimeaning meat cooked with vinegar. It varies from region to region and each house has its signature dish. There is a noticeable tang of vinegar and the acidity is beautifully balanced with spices. There is no blistering excess of chilies. It is only added for color. Chilly powder like Kashmiri is preferred for the color rather than heat. It has the spicy kick of black pepper and the earthy flavor of mustard, fennel, fenugreek, clove, and cumin. It tastes divine with soft lacy appam.

So do you love indulging in spicy food? Do you enjoy pickle sourness and taste? Well, then this recipe will be perfect for you. It tastes best with soft appam but you can also serve this steamed rice, or even better the old fashion way with toasted bread. So get your ingredients together and try this recipe. Let me know how it turned out for you:)



How Vindaloo became an integral part of Indian cuisine?

Here is a little peek into the history of Vindaloo- a classic dish that has strong European influence. It took elements from the Portuguese and English cuisine to create something uniquely Indian. It is an Indianized version of popular Portuguese dishCarne de vinha d'alhosin which meat is marinated in wine vinegar and garlic. It made its way to India in the 15th century along with Portuguese explorers.Carne de vinha d'alhoswas a dish that was usually carried by travelers and sailors. It had liberal use of vinegar and garlic and can be preserved. Indian cooks of Goa used local ingredients like palm vinegar, tamarind, black pepper, and spices. With the introduction of chilly to the Indian cuisine by the Portuguese, it adapted itself to a fiery rich curry. British took up Vindaloo and made it their own and became an integral part of Indian cuisine.

Kerala Style Beef Vindaloo

Vindaloo became popular in Goa, Konkan, and Kerala because of the Portuguese and Anglo Indian community. Cochin was a onetime Portuguese stronghold and their influence can be seen in the local cuisine. This dish is a must among Christians and the Anglo Indian community of the region, for special occasions and celebrations. Vinagiri irachi has the spicy kick of black pepper and the earthy flavor of mustard, fennel, fenugreek, and cumin. Chilly powder like kashmiri is preferred for the color rather than heat. Black pepper was the spice of choice for generations in Kerala cooking. Goan Vindaloo uses the pungent liquorfenibut the Cochin recipe uses a milder local coconut vinegar. A small piece of drumstick or Muringa trees bark is also added as meat tenderizer. There is no tamarind, tomatoes or vegetables in vinagiri curry and is made with both beef and pork. There is also liberal use of coconut oil and curry leaves.

Now coming to the recipe...


Spices soaked in vinegar

Marinate the beef with the spice mix

Recipe for Kerala Beef Vindaloo- Vinagiri Irachi


Cooking time- 30 minutes
Prep time- 25 minutes
Recipe Type- Meat curry/side dish
Cuisine- Kerala

Ingredients

Beef cubed- 1 kg
Onion finely chopped- 1 large
Shallot- 3-4
Curry leaves- a few
Green chilly-1
Salt to taste
Sugar- 1 tsp
Coconut oil- 2 tbs

For the marinade

Dry red chilly- 4-5
Kashmiri chilly powder- 1 1/2 tbs
Turmeric powder- 1/2 tsp
Black pepper- 1 1/2 tsp
Ginger- 2 inch thick piece
Garlic- 6-8 pods
Cumin seeds- 1/2 tsp
Fennel seeds- 1 tsp
Fenugreek seeds- 1/2 tsp
Mustard seeds-1 tbs
Cinnamon- 2 pieces
Clove- 8
Cardamon- 2
Vinegar- 1/4 cup

To make Vindaloo- Stove top method

Remove the seeds of dry red chilies if you want it less spicy. In a bowl add the chilies, mustard seeds, fennel seeds, pepper, fenugreek seeds, cumin, cinnamon, clove, and cardamon. Add vinegar and let it soak for 10 minutes.

Make a fine paste of this mixture along with ginger and garlic. Mix Kashmiri chilli powder.

Marinate the beef with this paste. Add finely chopped shallots and curry leaves, salt and a teaspoon of coconut oil and mix well.

Cover and refrigerate and let it marinate for at least two hours.

Note- The longer the marinade the better it tastes. It is good to marinate it overnight. If you plan to marinate it overnight make a marinade paste with water instead. Mix vinegar one hour before cooking.

Heat coconut oil in a pan and add sliced onion, green chilly and curry leaves. Saute till onions turn golden brown.

Add the marinated meat and stir fry it for about 8-10 minutes till it gets slightly browns. Add one cup of water cover and cook till the beef is soft and tender and till the oil separates. This will take about twenty minutes in medium heat. Add a teaspoon of sugar to bring a balance of taste. Check the salt taste and add a few curry leaves. Allow the gravy to thicken. Serve this with rice or naan or chapati.

How to cook Beef vindaloo in Instant Pot

Follow the same instruction as mentioned above to marinate the beef. I use Instant Pot duo.

Set Instant pot to saute function high mode. When it is warm add coconut oil and add sliced onion, green chilly and curry leaves. Saute till onions turn golden brown. This will take about 5-6 minutes.

Add the meat and saute the meat for another 7-8 minutes or till it is slightly brown.

Add half a cup of water. The meat will release and cook in its water.

Close the lid and check the steam release handle. Turn it to sealing position.

Press manual or pressure cook on high. Set the time for 20 minutes. Once cooked allow pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. It is ready to serve.

If you find that the gravy is not thick enough, cancel and set again to saute mode for another 5-6 minutes. Serve with rice, appam, naan or bread.

Like this recipe, check these beef recipes from this blog,

Kerala Beef Fry

Kerala Beef Biryani


You might also like,
Mutton Vindaloo

Kerala Beef Biryani

Ellum Kappa/Kappa Biryani
Koorka Irachi/ Chinese Potato and Beef Curry
Persian Mutton Roast and Saffron Dill Rice
Kerala Mutton Peralan
Mutton Rogan Josh

Try it,
Hope you will all enjoy!


Kerala Beef Vindaloo- Anglo-Indian Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is vindaloo British or Indian? ›

Vindaloo or Vindalho is an Indian curry dish, originally from Goa. It is based on the Portuguese dish carne de vinha d'alhos. It is known globally in its British Indian form as a staple of curry house and Indian restaurant menus and is often regarded as a fiery, spicy dish.

What is vindaloo sauce made of? ›

Typically, vindaloo is made up of vindaloo sauce, which is usually made from caramelized onions, curry paste, coconut milk, vinegar, ginger, chilies, jalapeño, garlic, chickpeas, lentils, and other spices like garam masala, salt, pepper, paprika, and turmeric.

Is vindaloo north or south Indian? ›

The vindaloo is a traditional recipe of the Catholic community of Goa, an Indian state on the country's southwestern coast. However, its origins lie 5,500 miles (8,850km) to the west, in Portugal, from where an earlier variant of the dish made its way to Goa with Portuguese explorers in the early 15th century.

What meat is traditionally used in vindaloo? ›

The meat. The Portuguese have long been big on pig, making vindaloo one of the few Indian curries that's traditionally made with pork, though Lizzie Collingham notes in her fascinating historical survey, Curry: A Biography, that the British liked it better with duck – “and so do I”.

What Indian curry is hotter than a vindaloo? ›

Phall has achieved notoriety as the spiciest generally available dish from Indian restaurants. It is, however, quite rare to find in comparison to vindaloo (which is usually the staple hottest curry of most Indian restaurants in the UK).

Which is hotter vindaloo or tikka masala? ›

Vindaloo is known for its spicy and tangy profile, often made with vinegar and hot spices. Tikka Masala, on the other hand, has a creamy tomato-based sauce with milder spices, resulting in a rich and mildly spiced flavor. Your preference depends on your taste for spice and degree of creaminess.

Who invented beef vindaloo? ›

The Vindaloo is a classic food from Goa, an Indian state on the country's southwestern coast, where the Catholic community thrives. However, it comes from Portugal, 5,500 miles to the west, when an older version of the dish was brought to Goa by Portuguese explorers in the early 15th century.

Why is vindaloo so red? ›

The beef and the curry paste marinade

Kashmiri chilli – This is an Indian chilli that is a little smoky as well as spicy. The Kashmiri chilli gives the curry sauce its signature bright red colour and chilli heat.

Is vindaloo better than tikka masala? ›

Biju Thomas of Biju's Little Curry Shop in Denver suggests switching up the sauce: Order vindaloo instead of tikka masala. It's intensely spicy, but has plenty of bright, acidic, and vinegar-tinged notes. This is in direct contrast to tikka masala which, while delicious, is creamy and rich.

What should vindaloo taste like? ›

What does vindaloo taste like? Vindaloo is a spicy Indian curry dish that is known for its bold, aromatic flavor and heat. The main ingredients in a vindaloo are a variety of aromatic spices, including mustard seeds, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chili peppers, which give the dish its characteristic heat and flavor.

Is a vindaloo good for you? ›

Tikkas and vindaloos can also soothe asthma and coughs, and researchers say they even help yoga fans, because they help to stretch muscle ligaments. Scientists have found that curcumin — an extract of curry powder ingredient turmeric — is a “natural antibiotic†.

What is the difference between korma and vindaloo? ›

Korma is as mild as Vindaloo is hot. Made from Coconut and Almond it is similar to Pasanda with the difference being that Korma includes Saffron which creates a pale yellow color while Pasanda is always white.

What is the difference between Masala and vindaloo? ›

Masala is an umberala term which will have whole spices, powder spices and sauteed chopped onion and tomato with 4 base spices. Vindaloo is a dish from indian state of goa. The name has come from portuguese term vin and alo meaning vinegar and garlic. The spices are soaked in vinegar with garlic and then stone ground.

What is the difference between vindaloo and Madras curry? ›

Vindaloo curry powder is known for being very hot. The extreme heat is the most noticeable addition by the Goans. Madras curry powder is hotter than standard curry powder, but not as hot as vindaloo curry powder. The difference in the amount of chile pepper in each blend also leads to another difference: appearance.

Did the British invent vindaloo? ›

The Vindaloo is a classic food from Goa, an Indian state on the country's southwestern coast, where the Catholic community thrives. However, it comes from Portugal, 5,500 miles to the west, when an older version of the dish was brought to Goa by Portuguese explorers in the early 15th century.

Which Indian dishes are actually British? ›

  • Kedgeree (from the Indian name Khichdi)
  • Mulligatawny Soup (from the Tamil dish Milagu-tanni or pepper water, a.k.a. Rasam)
  • Curry (no Indian name; this is an original British name).
Nov 10, 2022

Where did vindaloo originate from? ›

Chicken Vindaloo is a spicy and tangy Indian curry that has gained immense popularity all over the world for its unique blend of flavors. It is a traditional Goan dish that has its origins in the Portuguese colonial period.

Is curry from India or Britain? ›

Curry is inextricably linked with the Indian Subcontinent, or South Asia. The word was invented by the British however, when India was under colonial rule. According to one account, 'Curry' is the anglicised version of the Tamil word 'kari', which means a sauce or gravy, instead of a spice.

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