Jamaican beef curry recipe - a delicious one pot melt-in-your-mouth Caribbean stew (Curry Beef) made using a slow cooker served with sweet potatoes

If you're looking for a recipe that's hearty, tasty and incredibly filling all in one serving then this Jamaican beef curry is the one for you.

It is very simple to make, no fuss, not much prep and clean up because I made the recipe using a slow cooker.

All you will need is plenty of simmering time to await the results - melt in your mouth meat!!

**FOR THE SAKE OF GOOGLE SEARCH AND SEO TERMS THE TITLE IS "BEEF CURRY" NOT "CURRY BEEF"as the Jamaican linguistics would call it. I just wanted to clarify the reasons for that specific wording. It's not because I don't know what my own cultural cuisines are called**

Dutch pot vs slower cooker

I grew up on Jamaican curry beef in fact it was a staple in our household.

Jamaicans like most Caribbean islands are partial to some Stew Beef, mutton, goat meat and even Curry Shrimp.

We have our own traditional way of cooking meat which tends to be in a dutch pot (aka dutch oven or dutchie) using Caribbean infused Curry Powder (not the same flavour as Indian curry).

Search the cupboards of an Island person and you'll will find a dutchie or two waiting to be used. I don't think a week goes by without having it on rotation.

While the preferred choice of saucepan to make Jamaican beef curry would be a dutch pot. I wanted to change the status quo by preparing my curry using my slow cooker.

I've made this recipe using my slow cooker a number of times now and I must admit I do prefer the results that a slow cooker yields.

That isn't to say a dutch oven can't do the trick but the key is in the length of cooking time (think 4hrs at least).

Trust me, it really makes a helluva difference to the tenderness of the beef and not to mention the aromatic flavour.

Benefits of using a slow cooker

I honestly don't know where I would be without my slow cooker. It's makes some great tasting stews and casseroles.

Don't be deterred because this isn't the traditional way of making a Caribbean dish, sometimes it's a good idea to diversify and try new things.

A slow cooker..........

• Eliminates the temptation of buying an unhealthy takeaway, instead opting for tasty nutritional comfort food.
• Only requires one or two steps - browning the meat and then cooking in the slow cooker.
• Great to make some winter comfort food but can use throughout the year.
• Low wattage making it cost effective compared to using an oven.
• Long low temperature cooking helps to tenderise the meat, even the cheapest cuts of meat taste like premium produce.
• Brings out the true depth in flavour.
• Can leave the slow cooker on while you carry out chores or even go to work or run errands returning to a warm home cooked meal.

How to cook Jamaican curry beef in a slow cooker

Seasoning the meat - the first thing you need to do is season the meat. I do this overnight, so the raw ingredients are given enough time to penetrate the meat. If you want to add some additional seasoning then add some of my Beef seasoning.

Browning the meat - Even though the slow cooker will be doing the bulk of the work, searing the meat is recommended to seal in the flavour before it is left to cook for several hours.

Transferring the meat to the slow cooker - I add the meat to the crock pot then add my potatoes which I like to cut in a either quarters or halves. Some people add them towards the later stage of cooking put or add them at the beginning. I simply make sure they rest towards the top so they cook in the liquid but don't break up in the stew.

The liquid - Unlike stove top saucepans/skillets, slow cooker trap in the moisture where there is no way for the liquid to evaporate. It is very important to ensure the correct amount of liquid is added to create your stew. I used 2 cups of water. While the beef is browning it should yield it's own liquid which results in roughly a cups worth.

The slurry - Slow cookers retain their moisture which means the stews require thickening.  Remedy this by adding a slurry (a thickening agent containing starch mixed with water) 30 minutes towards the end of cooking.

Can you cook this recipe on the stovetop instead?

Yes, you can follow the instructions but instead of using a slow cooker, use a casserole dish or dutch pot. Reduce the simmering time to 1 hr and 30 minutes instead. Do check the liquid levels and replenish by ½ cup if required.

No slurry is required for the stove top version

Can I eat this with something that's low carb instead?

Yes, if you are watching your calories, you are more than welcome to serve the curry with vegetables (spinach, kale, callaloo or leafy greens) in place of potatoes.

The steps (slow cooker version)

• Add the beef and contents to a pan and begin to sear the meat

• Add the sweet potato pieces/wedges to the slow cooker along with the meat and sprigs of thyme

• Finally add the tomato puree and coconut cream before placing the lid on

Notes and tips

Suitable for home freezing for up to 3 months.

• • As per Caribbean tradition the meat is always washed prior to being seasoned.

• • Adding the sweet potatoes towards the beginning of starting slow cooking will yield super soft potatoes. You can alternatively, cut them up smaller and add 1 hour -45 minutes before the finishing time.

• • If you cannot get white fleshed sweet potatoes (Caribbean ones) use orange ones instead.

• • When adding water, always use warm/hot water to keep temperature levels consistent.

• • I've updated the ingredients from when I first made the recipe by adding my   Beef Seasoning.

• • You can chop the sweet potato into wedges or pieces.

• • For best results use my Homemade Curry Powder

• • To keep this low carb omit the potatoes and pair with vegetables.

• • Always do a taste test before and adjust seasoning/salt levels prior to serving.

Side dishes to pair this with