Beef cheek rendang

Author: Sam Campbell - Chef

Photographer: Melanie Jenkins

Save to favs/meal planning

Log in now in to enjoy this feature

See favs

Try this tender beef rendang as a healthier take on the traditional Indonesian recipe. It's dairy free and high in iron, fibre and protein.

Serves: 6

Time to make: 2 hrs 30 mins , (1 1/2 - 2 hours slow cook)

Hands-on time: 20 mins

Ingredients

More weights & measures

4 beef cheeks or osso bucco (800g), sinew trimmed and cut into 2cm chunks
1 tablespoon peeled and sliced ginger
1 medium onion, diced
4 dried long red chillies, seeds removed, chopped
4 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons chopped curry leaves (optional)
pinch nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground turmeric
1 tablespoon curry powder
3 tablespoons crushed roasted peanuts
3 tablespoons desiccated coconut
2 stalks lemongrass, sliced lengthwise
½ x 400ml can light coconut milk
4 cups cooked brown rice
8 cups steamed greens

Instructions

1 Spray a cast iron, lidded, deep pan with oil and set over a medium-high heat. When hot enough, brown the beef each side. Remove from pan and set aside.

2 In the same pan, reduce heat to medium, sauté ginger, onion, chilli, garlic and curry leaves, if using, for 3-4 minutes, or until soft. Add nutmeg, cinnamon, turmeric and curry powder and cook a further 2 minutes, stirring well. Return beef to the pan. Add peanuts, coconut, lemongrass, coconut milk and 2 cups water.

3 Cover and simmer for 1½ to 2 hours, until beef is soft. Check by stirring the rendang throughout cooking to ensure there is enough liquid and it doesn’t stick.

4 Serve with brown rice and steamed greens.

Variations

Make it gluten free: Check ground spices are gluten free.

Make it low FODMAP: Use 1 cup of finely sliced green leek leaves instead of onion and 2 tablespoons of garlic-infused oil instead of garlic.

HFG tip

You may find this article useful:

Guide to shopping for beef

More delicious beef curries:

Thai beef curry

Beef massaman curry

Beef and tomato curry

Beef broccoli stir fry curry

Massaman curry with jasmine and pea rice

Beef korma

Beef curry with rice

All our beef recipes

Nutrition Info (per serve)

Calories 510cal

Kilojoules 2130kJ

Protein 36g

Total fat 17g

–Saturated fat 7g

Carbohydrates 50g

–Sugars 7g

Dietary fibre 9g

Sodium 90mg

Calcium 120mg

Iron 5.5mg

Note: This nutrition analysis is a guide only. Nutrition composition will vary depending on the exact ingredients used. See our guides on your optimal daily nutrition intake, and supermarket shopping.

Save to favs/meal planning

Log in now in to enjoy this feature

See favs PRINT