Beef Bhuna with Bengali Spices
A smoky, deeply spiced Bengali beef bhuna. This recipe sears rich meat with toasted spices, fenugreek and green chilies, finishing with onion gravy for a bold, rustic curry.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 40 min
Servings:
2 servings
(originally 4 servings)Ingredients(scaled)
- 1 lb beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 ½ tbsp mustard oil (or vegetable oil)
- 1 large onions, finely sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ inch piece ginger, grated
- 1 green chilies, slit
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
- ½ tsp coriander seeds
- ½ 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
- ½ 1/2 tsp black peppercorns
- ½ 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- ½ tsp red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp ground Bengali panch phoron (or 1 tsp each of fenugreek, nigella, fennel, cumin, black mustard - use 2 tsp total if not available)
- ½ bay leaf
- ½ cup crushed tomatoes
- ½ 1/2 cup water
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ Fresh coriander leaves, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat oil in a heavy-bottom pan until shimmering; add cumin, coriander, fennel, peppercorns and bay leaf, toasting 20–30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add onions; cook on medium-high until deep golden brown, about 10–12 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Stir in garlic, ginger, green chilies, turmeric, red chili powder and panch phoron; cook 2 minutes until aromatics bloom.
- Add beef cubes; sear until well browned on all sides, about 6–8 minutes.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes and water; bring to a vigorous simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low.
- Simmer uncovered 25–30 minutes, or until beef is tender and sauce is thick and glossy; stir occasionally.
- Season with salt, adjust heat if desired, and garnish with fresh coriander before serving.
Chef’s Pro Tips
- Use mustard oil for authentic Bengali aroma.
- Let the curry rest 5–10 minutes after simmering for richer flavor.
- Adjust chilies to control heat without losing depth.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with steamed basmati rice or warm flatbreads to soak up the bhuna sauce.
Storage Instructions
Cool completely; refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove.
Nutritional Estimates
Per serving · 2 servings total
| calories | 410 |
|---|---|
| protein | 29 g |
| carbohydrates | 9 g |
| fat | 28 g |
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