Beef Rendang (The BEST Recipe!) - Rasa Malaysia (2024)

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Beef Rendang - the best and most authentic beef rendang recipe you will find online! Spicy, rich and creamy Malaysian/Indonesian beef stew made with beef, spices and coconut milk.

Beef Rendang (The BEST Recipe!) - Rasa Malaysia (1)

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Table of Contents

What Is Rendang?

Rendang is a rich and tender coconut beef stew which is explosively flavorful and beef rendang is the most popular rendang.

Called “rendang daging” in local language, it’s arguably the most famous beef recipe in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore.

Origins of Rendang

Beef rendang is of Indonesian origin, a delicious concoction from the Minangkabau ethnic group of Indonesia.

It’s often served at ceremonial occasions and to honor guests.

I believe the dish came to Malaysia when the Minangkabau settlers from Sumatra migrated to the southern part of the Malay peninsula during the era of the Melaka Sultanate.

This dish is well loved by many Malaysians, especially the Malay community.

Beef Rendang (The BEST Recipe!) - Rasa Malaysia (3)

While beef rendang is the poster child, there are variations such as chicken rendang and lamb rendang.

They are all absolutely delicious and best with rice, or Malaysian coconut milk rice (nasi lemak).

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Other Recipes You Might Like

  • Chicken Rendang
  • Lamb Rendang
  • Panang Curry

What Kind of Beef for Rendang?

I used boneless beef short ribs or stew beef. The cut of beef will ensure that you have soft and tender beef once it’s cooked.

You have to cut the beef into small pieces to ensure that after the slow cooking, each chunk of beef is tender with the aromatic rendang curry paste.

Secret Ingredient of Rendang Sauce

To make the best rendang, you need to have the secret ingredient which is kerisik or toasted coconut.

You also need to cook on low heat to slowly stew and simmer the meat and reduce the rendang sauce.

I read that the Minangkabaus save the dish for months as the complex taste and flavor develop over time.

The Best and Most Authentic Rendang

I suggest that you make a big portion so you have some leftover. The flavors and aroma become more intense the next day.

Do try my recipe because it’s the most delicious and best beef rendang recipe you will find online!

Beef Rendang (The BEST Recipe!) - Rasa Malaysia (5)

How Many Calories per Serving?

This recipe is only 416 calories per serving.

What to Serve with This Recipe?

Serve this dish with rice, noodles or bread. For a traditional Malaysian meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.

Roti Jala

Chicken Satay

Nasi Lemak

Veggie Mee Goreng (Fried Noodles)

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Beef Rendang (The Best!)

Beef Rendang - the best and most authentic beef rendang recipe you will find online! Spicy, rich and creamy Malaysian/Indonesian beef stew made with beef, spices and coconut milk.

4.55 from 725 votes

Print

By Bee Yinn Low

Yield 4 People

Prep 15 minutes mins

Cook 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Total 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lbs. boneless beef short ribs, cut into cubes
  • 5 tablespoons cooking oil
  • 1 stick cinnamon (about 2-inch length)
  • 3 cloves
  • 3 star anise
  • 3 cardamom pods
  • 1 lemongrass (cut into 4-inch length and pounded)
  • 1 cup thick coconut milk (coconut cream)
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 teaspoons tamarind pulp (soaked in some warm water for the juice and discard the seeds)
  • 6 kaffir lime leaves (very finely sliced)
  • 6 tablespoons kerisik (toasted coconut)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar or palm sugar to taste
  • salt to taste

Spice Paste:

  • 5 shallots
  • 1 inch galangal
  • 3 lemongrass (white part only)
  • 5 cloves garlic
  • 1 inch ginger
  • 10-12 dried chilies (soaked in warm water and seeded)

Instructions

  • Chop the spice paste ingredients and then blend it in a food processor until fine.

  • Heat the oil in a stew pot, add the spice paste, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and cardamom and stir-fry until aromatic. Add the beef and the pounded lemongrass and stir for 1 minute. Add the coconut milk, tamarind juice, water, and simmer on medium heat, stirring frequently until the meat is almost cooked.

  • Add the kaffir lime leaves, kerisik (toasted coconut), sugar or palm sugar, stirring to blend well with the meat.

  • Lower the heat to low, cover the lid, and simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until the meat is really tender and the gravy has dried up. Add more salt and sugar to taste. Serve immediately with steamed rice and save some for overnight.

Notes

To prepare thekerisikor toasted coconut, just add the grated coconut to a dry wok and stir continuously until they turn golden brown.

Course: Malaysian Recipes

Cuisine: Malaysian

Keywords: Beef Rendang

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Beef Rendang (The Best!)

Amount Per Serving (4 People)

Calories 416Calories from Fat 468

% Daily Value*

Fat 52g80%

Saturated Fat 24g150%

Cholesterol 100mg33%

Sodium 132mg6%

Carbohydrates 20g7%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 9g10%

Protein 36g72%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

Beef Rendang (The BEST Recipe!) - Rasa Malaysia (2024)

FAQs

What is rasa rendang? ›

Indomie Fried Rendang Noodles (Mi Goreng Rasa Rendang) is a delicious noodle dish that combines the flavors of tender with a rich and savory rendang sauce. The noodles are stir-fried with a blend of aromatic spices, creating a mouth-watering flavor that is sure to satisfy.

What is the difference between Indonesian and Malaysian rendang? ›

So, the conclusion is that the difference between Indonesian and Malaysian Rendang lies in the way it is cooked and the addition of kerisik. So it can be said that Minangkabau rendang and Malaysian rendang are two different foods, even though they have roots from the same culinary tradition.

What is the best meat for beef rendang? ›

Beef - You can use any slow cooking cut of beef for this recipe but chuck is best. As with all slow cooked beef recipes, the fattier beef, the juicier the meat will be when cooked. Gravy beef and beef cheeks are also good. Brisket will work but has less fat throughout so not as juicy.

What does Malaysian rendang taste like? ›

Hours of bubbling turns the protein soft and spoon-tender, taking on all the intense tropical aromatics of the coconut, chiles, and spice. And along the way, the coconut milk deepens into a nutty, buttery sweetness. Rendang slows the world down.

What is the main ingredient of rendang? ›

Rendang is a traditional food originating from West Sumatra and prepared by Minangkabau people. Rendang is commonly made with beef (especially tenderloin) with special sauce containing a high amount of coconut milk.

What is rasa in Indian food? ›

Cooking and Meal Ingredients

Rasa, the Sanskrit word for taste, has a number of potent meanings, among them: experience, enthusiasm, juice, plasma (as in rasa dhatu), and essence. These diverse meanings only hint at the significance of taste within the Ayurvedic tradition.

What is the national dish of Malaysia? ›

Nasi lemak is a dish originating in Malay cuisine that consists of fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf. It is commonly found in Malaysia, where it is considered as the national dish.

What is rendang called in English? ›

The word Rendang generally means to stew a dish of meat infused with aromatic spices and coconut milk for hours. It stems from the verb merendang which refers to a process of slow cooking while constantly mixing the ingredients in a pot until the liquid evaporates and the meat is well done.

Is beef rendang from Malaysia or Indonesia? ›

Rendang is a popular dish made with meat stewed in coconut milk and spices. Believed to originate in West Sumatra, Indonesia, by the Minangkabau people, the dish is commonly found in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

Why is my beef rendang tough? ›

If rendang is chewy and tough, then you don't cook it properly (it's either due to not long enough cooking or not slicing the beef against the grain). What makes rendang special is the epic spice explosion that you can taste in a single bite of rendang meat.

Why is my rendang so watery? ›

(Option: Reducing the sauce) If the Rendang looks too watery, remove the meat/ protein with a slotted spoon and set aside. Then turn on to high heat and reduce the sauce for 10 - 15 mins. Reincorporate the meat. The rendang is best served with rice or any grain of your choice.

Why is beef rendang so good? ›

It's basically a philosophical term that refers to a special process, which makes beef tender, dry, and flavorful. The complex cooking process gives rendang a very unique and delicious taste. And that is why, on 14th April 2021, CNN highlighted Rendang as the 11th spot in their list of World's 50 Best Foods.

Why does my rendang taste bitter? ›

Rendang can take on a bitter taste if you burned the whole spices or the spice paste. Be sure to let it brown, but not burn to avoid a bitter taste.

What is rasa food? ›

RASA is a Sanskrit word that means “divine nectar.” It also means “the sap, the juice, the essence or vitality in a substance.” RASA FOODS: DELECTABLE SALUBRIOUS COOKERY takes pride in creating meals fortified with the nourishing essence and vitality of life.

What is rasa dish? ›

Rasa kayi is a traditional Indian mixed vegetable curry originating from South India, and it's especially popular in Karnataka. The dish is usually made with a combination of onions, hot peppers, carrots, potatoes, cauliflower, green beans, coconut milk, turmeric, coriander, chili powder, oil, and salt.

What is Rassa in food? ›

Pandhara in Marathi means yellow and Rassa means gravy which pretty much sums up what I am about to blog. Its a wonderful comfort food, made with coconut milk, chicken broth and a few fantastic roasted spices.

What does rendang taste like? ›

Rendang does not tastes like the red curries from Thailand or India. Instead, it is thick and has a texture almost like soft butter. The mixture of spices blend in harmoniously giving it a touch of heat that comes through subtly when eaten.

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