There’s something comforting about a beef curry bubbling away while you go about your day. It’s like having a tiny personal chef who never complains, never judges your Netflix choices, and doesn’t ask for a salary. This version is tailored for us solo cooks: hearty, healthy, and portioned just right so you won’t be eating beef curry for the next seven days straight.
The beauty here is balance — tender beef simmered gently with sweet potato, tomatoes, and curry spices. It’s filling without being heavy, and it sneaks in fibre and vitamins while still feeling like a proper “treat-yourself” dinner.
Ingredients (1 serve)
- 120g beef chuck or blade steak, trimmed and diced
- ½ small sweet potato, peeled and chopped (about 150g)
- ½ small brown onion, finely diced
- 1 small tomato, chopped (or ½ cup canned tomatoes)
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- ½ tsp fresh ginger, grated (or a pinch of ground ginger)
- ½ tsp curry powder (mild or medium, depending on your mood)
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ cup low-sodium beef stock
- 1 tsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh coriander (optional, for garnish)
- ¼ cup Greek yoghurt (to serve — balances the spices nicely)
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a small frypan and brown the beef on all sides. (This step is optional, but it adds a lovely depth of flavour. Plus, it makes you feel like a real chef.)
- Transfer the beef to your slow cooker. Add onion, garlic, ginger, sweet potato, tomato, spices, and stock. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook:
- Low: 6–7 hours
- High: 3–4 hours
(You want the beef to be fork-tender and the sweet potato to melt slightly into the sauce.)
- Taste, season with salt and pepper, then ladle into a bowl.
- Serve with a dollop of yoghurt and a sprinkle of coriander if you’re feeling fancy.
Nutrition Notes
- Protein: Beef brings muscle-repairing protein to the party.
- Fibre + Vitamins: Sweet potato adds vitamin A and fibre, keeping you full and your skin glowing.
- Spices: Curry powder and cumin provide anti-inflammatory perks while making your kitchen smell amazing.
This one’s a balanced bowl — hearty without the carb overload, and packed with micronutrients.
Shopping & Storage Tips
- Shopping smart: Instead of buying a kilo of beef cubes from the supermarket and wondering how you’ll use them before they expire, head to your local butcher. Ask for a single small steak (chuck or blade) around 120g — they’re usually happy to cut to size. For veg, grab just one sweet potato from the market (they’ll often have smaller, solo-friendly ones).
- Storage magic: This curry reheats beautifully. Double or triple the recipe if you’ve got the space in your freezer — portion it into single-serve containers for instant “takeaway at home.” If you keep it in the fridge, eat within 2 days.
Expanding for 2–3 Serves
Cooking for a mate (or planning ahead)? Just scale up the ingredients proportionally — no maths degree required. Cooking time in the slow cooker stays the same, but you might want to add an extra splash of stock to keep it saucy.
Final Thoughts
Slow cooker beef curry for one is proof that solo meals can be hearty, healthy, and actually fun. You’re not compromising — you’re eating exactly what you want, portioned perfectly for you. No waste, no stress, no reheating the same thing four nights in a row.
If this recipe made you hungry (and hopefully a little smug about your cooking skills), make sure to subscribe to Plan4One.com for more solo-friendly slow cooker gems. While you’re here, wander through the rest of the recipe collection — your slow cooker might just become your favourite kitchen buddy.
