Easy Malaysian Beef Rendang recipe using Instant Pot
March 31, 2021
Authentic and delicious Beef Rendang recipe ever!

Most common meat used is beef.
Those beef pieces were slow cooked to fork tender, infused with the spices and herbs, that gives its rich and intense flavour.
Rendang is cooked until gravy thicken to almost dry.
Fresh turmeric and galangal that separates curries and rendang.

The most important thing to note is that choosing the correct type of beef cut is important in making a top notch, out of this world beef rendang!
1. Beef Cut
You must buy cheap beef cut.
Yes you hear me correctly, a cheap cut like gravy beef, beef cheek, casserole beef, beef fingers or beef cuts that require long simmering time.
My preferred cut is always gravy beef.

2. Blend and grind spices
Listed in the recipe card below

3. Prepare ahead
Fried shallots and pan roasted coconut paste.
4. Switch on Instant pot and select Saute mode.


5. Saute the spices and chillies mixture until oil splits




6. Add beef and other condiments
7. Start Instant pot.
8. Natural release
Once instant pot is done, let it rest (natural release) for 15 minutes
9. then add turmeric leaves, coconut paste (kerisik), sugar and salt

6. Transfer to wok to make the reduced and thicken gravy.

Why?
First, I am not able to control the heat from Instant pot when it is in its "saute" mode, hence the probability that I might end up with "Burnt" beef rendang is very high.
Secondly, my fork tender beef pieces will fall into shreds if I were to keep stirring in the Instant Pot.
Thirdly, wok has wider opening, therefore easier for evaporation process (a little bit science lesson!! :P )
Just follow the same steps as in the recipe card below and instead of using instant pot, just use normal pot.
Just so you know, your beef rendang will be fork tender in 2-3 hours.

Just keep in the fridge overnight and either microwave or re-cook beef rendang thoroughly in pan before consuming.


What is Rendang?
Rendang is a 'rich' in flavour meat dish, sometimes can be mistaken as curry.Most common meat used is beef.
Those beef pieces were slow cooked to fork tender, infused with the spices and herbs, that gives its rich and intense flavour.
Rendang is cooked until gravy thicken to almost dry.
What is the difference between beef curry and beef rendang?
1. Flavour
Unlike curry, rendang has more depth and intense in taste.2. Gravy
Rendang is drier than curry.3. Spices and Herbs
There are some common spices used in both, curry and rendang, like cumin, coriander, turmeric and chillies.Fresh turmeric and galangal that separates curries and rendang.

How to Cook Beef Rendang using Instant Pot?
Printable recipe is at the end of the post.The most important thing to note is that choosing the correct type of beef cut is important in making a top notch, out of this world beef rendang!
1. Beef Cut
You must buy cheap beef cut.
Yes you hear me correctly, a cheap cut like gravy beef, beef cheek, casserole beef, beef fingers or beef cuts that require long simmering time.
My preferred cut is always gravy beef.

2. Blend and grind spices
Listed in the recipe card below

3. Prepare ahead
Fried shallots and pan roasted coconut paste.
4. Switch on Instant pot and select Saute mode.


5. Saute the spices and chillies mixture until oil splits




6. Add beef and other condiments
7. Start Instant pot.
8. Natural release
Once instant pot is done, let it rest (natural release) for 15 minutes
9. then add turmeric leaves, coconut paste (kerisik), sugar and salt

6. Transfer to wok to make the reduced and thicken gravy.

Can I continue cooking my beef rendang in Instant Pot?
I highly recommend transferring your nearly done beef rendang to a wok preferably.Why?
First, I am not able to control the heat from Instant pot when it is in its "saute" mode, hence the probability that I might end up with "Burnt" beef rendang is very high.
Secondly, my fork tender beef pieces will fall into shreds if I were to keep stirring in the Instant Pot.
Thirdly, wok has wider opening, therefore easier for evaporation process (a little bit science lesson!! :P )
Can I cook my beef rendang on the stove?
Yes you can.Just follow the same steps as in the recipe card below and instead of using instant pot, just use normal pot.
Just so you know, your beef rendang will be fork tender in 2-3 hours.

Can beef rendang be frozen?
Definitely, beef rendang can be frozen in an air tight container for at least 3 months.Just keep in the fridge overnight and either microwave or re-cook beef rendang thoroughly in pan before consuming.
Video on 'How to Cook the Best Beef Rendang" using Instant Pot

Thank you for pointing out that rendang is NOT a beef curry!!!!! This is the only recipe I've seen that makes that distinction! I learned to make rendang while living in a small village in West Sumatra back in 1979 and have been making it ever since My Ibu never used pandan leaves but other than that your recipe is pretty accurate! And yes, the cheaper, fattier, and sinewy-ier the beef, the better!! I look forward to trying your version in my Instant Pot.
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