Shatkora Beef Curry (Sylheti Beef with Citrus)
A Sylheti curry where tender beef gets a sharp, fragrant lift from shatkora, the bitter citrus of north east Bangladesh.
- Time2 hr 15
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £2.63 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a large heavy pan over a medium heat. Add the cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and bay leaves and let them sizzle for 30 seconds.
- 2
Add the onions and cook for 15 minutes, stirring often, until deep golden brown.
15 min - 3
Stir in the ginger and garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add the turmeric, cumin, coriander, chilli powder and salt with a splash of water and cook for 2 minutes more.
2 min - 4
Add the beef and fry over a high heat for 10 minutes, turning, until it is browned and the oil starts to separate from the masala.
10 min - 5
Pour in the water, add the green chillies and bring to the boil. Cover and simmer on a low heat for 1 hour 30 minutes, until the beef is soft.
90 min - 6
Drain the shatkora, chop it small and stir it in with the garam masala. If you are using the grapefruit and lime zest, add it now with the juice of 1 lime. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes until the sauce is thick.
10 min - 7
Scatter over the coriander and serve with plain rice or flatbreads.
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.