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    Home / Dinner / Kerala Beef Fry

    Kerala Beef Fry

    Crisp-edged, slow-cooked beef tossed with coconut, curry leaves, and warm spices — the legendary Kerala beef fry (beef ularthiyathu).

    ⏱ 20 minPrep time
    🔥 45 minCook time
    🍽 4Servings
    🏷 DinnerCategory
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    Kerala Beef Fry - crisp-edged beef with coconut and curry leaves

    Kerala beef fry, or beef ularthiyathu, is a fiercely loved dish from the state’s Christian communities, where beef is simmered until tender and then fried until the edges turn dark and crisp. It is a staple of weekend lunches and a point of pride on the Kerala table. The long cooking is worth every minute, and the aroma of coconut and curry leaves is unmistakable.

    Dark, crisp edges and coconut in every bite

    The beef is deeply savory, coated in a spice mix of black pepper, fennel, and red chilies, with curls of fried coconut and curry leaves adding crunch and fragrance. It is dry, intense, and made to be eaten with flaky parotta or appam, which are perfect for scooping up every crisp edge. Every bite is a little crispy, a little chewy, and completely irresistible. The dry, intense finish means it keeps well in the fridge for a day or two, if there is any left to save.

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    Step by stepInstructions

    1. 1. Combine the beef, half the onions, ginger-garlic paste, chili powder, turmeric, half the pepper, and salt in a pot with 1 cup water. Cover and simmer until tender, 30 to 40 minutes.
    2. 2. Uncover and cook off most of the liquid, leaving the beef in a little thick gravy.
    3. 3. Heat the coconut oil in a wide pan and cook the remaining onions until golden, about 7 minutes.
    4. 4. Add the coconut and fry until lightly browned, about 3 minutes.
    5. 5. Add the beef, remaining pepper, fennel, curry leaves, and green chilies. Fry over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the edges darken and crisp, 8 to 10 minutes.
    6. 6. Serve hot with parotta, appam, or rice.

    💡 Chef tips & storage

    Simmer the beef until truly tender before frying — this is what makes the final dish melt in your mouth. Fry over medium-high heat at the end and do not stir too often, so the edges crisp up.

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    Recipe details

    Prep20 min
    Cook45 min
    Servings4
    CategoryDinner
    PublishedAugust 17, 2026
    Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

    Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

    Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

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