Ghanaian-Style Spiced Beef and Rice

Name: Ghanaian-Style Spiced Beef and Rice
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 150 min
Total time: 170 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 800 g stewing beef, cut into chunks; 400 g basmati rice; 2 onions, finely chopped; 1 piece thumb-sized piece of ginger peeled and chopped; 4 large garlic cloves roughly chopped; 500 ml beef stock made with 1 beef stock cube; 2 tbsp Vegetable oil; 25 g unsalted butter; 2 tbsp all-purpose seasoning; 1 tbsp ground allspice; 1 tsp ground cloves; 8 cardamom pods; 2 cinnamon sticks; 8 sprigs thyme sprigs; 2 tsp salt; 2 tsp black pepper

A fragrant and hearty one-pot meal featuring tender marinated beef and aromatic basmati rice. Infused with warm spices like allspice, cloves, and cinnamon, this dish delivers a deep, savory flavor profile that is perfect for family gatherings.

Servings6 Portions

Prep Time20 Mins

Cook Time150 Mins

Difficulty

Intermediate

Ingredients

stewing beef, cut into chunks
800 g
basmati rice
400 g
onions, finely chopped
2
thumb-sized piece of ginger peeled and chopped
1 piece
large garlic cloves roughly chopped
4
beef stock made with 1 beef stock cube
500 ml
Vegetable oil
2 tbsp
unsalted butter
25 g
all-purpose seasoning
2 tbsp
ground allspice
1 tbsp
ground cloves
1 tsp
cardamom pods
8
cinnamon sticks
2
thyme sprigs
8 sprigs
salt
2 tsp
black pepper
2 tsp

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the marinade by blitzing the ginger and garlic into a smooth paste using a small food processor. In a large bowl, combine the beef chunks with the ginger-garlic paste, ground allspice, ground cloves, salt, and black pepper. Toss well to ensure the beef is thoroughly coated. Cover and refrigerate to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours for a deeper flavor profile.

Heat the vegetable oil in a large, ovenproof pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté for about 8 minutes until they are soft and translucent. Add the marinated beef along with any leftover marinade into the pan. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef begins to brown and caramelize in places.

Stir in the cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, thyme sprigs, all-purpose seasoning, and beef stock. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover with a tight-fitting lid and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 1 hour, then remove the lid and continue cooking for another 30 minutes until the beef is tender but still holding together. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan/gas 4).

Add the basmati rice to the beef mixture and pour in just enough water to cover the rice by about 1cm. Stir gently, then dot the butter over the surface. Cover the pan and bake in the oven for 30 minutes. Once finished, fluff the rice with a fork and serve hot, ideally with a side of Ghanaian gravy.