Heart-Healthy Beef Rendang

Elevate your dinner table with this flavorful and guilt-free twist on a traditional Indonesian classic: Heart-Healthy Beef Rendang. This lighter rendition swaps in extra lean beef, reduced-fat coconut milk, and vibrant veggies like green beans and red bell peppers for a wholesome meal that's big on taste and kind to your heart. Infused with aromatic spices—like turmeric, coriander, and cinnamon—alongside fragrant lemongrass and lime leaves, this slow-cooked dish delivers melt-in-your-mouth beef wrapped in a rich, velvety sauce. Served over nutty brown rice and topped with fresh cilantro, it's a balanced, nutrient-packed recipe perfect for both meal preps and special occasions. Ready in just 20 minutes of prep time with bold flavors rewarding your patience, this Heart-Healthy Beef Rendang proves that indulgence can align with wellness goals. Perfect for those seeking healthy rendang recipes or low-fat beef dishes!

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:140 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams extra lean beef chuck, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 400 ml reduced-fat coconut milk
• 200 grams green beans, trimmed and halved
• 1 large red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1 stalk lemongrass stalk, trimmed and minced
• 2 medium red chilies, seeded and chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 leaves lime leaves
• 1 tablespoon palm sugar
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 handful fresh cilantro, for garnish
• 4 cups brown rice, cooked

Directions

Step 1

In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, and red chilies. Sauté for 5 minutes, until the mixture is fragrant and the onions are translucent.

Step 2

Add the cubes of beef to the pot and sear on all sides until just browned. This should take about 5-7 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the coriander, turmeric, cumin, black pepper, and cinnamon. Cook for another 2 minutes to release the spices' aroma.

Step 4

Pour in the reduced-fat coconut milk, and add the lime leaves, palm sugar, and soy sauce. Stir to combine all ingredients.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let the beef simmer gently for about 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened.

Step 6

Approximately 15 minutes before the beef is done, add the green beans and red bell peppers to the pot. Stir to combine and let them cook until the vegetables are tender yet still crisp.

Step 7

Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary by adding more soy sauce or a pinch of salt.

Step 8

Serve the beef rendang over a bed of cooked brown rice, garnished with fresh cilantro.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2375.5 grams (2375.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2416

Total Fat 72.80g	93%
Saturated Fat 35.00g	175%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.20g
Cholesterol 375mg	125%
Sodium 2948mg	128%
Total Carbohydrate 274.50g	100%
Dietary Fiber 31.90g	114%
Total Sugars 40.00g
Protein 167.90g	336%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 302mg	23%
Iron 33mg	181%
Potassium 4453mg	95%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 27.0%

Protein: 27.7%

Carbs: 45.3%