Keto Massaman Curry
A rich, slow-simmered Thai massaman curry made keto with tender beef, creamy coconut, and roasted macadamias instead of potatoes. Each warmly spiced bowl lands at just 7.4g net carbs and comes together in about 55 minutes for a cozy, restaurant-worthy dinner.
Head of Nutrition · June 18, 2026

Nutrition per serving
Per serving · makes 4. Values are estimates; brands vary.
This keto take on Thai massaman curry trades starchy potatoes for buttery macadamia nuts, so you get all the warm, sweet-savory spice and silky coconut sauce without breaking your carb budget. Low and slow is the secret to melt-in-your-mouth beef.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb beef chuck, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 3 tbsp massaman curry paste (check for no added sugar)
- 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/2 cup raw macadamia nuts
- 1 small white onion, cut into wedges
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp tamarind paste (unsweetened)
- 1 tbsp powdered erythritol
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 whole cardamom pods
Instructions
- 1
Pat the beef cubes dry and season with salt. Heat the coconut oil in a heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and sear the beef in batches until well browned on all sides, about 6 minutes per batch. Remove and set aside.
- 2
Lower the heat to medium. Add the massaman curry paste and the thick cream from the top of the coconut milk can. Fry, stirring constantly, for 3 to 4 minutes until fragrant and the oil separates.
- 3
Return the beef to the pot. Add the remaining coconut milk, beef broth, fish sauce, tamarind paste, erythritol, cinnamon stick, and cardamom pods. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
- 4
Cover and simmer on low for 25 minutes, then add the onion wedges and macadamia nuts. Continue simmering uncovered for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the beef is fork-tender and the sauce has thickened.
- 5
Discard the cinnamon stick and cardamom pods. Taste and adjust with extra fish sauce or a pinch of erythritol to balance salty, sour, and sweet. Serve hot over cauliflower rice.
Tips & notes
- Cauliflower rice is the perfect low-carb base and is not included in the nutrition above. Add roughly 1g net carb per 1/2 cup serving if you plate it on top.
- Many store-bought massaman pastes contain added sugar or palm sugar. Read the label and choose one with no sweeteners, or make your own from chilies, lemongrass, galangal, and roasted spices.
- Stores well in the fridge for up to 4 days and freezes beautifully for 3 months. The flavor deepens overnight, making it an excellent meal-prep dinner.
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Frequently asked questions
- How many carbs are in keto massaman curry?
- This keto massaman curry has 7.4g net carbs per serving, along with 612 calories, 34g protein, and 48g fat. The recipe makes 4 servings. Swapping potatoes for macadamia nuts keeps the carbs low while preserving the classic creamy, nutty texture.
- What replaces the potatoes in keto massaman curry?
- Traditional massaman relies on potatoes, which are too starchy for keto. This version uses raw macadamia nuts for richness and bite, plus onion wedges for body. You can also add chunks of turnip or radish, which soften into a potato-like texture without the carb load.
- Can I make this curry with chicken instead of beef?
- Yes. Substitute 1.5 lb of boneless chicken thighs cut into chunks. Reduce the covered simmer time to about 15 minutes since chicken cooks faster than beef chuck. The net carbs stay the same, while calories drop slightly and protein stays around 32g per serving.



