Daging Bali (Balinese Beef Stew)

A true Indonesian classic

Our Indonesian family recipes have become real favorites!

After the popular Daging Smoor and the flavorful Daging Roedjak, Daging Bali simply had to be next. This traditional dish is a true classic in Indonesian cuisine and showcases the authentic flavors of Indonesia.

Flavorful spiced, mildly spicy, and irresistible

Daging Bali is made with tender beef that is slowly simmered in a rich, flavorful sauce. The combination of sweet and savory flavors, with just a gentle kick of heat, makes this dish one that almost everyone will enjoy.

We make the spice paste by blending fresh ingredients such as red chili peppers, ginger, and galangal in a food processor. The spice paste is then added to the pot, where it slowly infuses the beef with its rich flavor. Like any good stew, Daging Bali needs time for all the flavors to come together, but the result is incredibly tender beef that practically melts in your mouth.

Kecap manis

An important ingredient in Daging Bali is kecap manis. This is a thick, sweet Indonesian soy sauce with a distinctive flavor that’s widely used in Indonesian cooking. Its syrupy texture and rich flavor come from palm sugar and spices like star anise and cloves. It adds sweetness, depth, and a touch of warmth to this dish. If you can’t find kecap manis, you can use a sweet soy sauce instead. Just make sure to choose a thick, syrupy variety, as thinner versions won’t provide the same flavor and texture.

If you don’t have either on hand, you can easily make a substitute at home. In this recipe, we use 5 tablespoons kecap manis. You can replace it with a mix of 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons molasses, and 2 tablespoons brown sugar. You can make this ahead of time if you want the sauce to thicken slightly, but that’s not required.

The perfect side dishes

This tender beef is delicious served with steamed white rice, which soaks up every bit of the flavorful sauce. For a fresh contrast, serve it with Acar Ketimun (Indonesian cucumber pickles) or simply sliced cucumber. Indonesian green beans, or another Indonesian vegetable side dish, are also a perfect match.

A dish with tradition

Daging Bali is more than just a beef stew. It is a recipe with a long tradition. In many Indonesian families, it has been passed down from generation to generation, with every family adding its own unique touch.

The smell of beef slowly simmering on the stove often brings back memories of family meals and special occasions. Whether you already love Indonesian food or are discovering it for the first time, Daging Bali is a dish you should definitely try.

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