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Malbi Sapi Palembang (Palembang Beef Stew)

written by Marvellina Published: November 25, 2024
1.6K
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Malbi Sapi Palembang (Palembang Beef Stew)

What is malbi sapi?

Malbi Sapi Palembang is a rich, sweet-savory Indonesian beef stew from South Sumatra. Infused with warm spices, kecap manis, and tamarind, it delivers a perfect balance of sweetness, tanginess, and umami. Traditionally served with fragrant nasi minyak and pineapple sambal, this dish is a comforting and flavorful highlight of Palembang cuisine.

Is malbi sapi similar to rendang sapi?

They may appear to look alike, dark in color and with thick gravy, but they have completely different taste profiles. Rendang sapi is savory and spicy, while malbi sapi is sweet and savory (almost similar taste profile to the Javanese semur dating.

Why malbi sapi stand out?

What sets Malbi Sapi apart from other Indonesian stews is its unique combination of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors, balanced by the richness of slow-cooked beef. The use of kecap manis and spices like nutmeg gives it a distinctly Palembang flavor profile that is comforting and complex.

Malbi Sapi Palembang (Palembang Beef Stew)
Malbi Sapi Palembang (Palembang Beef Stew)

Malbi Sapi Palembang (Palembang Beef Stew) – Pressure Cooker

Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 40 minutes mins
Total Time 50 minutes mins
Servings 6 servings
5 from 1 review
REVIEW & RATE PRINT

Ingredients

  • 1 kg beef see notes
  • 2 cups water use 4 cups if cooking on the stove

Aromatics to grind:

  • 10 shallots
  • 5 cloves garlic
  • 1 thumbsize ginger
  • 2 tsp coriander seeds
  • 4 Tbsp cooking oil

Spices and herbs:

  • 4 cloves
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground white pepper
  • 2 bay leaves

Seasoning:

  • 5 Tbsp kecap manis
  • 2 Tbsp gula Jawa or coconut sugar
  • 1 Tbsp kosher salt
  • 2 Tbsp tamarind juice

Garnish:

  • Crispy fried shallots / bawang goreng

Instructions
 

  • Place shallots, garlic, ginger, coriander seeds, and the oil in a food processor or blender and process into a paste consistency
    Real Deal Beef Rendang Padang (Rendang Sapi Padang)
  • Turn on the saute mode on Instant pot pressure cooker.
  • Scrape the spice paste out into the inner pot of Instant Pot pressure cooker. Use a heavy-bottom large pot if cooking on the stove
  • Stir fry until aromatics, about 3 minutes or so. Add the beef into the pot and continue to move things around so the beef pieces mixed with the spice paste
  • Add the seasoning and the rest of the spices. Add the water into the pot. It will sizzle. Use your spatula to scrape the bottom of the inner pot of Instant pot pressure cooker to make sure nothing catches at the bottom because it can trigger a "burn" alert
  • Close the lid and turn the pressure release valve to seal. Set the timer to 20 minutes and on high pressure. Then do natural release after that
  • If cooking on the stove, this may take about 1 to 1 1/2 hours over medium-low heat or until the beef is tender and the liquid has mostly evaporated

Reduce the liquid:

  • I have to move the malbi out from the pressure cooker and reduce the liquid on the stove because I need my pressure cooker for something else. Otherwise, you can reduce the liquid in Instant pot so you don't have to dirty another pot 🙂
  • Turn saute mode and let it comes to a boil again and let it simmer until most of the liquid has evaporated. This may take another 15-20 minutes. The longer you cook, the thicker the sauce. If you want it more "saucy" you can reduce the cooking time as long as the beef pieces is tender already. The color of the dish gets darker as it cools down

To serve:

  • Sprinkle some fried shallots on top of the malbi. Serve malbi with nasi minyak/nasi samin alongside with the pineapple sambal

RECOMMEDED TOOLS

Instant Pot

Marv’s Recipe Notes

You can use beef for stew, chuck, or brisket, as they are suitable for long cooking.

*Nutrition facts are just estimates and calculated using online tools*

Nutrition Facts
Malbi Sapi Palembang (Palembang Beef Stew) – Pressure Cooker
Serving Size
 
1 serving
Amount per Serving
Calories
623
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
43
g
66
%
Saturated Fat
 
14
g
88
%
Trans Fat
 
2
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
4
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
21
g
Cholesterol
 
118
mg
39
%
Sodium
 
1584
mg
69
%
Potassium
 
614
mg
18
%
Carbohydrates
 
27
g
9
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
18
g
20
%
Protein
 
30
g
60
%
Vitamin A
 
3
IU
0
%
Vitamin C
 
5
mg
6
%
Calcium
 
63
mg
6
%
Iron
 
4
mg
22
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Did you make this recipe?Let me know how you like this recipe and consider rating it! Tag me @whattocooktoday I’d love to see your photos/videos on Instagram
Malbi Sapi Palembang (Palembang Beef Stew)

Making Malbi Sapi with Ease: The Pressure Cooker Method

Traditionally, Malbi Sapi is slow-cooked to achieve its signature tenderness and depth of flavor. However, using a pressure cooker significantly shortens the cooking time without sacrificing taste. Here’s an overview of the process:
1. Cook in the Pressure Cooker: The spices are sautéed before adding the beef and water to create a thick sauce. The pressure cooker tenderizes the beef in a fraction of the time.
2. Reduce and Thicken: Once the beef is tender, the stew is simmered uncovered to thicken the sauce, resulting in a glossy, flavorful coating.

Serving Malbi Sapi

Malbi Sapi is traditionally paired with:
1. Nasi Minyak/Nasi Samin Palembang: Fragrant rice cooked with ghee, spices, and sometimes milk or coconut milk. This rice complements the richness of the stew.
2. Pineapple Sambal: A tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy condiment made with fresh pineapple, chilies, and lime juice. Its brightness cuts through the richness of the beef stew beautifully.

Malbi Sapi Palembang (Palembang Beef Stew)
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2 comments

yanti April 17, 2025 - 5:40 am

so easy and yummy!

Reply
Marvellina April 20, 2025 - 8:18 pm

Hi Yanti, I know right? it’s one of my favorites!

Reply
5 from 1 vote

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