Japanese Nikujaga (Meat and Potato Stew)

Name: Japanese Nikujaga (Meat and Potato Stew)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 500 g thinly sliced beef (e.g., sirloin or chuck); 600 g potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks; 200 g onion, sliced; 200 g carrots, peeled and cut into rounds; 100 g green beans, trimmed (optional); 400 ml dashi stock (or water + dashi powder); 4 tbsp soy sauce; 3 tbsp mirin; 2 tbsp sake (cooking sake); 1 tbsp sugar; 1 tbsp vegetable oil

Difficulty

easy

Time

55m

Price Category

average

Calories

Medium

Nikujaga is a classic Japanese one-pot dish featuring meat, potatoes, and vegetables simmered in a sweet and savory sauce. This hearty and flavorful meal is perfect for a cold day or whenever you crave something truly comforting. It's simple to prepare yet packed with deep, umami flavors that are sure to delight. Make it for your family and enjoy this wonderful staple of Japanese cuisine together!

Steps

Preparation

Cut the beef into bite-sized pieces. Peel and cut the potatoes into large chunks. Slice the onion and cut the carrots into rounds. If using green beans, trim their ends.

Sautéing and Browning

Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or wok over medium heat. Add the beef and brown it on all sides until lightly seared. Add the sliced onion, carrots, and potatoes, then sauté for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Seasoning and Simmering

Pour in the dashi stock, soy sauce, mirin, and sake. Add the sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the potatoes and carrots are tender. Stir gently occasionally to prevent the potatoes from breaking apart.

Finishing and Serving

If using green beans, add them during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Taste and adjust seasoning with more soy sauce or sugar if needed. Serve hot, either with rice or on its own.

	Per 100g	Per Serving 300g
Calories	180 kcal	540 kcal
Protein	12g	36g
Fat	8g	24g
Carbohydrate	15g	45g
Fiber	2g	6g
Sugar	4g	12g

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beef

stewed

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Japanese Nikujaga (Meat and Potato Stew)

Difficulty

Time

Price Category

Calories

ingredients

Steps

Preparation

Sautéing and Browning

Seasoning and Simmering

Finishing and Serving

Extra Tips

► Nikujaga tastes even better if prepared a day in advance, as the flavors have time to meld together.

► If you don't have dashi stock, you can use vegetable or chicken broth, but dashi provides the authentic Japanese flavor.

► Before serving, sprinkle with fresh chopped green onions or shichimi togarashi spice blend for extra flavor and color.

Nutrition