Hey foodies! Ever thought about time-traveling with your taste buds? Dive into this soul-warming Japanese beef curry, where tender beef meets a medley of veggies and has a secret ingredient you wouldn’t expect—yes, grated apple to sweeten the pot. Trust me, your dinner game’s about to level up! 🍛✨
My favorite dishes to make are the ones that are remotely “low and slow.” Of these, Japanese Beef Curry is possibly my most favorite. It is the most deceptively simple yet profoundly satisfying dish I know to command great respect from all who eat it.
The humble stew combines tender beef, aromatic onions, and sweet carrots. But it (somehow) manages to simmer in a rich curry sauce, of which I am quite proud.
And there are two reasons for which I need to give a shout-out to the sauce.
Japanese Beef Curry Recipe Ingredients
- Beef stew meat: Provides protein and rich umami flavor.
- Onion: Adds natural sweetness and depth to the curry.
- Carrots: Offer a slight sweetness and are high in fiber and vitamins.
- Potatoes: Thicken the curry while contributing carbohydrates.
- Apple: Grated for a hint of natural sweetness and tartness.
- Soy sauce: Enhances umami and adds salty depth.
- Worcestershire sauce: Brings tangy and savory complexity.
- Japanese curry roux: Core ingredient for creamy, flavorful sauce.
Japanese Beef Curry Recipe Ingredient Quantities
- 500g beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 3 cups water
- 1 apple, grated
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 100g Japanese curry roux (blocks)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooked rice, for serving
How to Make this Japanese Beef Curry Recipe
1. In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef stew meat and sear on all sides. Remove and set the meat aside.
2. In the identical saucepan, combine the diced onion and continue to sauté until the onion is tender and has taken on a slight caramelization.
3. Place the sliced carrots and potato chunks in the pot and stir for about 2 minutes.
4. Place the beef back in the pot and add 3 cups of water. Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and allow it to simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Add the grated apple, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Keep on a simmer until the beef and veggies are tender, around 15-20 more minutes.
6. Take Japanese curry roux blocks and break them into smaller pieces before adding to the pot. Stir well to ensure they fully dissolve and thicken the sauce.
7. Cook for an additional 10 minutes, stirring from time to time, until the curry has reached a thick consistency and all components are completely blended.
8. Adjust the taste and seasoning with salt and pepper as necessary.
9. Serve the curry made with Japanese beef hot, over rice that has been cooked.
10. Relish your appetizing supper!
Japanese Beef Curry Recipe Equipment Needed
1. Large pot
2. Stove or cooktop
3. Wooden spoon or spatula
4. Knife
5. Cutting board
6. Measuring spoons
7. Grater
8. Bowl or plate (to set aside the seared beef meat)
FAQ
- What cut of beef is best for Japanese Beef Curry?Use beef stew meat or any cut suitable for slow cooking, such as chuck or brisket. Ensure the meat is tender.
- Can I make Japanese Beef Curry without curry roux?To achieve an authentic flavor, Japanese curry roux is indispensable; however, if necessary, you can make homemade roux using flour, curry powder, and butter.
- What can I use instead of an apple if I’m allergic?The required sweetness can be added to the curry by using a pear or a bit of honey.
- Can I add other vegetables to the curry?Yes, feel free adding veggies like peas, mushrooms, or bell peppers for extra flavor and nutrition.
- How can I adjust the spiciness of the curry?Pick the degree of spiciness by selecting mild, medium, or hot curry roux. You can also add chili powder for additional heat.
- Is it possible to make this curry in a slow cooker?You can certainly brown the beef and onions first, and then add all ingredients to a slow cooker and set it to low for 6-8 hours.
- How long does leftover Japanese Beef Curry keep?Store any remaining food in an airtight container in the refrigerator for no more than 3 days; otherwise, freeze it in an airtight container for no more than 2 months.
Japanese Beef Curry Recipe Substitutions and Variations
Stew meat: Substitute with chicken thighs or firm tofu for a vegetarian option.
Cooking oil: Canola oil and sunflower oil may be used as substitutes.
Substituting for grated apple, you can use 1 tablespoon of honey or diced pear, which will provide different kinds of sweetness. Honey will impart a floral sweetness to your dish, while pear will give you something that is not traditional apple sweetness but is still sweet.
Soy sauce: For a gluten-free version, use tamari or coconut aminos.
Curry roux for Japanese curry: Make your own curry paste or garam masala and thicken it with cornstarch.
Pro Tips
1. Searing the Meat: Ensure that the beef stew meat is dry before searing. Pat it with paper towels. This will help create a good crust and improve the flavor of your stew.
2. Deglazing the Pot: After searing the beef, consider deglazing the pot with a small amount of water or broth before adding the onions. This will lift all the delicious browned bits from the bottom, which will enhance the flavor.
3. Roux Care: When adding the Japanese curry roux, make sure the mixture is gently simmering and not boiling. This will prevent the roux from clumping and help it dissolve smoothly.
4. Veggie Texture: If you prefer firmer vegetables, add the carrots and potatoes during the last 15-20 minutes of cooking rather than at the start, so they don’t become too soft.
5. Flavor Boost: For added depth of flavor, consider adding a small amount of garlic or ginger while sautéing the onions, or a splash of dashi stock if available.
Japanese Beef Curry Recipe
My favorite Japanese Beef Curry Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Large pot
2. Stove or cooktop
3. Wooden spoon or spatula
4. Knife
5. Cutting board
6. Measuring spoons
7. Grater
8. Bowl or plate (to set aside the seared beef meat)
Ingredients:
- 500g beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 3 cups water
- 1 apple, grated
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 100g Japanese curry roux (blocks)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooked rice, for serving
Instructions:
1. In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef stew meat and sear on all sides. Remove and set the meat aside.
2. In the identical saucepan, combine the diced onion and continue to sauté until the onion is tender and has taken on a slight caramelization.
3. Place the sliced carrots and potato chunks in the pot and stir for about 2 minutes.
4. Place the beef back in the pot and add 3 cups of water. Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and allow it to simmer for 20 minutes.
5. Add the grated apple, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Keep on a simmer until the beef and veggies are tender, around 15-20 more minutes.
6. Take Japanese curry roux blocks and break them into smaller pieces before adding to the pot. Stir well to ensure they fully dissolve and thicken the sauce.
7. Cook for an additional 10 minutes, stirring from time to time, until the curry has reached a thick consistency and all components are completely blended.
8. Adjust the taste and seasoning with salt and pepper as necessary.
9. Serve the curry made with Japanese beef hot, over rice that has been cooked.
10. Relish your appetizing supper!