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Classic Flavorful Japanese Nikujaga (Beef & Potato Stew)

groups2 servingsspeedEasycountertopsPrep: 10 minsskilletCook: 25 minsscheduleTotal: 35 minsoutdoor_grillBraised
Allergens:warningSoywarningGluten

Allergen labels are AI-generated and may be incomplete or wrong. If you have a food allergy, always verify every ingredient yourself.

Recipe details are AI-generated from the video and may contain errors — for reference only.

skilletInstruction

9 Steps Total
01
Preparation
00:00:54

In a small bowl, combine 3 tbsp soy sauce, 3 tbsp sake, 1.5 tbsp sugar, and 1.5 tbsp mirin. Mix thoroughly until the sugar is completely dissolved.

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Watch out

Make sure to stir until the sugar is completely dissolved

otherwise, undissolved sugar will settle at the bottom and burn easily when heated

Ingredients:soy sauce (3 tbsp)Sake or Rice Wine (3 tbsp)sugar (1.5 tbsp)mirin (1.5 tbsp)
Tools:bowl
02
Active Cooking
00:01:28

Pour half of the mixed sauce (about 4.5 tbsp) and 100ml water (0.5 cup) into a skillet, and heat over medium flame until it reaches a gentle simmer with light bubbles.

local_fire_departmentmedium heat
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Watch out

Control the heat when adding water to prevent the sauce from evaporating completely.

Ingredients:water (100 ml)
Tools:skillet / pan
03
Preparation
00:01:58

Cut 1 onion in half. Thinly slice one half (to melt into the sauce later for sweetness), and cut the other half into thick wedges (to retain texture).

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Watch out

Keep your fingers curled inward like a claw while chopping onions to avoid cuts.

Ingredients:Onion (1 piece)
Tools:chef's knifecutting board
04
Active Cooking
00:02:40
warningStay safe

Use dedicated chopsticks or tongs when handling raw beef slices. Wash hands and tools immediately after contact with raw meat to prevent cross-contamination. Raw meat carries bacteria; do not use utensils that touched raw beef to serve cooked food.

Add the sliced onion to the simmering skillet, then spread 200g sliced beef over the onion and gently separate with chopsticks. Skim off any scum that rises to the top. Cover with a drop lid (drop-lid paper) and simmer over medium-low heat for 7 to 8 minutes until the beef is soft and translucent onions melt into the sauce.

local_fire_departmentmedium-low heat
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Watch out

Separate the beef slices quickly after putting them in, otherwise they will clump together and cook unevenly.

Ingredients:Sliced Beef (200 g)Onion
Tools:paper drop lidfine mesh skimmer
05
Preparation
00:04:00

While beef is simmering, prep vegetables: cut 0.5 carrot into thin angular roll-cut pieces; cut 2 peeled potatoes in half, then cut into long oblique wedges.

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Watch out

Cutting carrots and potatoes into thinner angular wedges reduces cooking time and allows flavors to penetrate better.

Ingredients:Carrot (0.5 piece)potato (2 piece)
Tools:chef's knife
06
Active Cooking
00:06:00

Remove the drop lid (the beef is tender and dark with sauce). Add the remaining 300ml water (1.5 cups) and the rest of the mixed sauce. Then add the thick onion wedges, carrots, and potatoes, pressing the vegetables gently down into the liquid with a spatula or spoon.

local_fire_departmentmedium heat
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Watch out

Make sure potatoes and carrots are submerged in the liquid so that they cook evenly.

Ingredients:water (300 ml)potatoCarrotOnion
Tools:spatula
07
Active Cooking
00:07:03

Place the paper drop lid back on, and once boiling, simmer over medium heat for about 10 minutes until a skewer or fork easily pierces through the center of the largest potato piece.

local_fire_departmentmedium heat
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Watch out

Keep heat at medium

if the heat is too high, the liquid will evaporate before potatoes become tender

Tools:paper drop lid
08
Active Cooking
00:07:28

Remove the paper drop lid and turn the heat to high. Boil down the sauce for about 2 to 3 minutes, gently shaking the pan occasionally, until the liquid reduces into a shiny, rich glaze coating all ingredients.

local_fire_departmenthigh heat
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Watch out

Gently shake the pan instead of stirring vigorously with a spatula to avoid breaking the cooked tender potatoes.

Tools:skillet / pan
09
Active Cooking
00:07:58

Transfer the glazed potatoes, carrots, onions, and beef into a deep serving bowl, piling them up nicely. Pour the remaining savory glaze from the pan over the top and serve hot.

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Watch out

The pan and gravy are extremely hot

handle with care when plating to prevent burns

Tools:serving dish

groceryAll Ingredients

Sliced Beef200 g
potato2 piece
Carrot0.5 piece
Onion1 piece
soy sauce3 tbsp
Sake or Rice Wine3 tbsp
sugar1.5 tbsp
mirin1.5 tbsp
water400 ml

blenderAll Tools Needed

bowlskillet / panchef's knifecutting boardpaper drop lidfine mesh skimmerspatulaserving dish