Nikujaga
Dinner decisions, handled: Nikujaga pairs thinly sliced beef with potatoes for a 45-minute Japanese dinner.
✓ USDA-verified nutrition data
415 calories
22g protein
43g carbs
14g fat
3g fiber
Ingredients
- 3/4 lb Thinly sliced beef
- 4 medium Potatoes
- 1 large Onion
- 2 Carrots
- 2 cups Dashi
- 1/3 cup Soy sauce
- 1/4 cup Mirin
- 2 tbsp Sugar
- 2 tbsp Sake
Steps
- Cut the potatoes into large chunks and bevel the edges with a knife — rounded edges hold together in the simmer instead of crumbling.
- Sear the beef quickly in a heavy pot until just browned, then add the onion and carrots and stir 3 minutes.
- Pour in the dashi, sake, sugar, soy, and mirin; the liquid should just cover the vegetables.
- Lay a drop lid or parchment circle directly on the surface — otoshibuta keeps everything submerged so it cooks evenly without stirring.
- Simmer 25 minutes until the potatoes are tender and the liquid has reduced to a savory glaze.
- Rest 10 minutes off the heat; nikujaga, like all nimono, tastes better once the flavors settle in.