Katsudon: Tender and Juicy Pork Cutlet Bowl
A Satisfying Meal: Delicious Katsudon Made Easy!
Homemade or store-bought pork cutlets are incredibly useful when made in larger batches and frozen! Today, we’ll use those frozen cutlets to whip up a delicious Katsudon. This recipe offers a tender and moist pork cutlet served over rice with a savory-sweet sauce, making it a perfect, hearty meal.
Main Ingredients- Pork cutlets (tonkatsu), 2 pieces (homemade or store-bought)
- Warm cooked rice, 2/3 bowl per serving (total 2 bowls)
- Onion, 1/3 medium (thinly sliced)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the pork cutlets. Heat a generous amount of oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Cook the pork cutlets until golden brown and crispy on both sides. If the cutlets are thick, adding about 1 tablespoon of water and covering the pan with a lid will help them cook through evenly and stay moist.
Step 2
Even without deep-frying, pan-frying results in a beautifully golden and delicious cutlet. Aim for a crispy exterior and a tender, juicy interior.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the sauce that defines the Katsudon! In a saucepan, combine the dashi stock (or water) and the thinly sliced onion. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and cook until the onions are tender and translucent.
Step 4
Once the sauce is simmering, add the cut pork cutlets and cook for about 1-2 minutes to allow them to absorb the sauce flavors. (Optional: You can prepare the sauce first without the cutlets and add them later.) Season the sauce with tsuyu for a balanced savory and slightly sweet flavor. If tsuyu is unavailable, a mixture of soy sauce and sugar can be used as a substitute.
Step 5
Finally, reduce the heat to very low or turn it off completely. Gently pour the lightly beaten egg over the sauce, allowing it to spread. The key to a moist and tender Katsudon is to cook the egg until it’s just set, still slightly runny – avoid overcooking! To serve, place the warm rice in a bowl, arrange the cooked pork cutlets on top, and then carefully spoon the delicious savory-sweet sauce over everything. Enjoy your homemade Katsudon!
