Savory Beef Doenjang Stew
How to Make Delicious Beef Doenjang Stew (Inspired by Lee Chan Won’s Squid Doenjang Sauce)
Packed with beef and plenty of vegetables, this Doenjang stew is not too salty and has a wonderfully mild flavor that children absolutely love. It’s perfect as a side dish for rice.
Main Ingredients- Beef (ground or thinly sliced bulgogi cut) 300g
- Anchovy-Kelp Broth 1 cup (200ml)
- Potato (medium) 1 (approx. 220g)
- Onion (medium) 1/2 (approx. 120g)
- Red chili pepper 1 (approx. 30g)
- Green chili pepper 1 (approx. 20g)
- Scallion 1/2 stalk (approx. 50g)
Seasoning Sauce- Doenjang (Korean soybean paste) 4 Tbsp
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 2 Tbsp
- Cooking wine (Mirin) 2 Tbsp
- Sugar 2 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 2 Tbsp (Note: 4 Tbsp might be too much, adjust to taste)
- Sesame oil 2 Tbsp
- Toasted sesame seeds 1 Tbsp
Broth Ingredients- Dried anchovies (for broth) 20g (about 10 fish)
- Dried shiitake mushroom 8g
- Kelp 8g (a 5x5cm piece)
Beef Marinade- Soju or cooking wine 3 Tbsp
- Black pepper 1/2 tsp
- Garlic powder 1/2 tsp
- Doenjang (Korean soybean paste) 4 Tbsp
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 2 Tbsp
- Cooking wine (Mirin) 2 Tbsp
- Sugar 2 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 2 Tbsp (Note: 4 Tbsp might be too much, adjust to taste)
- Sesame oil 2 Tbsp
- Toasted sesame seeds 1 Tbsp
Broth Ingredients- Dried anchovies (for broth) 20g (about 10 fish)
- Dried shiitake mushroom 8g
- Kelp 8g (a 5x5cm piece)
Beef Marinade- Soju or cooking wine 3 Tbsp
- Black pepper 1/2 tsp
- Garlic powder 1/2 tsp
- Soju or cooking wine 3 Tbsp
- Black pepper 1/2 tsp
- Garlic powder 1/2 tsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s marinate the beef. Lightly pat the beef dry with paper towels. Place it in a bowl, add 3 Tbsp of soju, and gently mix. Let it marinate for about 30 minutes to remove any gamey odors. After 30 minutes, drain any excess liquid, finely chop or mince the beef. Season with a pinch of black pepper and 1/2 tsp of garlic powder, then let it marinate for another 5 minutes. (If using thinly sliced bulgogi, you can use it as is.)
Step 2
Let’s make a delicious broth! In a pot or bowl, combine the anchovies, dried shiitake mushroom, and kelp. Pour in 2 cups (400ml) of cold water and let it steep in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can bring it to a boil immediately. (If boiling immediately, remove the kelp once it starts boiling and continue to simmer for about 10 minutes. Then, strain the liquid, reserving about 1 cup of broth.)
Step 3
Prepare the vegetables. Peel and dice the potato and onion into small cubes, about 0.5cm in size. Remove the seeds from the red and green chili peppers and finely mince them. If you like it spicy, you can increase the amount of green chili peppers, or omit them if serving to children. Finely slice the scallion.
Step 4
Now, let’s get started on cooking the Doenjang stew. Pour 1 cup (200ml) of the prepared anchovy-kelp broth into a pot. Add 4 Tbsp of doenjang and 2 Tbsp of gochujang, stirring well to dissolve any clumps. Make sure to mix thoroughly from the beginning for a smooth stew.
Step 5
Add 2 Tbsp of cooking wine, 2 Tbsp of minced garlic (adjust to your preference), and 2 Tbsp of sugar. Stir everything together until well combined. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning; add more doenjang if it’s too bland, or a little more broth if it’s too salty.
Step 6
Once the sauce starts to simmer, add the marinated beef and diced potatoes. Cook over medium-low heat for about 5-7 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Stir the beef to prevent it from clumping as it cooks.
Step 7
When the potatoes are almost cooked, add the minced onion, green chili peppers, and red chili peppers. Continue to simmer for another 3-5 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become mushy. You can also add the sliced scallions at this stage for extra fragrance.
Step 8
Finally, stir in 2 Tbsp of sesame oil and 1 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds to finish the delicious Beef Doenjang stew! Taste one last time before turning off the heat and make any final seasoning adjustments.
Step 9
Transfer the finished Beef Doenjang stew to a serving bowl. Enjoy it spooned over warm rice or served with fresh leafy greens as a flavorful dipping sauce.
