Savory & Sweet Japanese Braised Potatoes: Nikujaga (Home-Style Recipe Without Tsuyu!)
The Essence of Home Cooking! Easy Nikujaga (Japanese Beef and Potato Stew) Recipe Made Without Tsuyu
Learn how to easily and deliciously make Nikujaga, a representative Japanese home-style dish, right at home without using tsuyu (Japanese soup base). The tender potatoes and sweet-savory braised pork are perfect with a bowl of rice! The video starts at 03:03, so please refer to it.
Main Ingredients
- Pork (ground or thinly sliced) 70g
- Potato 1 (medium size)
- Green onion 1 stalk
- Onion 1/2
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, finely chop the pork into bite-sized pieces. Cutting them not too large will help the seasoning penetrate better.
Step 2
Season the chopped pork with a pinch of salt and a pinch of black pepper. This helps remove any gamey odor and enhances the savory flavor.
Step 3
Now, let’s prepare the vegetables. Slice the green onion diagonally into large pieces, and thinly slice the onion. Peel the potatoes and cut them into bite-sized cubes. Be careful not to cut the potato pieces too small, as they might break apart while cooking.
Step 4
Now for the sautéing step. Lightly grease a frying pan with cooking oil and add the cubed potatoes. Sauté over medium-low heat. Sautéing until the potato surfaces become slightly translucent will help them absorb the sauce better.
Step 5
Once the potatoes are somewhat cooked and turning translucent, add the seasoned pork and stir-fry them together. Break up the pork as you stir-fry to prevent it from clumping. Cook until the pork is no longer pink.
Step 6
Once the pork is fully cooked, pour in 300ml of water and bring it to a boil. Once the water boils, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer and reduce.
Step 7
When the liquid has reduced by about half, add the sliced onions and continue to simmer. The onions will add sweetness and deepen the flavor of the sauce. Simmer for about 5 more minutes, or until the onions become translucent and tender.
Step 8
Finally, add the diagonally sliced green onions and simmer briefly to finish. The fresh aroma of the green onions will further enhance the dish’s flavor. Turn off the heat, plate it beautifully, and enjoy with a warm bowl of rice!
