Japanese Beef Curry is all about comfort and warmth in one bowl. My mom, although Palestinian, has been making this hearty meal for a long time, and it is now our favorite curry dish to warm up in cold weather.
Made with beef, potatoes, carrots, celery, and curry mix, this savory Japanese Beef Curry will be an amazing dinner for curry lovers. It is not only easy to make, but the delicious taste will simply steal your heart away.
Aromatic Beef Curry Dish
What is Japanese Curry?
Japanese curry, or Kare raisu as it is known in Japan, was introduced by the British Royal Navy 150 years ago.
In the early twentieth century, curry became a mainstream staple in almost all Japanese households, school cafeterias, train stations, as well as fancy restaurants.
A classic Japanese curry usually contains tender morsels of meat, potatoes, bites of onions and carrots, and a thick brown sauce that has a gentle balance of sweetness and sourness.
It is believed that the average person in Japan eats curry dishes more frequently than tempura or sushi, many as often as once a week.
Over the years, the curry spice was adapted to Japanese taste. It is mild, less spiced, less sour, and a bit on the sweeter side with distinct hints of curry.
Such a Delicious Meal for Curry Lovers
Hearty Meal that You Will Love
Japanese beef curry is one of the most delicious and aromatic recipes out there! The sauce is incredibly sweet and savory, has a perfect consistency, and tastes amazingly good.
It is good to note that the ingredients are simple and should be available at your local grocery store.
It is a one-pot recipe with minimal cleaning afterward. Although the cooking time is a bit long, the taste is totally worth the effort.
You can even cook it ahead of time and then simply reheat it.
Top Tips
The smaller the beef chunks are, the quicker they cook.
Do not cook the beef chunks through; instead, sear the beef to brown it.
Make sure to check if the beef is fork-tender before adding chopped vegetables.
Start with 5 cups of water and then adjust as needed. You might prefer your curry thicker or thinner, so add more water as you go.
Serve Japanese beef curry with boiled rice. You can also add Chicken Katsu (Japanese fried chicken cutlet) on top for a nice finish.
Flavorful Dish of Beef and Veggies
Frequently Asked Questions
You can store leftovers in your refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 or 4 days.
Yes, you can freeze the curry for up to 3 months. If it is too thick after reheating, add some water to make it thinner.
You can omit the beef and use tofu instead. Using only vegetables works too.
It can be, just make sure to use moderate amounts of black pepper and curry spice if your children are still young.
A Perfect Meal for Cold Weather
Ingredients
Beef stew meat or meat chunks: you can use either of them according to your preference.
Yellow onion: you may substitute it with red onion.
Garlic powder: use fresh garlic in case it is not available.
Onion powder: it will add a flavorful aroma to your meat curry dish.
Black pepper: add more or less of it according to your preference for hot spicy food.
Salt: add it to taste.
Paprika: use regular paprika or smoked paprika.
Oil: you can use avocado oil, canola oil, or any other oil you have.
Hot water: adding hot water will save you time as it makes the boiling process faster.
Golden curry packet: this is a ready curry mix that comes in easily-dissolvable cubes.
Carrots: they are bright, healthy, and the perfect addition to your curry dish.
Celery stalks: they are used for a special taste and as a greenery addition too.
Yellow potatoes: they give creaminess and a sense of fullness.
Healthy Beef Curry
Steps to Prep
To start up, heat up the oil on medium-high heat and then sauté the chopped onion cubes until they are translucent.
Once cooked, add the cubed beef and let it cook in the oil until browned, then add the spices and hot water.
Mix and cook until meat chunks are tender (mine took about 30-40 minutes because of their size). The smaller the chunks, the quicker they cook.
Once cooked, add your chopped vegetables and peeled potatoes.
Cut up the curry cube into small pieces so it can dissolve faster.
Add them to the pot and continue mixing until the curry cubes are all dissolved and the vegetables are fork-tender, about 20 minutes.
Serve with rice and enjoy.
Must-Try Recipes:
Mulukhiyah Stew (Jute Mallow Stew)
Sheikh Makhshi (Kusa Bi Laban)
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Japanese Beef Curry
Ingredients
- 1 pound beef stew meat/ meat chunks
- 1 small yellow onion finely diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 3 tablespoons oil
- 5 cups hot water
- ½ golden curry packet 4 cubes
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 2 celery stalks ends removed, chopped
- 2 medium yellow potatoes peeled and cubed
Instructions
- To start up, heat up the oil on medium high heat and then sauté the chopped onion cubes until they are translucent.
- Once cooked, add the cubed beef and let it cook in the oil until browned, then add the spices and hot water.
- Mix and cook until meat chunks are tender (mine took about 30-40 minutes because of their size). The smaller the chunks, the quicker they cook.
- Once cooked, add your chopped vegetables and peeled potato.
- Cut up the curry cube small so it can dissolve faster.
- Add it to the pot and continue mixing until the curry cubes are all dissolved and until the vegetables are fork tender, about 20 minutes.
- Serve with rice and enjoy.
Notes
- The smaller the beef chunks are, the quicker they cook.
- Do not cook the beef chunks through; instead, sear the beef to brown it.
- Make sure to check if the beef is fork-tender before adding chopped vegetables.
- Start with 5 cups of water and then adjust as needed. You might prefer your curry thicker or thinner, so add more water as you go.
Yummy!!!
I made this using the instant pot! The meat came out so tender. Love this recipe