Spicy Braised Beef: A Delicious Main Dish
Spicy Braised Beef: A Delicious Main Dish
Hearty and Spicy Braised Beef – A Main Course for Any Meal
Tender beef infused with a savory and spicy sauce that will have you devouring bowls of rice. This spicy braised beef is a perfect centerpiece for any special occasion!
Main Ingredients- 600g beef for braising (e.g., short ribs or stewing beef)
- 2 medium potatoes
- 1/2 medium onion
- 1/3 carrot
- 2 Korean green chilies (cheongyang peppers)
- 1 red chili pepper
- 1/2 stalk green onion
- 3 cups beef cooking liquid (or water)
Spicy & Sweet Marinade- 5 Tbsp grated pear (adds sweetness and tenderizes meat)
- 6 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes; adjust to your spice preference)
- 5 Tbsp grated onion (enhances sweetness)
- 10 Tbsp soy sauce
- 5 Tbsp cheongju (rice wine) or mirin (removes meat odor)
- 3 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 4 Tbsp corn syrup or rice syrup (for gloss and sweetness)
- Pinch of ginger powder (or 1/2 tsp grated ginger)
- 5 Tbsp grated pear (adds sweetness and tenderizes meat)
- 6 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes; adjust to your spice preference)
- 5 Tbsp grated onion (enhances sweetness)
- 10 Tbsp soy sauce
- 5 Tbsp cheongju (rice wine) or mirin (removes meat odor)
- 3 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 4 Tbsp corn syrup or rice syrup (for gloss and sweetness)
- Pinch of ginger powder (or 1/2 tsp grated ginger)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, soak the beef in cold water for at least 30 minutes to remove excess blood. Change the water 2-3 times during soaking to ensure thorough blood removal, which helps eliminate any gamey odors.
Step 2
In a bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients and mix well. Grating the pear and onion will help the marinade blend more smoothly.
Step 3
In a large pot, add plenty of water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the soaked beef and blanch for about 3 minutes. This step helps remove impurities from the meat for a cleaner final dish. Remove the blanched beef, rinse it briefly under cold water, drain, and discard the blanching water.
Step 4
Clean the pot and add fresh water. To further enhance the flavor and remove any remaining odor, add a stalk of green onion, whole garlic cloves (optional), ginger (optional), and whole peppercorns. (Use if you have them on hand.)
Step 5
Once the water comes back to a boil, add the blanched beef. Skim off any foam or scum that rises to the surface with a ladle to ensure a clear and delicious broth. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for about 30 minutes until the beef is tender.
Step 6
While the beef is simmering, prepare the vegetables for the stew. Cut the potatoes and carrots into large chunks, and slice the onion into similar sizes. Slice the Korean green chilies and red chili pepper diagonally.
Step 7
Remove the tenderized beef from the pot, cut it into bite-sized pieces (or leave them whole if preferred), and place it back into the pot. Add the pre-made marinade and mix thoroughly, gently tossing the beef to coat it evenly with the sauce.
Step 8
Arrange the prepared carrots, onions, and potatoes attractively over the marinated beef.
Step 9
Pour in 3 cups of the beef cooking liquid (or fresh water). The liquid should come up to about two-thirds of the way up the ingredients.
Step 10
Return the pot to the stove over high heat. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low. When the sauce begins to bubble vigorously, add the diagonally sliced Korean green chilies and red chili peppers, and continue to simmer and reduce the sauce.
Step 11
Simmer until the sauce has thickened to a rich, gravy-like consistency. If desired, you can remove the lid and spoon some of the sauce over the ingredients occasionally to help them absorb more flavor. Continue simmering for about 15-20 more minutes.
Step 12
Check if the potatoes are cooked through by piercing them with a chopstick. Once the potatoes are tender, add the sliced green onions for the final touch and simmer for another minute. Taste the sauce and add salt if needed to adjust the seasoning.
Step 13
Your delicious and hearty Spicy Braised Beef is ready! The beef becomes incredibly tender and flavorful from the long braising time, and the spicy-sweet sauce is simply irresistible. Serve it over a warm bowl of rice for a truly satisfying meal!
