Soybean paste stew with beef

Doenjang-jjigae (fermented soybean paste stew) is a hearty, delicious, warm, and comforting everyday stew that Koreans never get tired of. We have so many variations that we can happily and comfortably eat it a few times (or more often) a week with rice and kimchi and enjoy it every time.

I’ve introduced doenjang-jjigae on my website before, my longtime favorite recipe cooked with shrimp, anchovy stock, and vegetables, and also a version with scallops. But we can also make it with beef instead of seafood, preferably a little fatty, marbled cut that will give the broth a rich flavor and allows you to leave out the cooking oil.

You may be tempted to be generous and load the stew with more ingredients, but adding 4 ounces of each, as I do in this recipe, will make for a well-proportioned stew with plenty of broth.

Enjoy the recipe!

typical Korean breakfast 

Ingredients

(serves 4)

• 4 ounces any cuts of beef (or ground beef), cut very thinly
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 ounces potato, peeled and cut into ½-inch dice
• 4 ounces onion, cut into ½-inch dice
• 4 ounces zucchini, cut into ½-inch dice
• ¼ cup doenjang (Korean fermented soybean paste)
• 4 ounces medium-firm tofu, cut into ½-inch pieces
• 1 green chili pepper or jalapeño, sliced
• 1 green onion, sliced
• 1 teaspoon gochu-garu (Korean hot pepper flakes; optional)

Directions

1. Place a heavy, medium sized pot over medium heat. When it is hot, add the vegetable oil, beef, and garlic. Cook, stirring, for a few minutes, until the beef is no longer pink. Add 2 cups water.
2. Cover and cook for 10 minutes over medium heat. If it begins to boil over, crack the lid.
3. Add the potato, onion, zucchini, and doenjang.
4. Cover and cook for another 10 minutes. Stir the stew to make sure that the soybean paste is evenly incorporated.
5. Add the tofu, green chili pepper, green onion, and gochu-garu (if used).
6. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes, until the tofu softens and the stew is bubbling. Serve right away with rice, kimchi, and more side dishes.
7. You can refrigerate the stew for up to 3 days. When you want to have some, reheat gently on top of the stove.

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