Hearty Homemade Budae Jjigae (Army Stew)
#BudaeJjigae #HomemadeStew #KoreanFood #SpicySoup #Recipe #ArmyBaseStew
Elevate your home dining experience with this robust homemade Budae Jjigae recipe, going beyond store-bought kits. This recipe features a flavorful homemade sauce, generous amounts of assorted sausages and meats, crisp scallion salad, sweet baked beans, and seasoned ground pork. We use convenient beef bone broth powder as a substitute for traditional broth, complemented by the tang of kimchi. Simmered to perfection, this Budae Jjigae rivals any restaurant-style dish. Enjoy a satisfying and hearty meal that’s perfect for sharing.
Budae Jjigae Ingredients- Assorted Budae Jjigae Sausage/Meat Platter 400g (a mix of various sausages and meats)
- Fresh Scallion Salad 100g
- Well-fermented Kimchi 1/4 head (chopped into bite-sized pieces)
- Baked Beans 300g (sweet variety)
- Ground Pork 300g
- Garlic Herb Salt 1 tsp (for seasoning ground pork)
- Black Pepper 1 tsp (for seasoning ground pork)
- Beef Bone Broth Powder 3 Tbsp (as broth substitute)
- Green Onion 1/3 stalk (sliced diagonally)
- Sliced Cheese 1 slice (for topping)
Seasoning Ingredients- Gochujang (Korean Chili Paste) 1 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean Chili Flakes) 1 Tbsp
- Galchi Sokjeot (Fermented Cutlassfish Roe) 1 Tbsp (for umami)
- Minced Garlic 1 Tbsp
- Minced Ginger 1 tsp
- Cheongju (Rice Wine) 1 Tbsp (to remove gamey odors)
- Plum Extract 1 tsp (for sweetness and flavor)
- Black Pepper 1 tsp
- Gochujang (Korean Chili Paste) 1 Tbsp
- Gochugaru (Korean Chili Flakes) 1 Tbsp
- Galchi Sokjeot (Fermented Cutlassfish Roe) 1 Tbsp (for umami)
- Minced Garlic 1 Tbsp
- Minced Ginger 1 tsp
- Cheongju (Rice Wine) 1 Tbsp (to remove gamey odors)
- Plum Extract 1 tsp (for sweetness and flavor)
- Black Pepper 1 tsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
In a large pot, place the beef bone broth powder (3 Tbsp) at the bottom to form the base of the broth. (Water will be added later.)
Step 2
In a bowl, combine all the seasoning ingredients and mix well to create a delicious sauce. (1 Tbsp Gochujang, 1 Tbsp Gochugaru, 1 Tbsp Galchi Sokjeot, 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic, 1 tsp Minced Ginger, 1 Tbsp Cheongju, 1 tsp Plum Extract, 1 tsp Black Pepper)
Step 3
Season the ground pork (300g) with garlic herb salt (1 tsp) and black pepper (1 tsp). Knead the mixture until it becomes sticky and cohesive. Shape it into small patties or meatballs. These seasoned pork ‘minced’ meatballs will add depth to the stew.
Step 4
Add the chopped kimchi (1/4 head) generously over the beef bone broth powder in the pot. The kimchi’s tanginess will enhance the richness of the broth.
Step 5
Arrange the prepared ground pork meatballs (minced) neatly on top of the kimchi.
Step 6
Add a generous amount of fresh scallion salad (100g). The scallions will contribute a refreshing taste and help eliminate any unwanted odors.
Step 7
Now, add the star ingredient: the assorted Budae Jjigae meats and sausages (400g), cut into manageable pieces and arranged attractively in the pot. For an extra layer of flavor, you can lightly torch the sausages to impart a smoky aroma (optional, if you have a culinary torch).
Step 8
Pour in plenty of water. The beef bone broth powder and ground pork will create a rich broth. Stir in the prepared seasoning sauce and add the baked beans (300g) whole. Baked beans are crucial for achieving that authentic, outside-style Budae Jjigae flavor. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
Step 9
Once the broth has developed a rich flavor, it’s important to remember that the sausages and meats will release saltiness. Therefore, adjust the seasoning sauce cautiously from the beginning, tasting and adding more if needed. This hearty stew is delicious immediately, but for convenience, you can portion it and freeze it for future meals.
Step 10
For the best experience, serve and cook the Budae Jjigae at the table using a portable burner. As it simmers, top with a slice of processed cheese and the diagonally sliced green onions. For extra heat, add thinly sliced chili peppers (like Cheongyang peppers) or red bell peppers. Once the cheese has melted, all the flavors will meld together, creating a magnificent Budae Jjigae. Enjoy this comforting dish with a bowl of hot rice!
