Rich and Savory Beef Brisket Doenjang Jjigae (Korean Soybean Paste Stew)
How to Make Beef Brisket Doenjang Jjigae
I made a doenjang jjigae using beef brisket, which my son loves. Brisket is truly the best ingredient for doenjang jjigae! This hearty stew is packed with flavor and perfect for a comforting meal.
Main Ingredients
- 1 handful beef brisket (about 100-150g)
- 1/8 napa cabbage (focus on inner leaves)
- 1/4 Korean radish (about 150g)
- 1/2 Korean zucchini (aehobak)
- 1 piece dried kelp (dashima, 5cm x 5cm)
Seasoning and Broth
- 3 Tbsp soybean paste (doenjang)
- 1 tsp red pepper paste (gochujang)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp tuna extract (or fish sauce/soy sauce)
- 3 Tbsp soybean paste (doenjang)
- 1 tsp red pepper paste (gochujang)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp tuna extract (or fish sauce/soy sauce)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the vegetables that will define the flavor of your doenjang jjigae. Chop the napa cabbage into bite-sized pieces (about 3-4 cm) and thinly slice the Korean radish (about 0.3 cm thick). Slice the Korean zucchini into half-moon shapes. In a clay pot or saucepan, pour 3-4 cups (600-800ml) of water. Add the sliced radish and dried kelp, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once the water boils, remove the kelp. Dissolve 3 tablespoons of doenjang and 1 teaspoon of gochujang into the water. Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic. For a deeper flavor, you can also add half a packet of anchovy dashi or store-bought broth.
Step 2
Once the broth is boiling, add the prepared napa cabbage and Korean zucchini, and simmer for a while longer until the vegetables are tender. Now it’s time to season the stew. Add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, fish sauce, or tuna extract to adjust the saltiness. Be mindful of the saltiness of the doenjang itself and adjust accordingly. It’s important to add the beef brisket at the end to preserve its fresh texture.
Step 3
Finally, add the handful of beef brisket and quickly boil over high heat for 1-2 minutes. Cook only until the brisket turns white to ensure it remains tender and doesn’t become tough. Once the brisket is cooked through, immediately turn off the heat. Ladle the delicious beef brisket doenjang jjigae into bowls. Enjoy this hearty stew with a hot bowl of rice!
