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5 from 7 votes

Japanese Ground Beef Curry (Better Than Takeout) – 30 Minutes

This Japanese ground beef curry beats takeout and takes just 30 minutes — rich, savory, and perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or meal prep
Course Main Course
Cuisine Asian
Keyword japanese curry
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 2
Cost $5

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Ground beef
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 pinch Salt
  • 1 pinch Black pepper
  • 1/2 Onion, diced
  • 1 cube Japanese curry cube (any brand)
  • 1 tsp Dashi powder
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup Milk
  • 1 tbsp Ketchup
  • 2 tbsp Bonito flakes (topping)

Instructions

  • Brown the beef:
    Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add ground beef and brown for 4 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
  • Sauté the onions:
    In the same skillet, add diced onions and cook until softened and lightly golden, about 2 minutes.
  • Add curry cube:
    Stir in the Japanese curry cube with the onions and cook until melted. Add ground beef back into the pan.
  • Make curry sauce:
    Add dashi powder and garlic powder, and pour in milk. Stir until the sauce becomes rich and smooth. Stir in ketchup for extra sweetness.
    japanese ground beef curry
  • Adjust thickness:
    Let sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes until desired thickness. If you prefer a thinner consistency, add 2 tbsp of water and adjust.
  • Serve and garnish:
    Spoon the curry over a bed of steamed rice and top with bonito flakes for a smoky, umami-packed finish. Enjoy!