This Japanese Pork Curry comes together in about 30 minutes and is made all in one pot for a quick weeknight meal that your family will love! Switch up the veggies or use whatever you’ve got to suit your taste, or even throw in a few leftovers for a “clean out the fridge” dinner. Seriously, this dish is the perfect mix of comfort food and convenience!
Ingredients You’ll Need for Japanese Pork Curry
- 1 lb pork (shoulder or loin), cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 onions, sliced thinly (I usually go for yellow onions, but white works too!)
- 2 carrots, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 2 potatoes, diced (I love using Yukon Gold for their creaminess)
- 2 tablespoons curry powder (adjust based on how spicy you like it!)
- 4 cups water or broth (chicken or vegetable broth adds a lovely depth)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (for that umami kick!)
- 1 tablespoon oil (vegetable or canola works great)
- A couple pinches of salt and pepper to taste
Optional Ingredients for Extra Flavor:
- 1 tablespoon of mirin for sweetness.
- A dash of garlic or ginger for some zing.
- Frozen peas or bell peppers for extra color and nutrients!
Feel free to get creative! If you have other veggies lying around, toss them in! This curry is all about making it your own.
Let’s Get Cooking!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Sauté the Aromatics: In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sauté until they become translucent and golden, about 5-7 minutes. The smell will start to fill your kitchen, oh, so good!
Brown the Pork: Next, add in the cubed pork. We’re looking to get it a bit browned, about 5-6 minutes. Stirring occasionally helps to get it nice and golden. Scrape the yummy bits off the bottom for extra flavor!
Add in the Veggies: Toss in the chopped carrots and diced potatoes, stirring everything together for about 2-3 minutes. It should look vibrant and inviting!
Spice it Up: Sprinkle in the curry powder and mix well. You want to coat everything with those delicious spices for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Bring to a Boil: Pour in the 4 cups of water or broth and bring to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it bubble away for about 15-20 minutes, or until the veggies are tender and the pork is cooked through.
Add Flavor Boosters: Stir in the soy sauce and season with salt and pepper. You can also add mirin at this point if you’re using it. Let everything simmer for another 5 minutes. The flavors will explode, promise!
Serve it Up: Once done, serve it hot over a bed of fluffy rice! Garnish with some green onions if you have them, they add a nice crunch.
And that’s it! You’ve got a wonderful, homemade Japanese Pork Curry ready to dive into.
Why I Love This Recipe
This is my go-to recipe when life gets crazy! It’s heartwarming comfort food that’s not only delicious but incredibly easy to whip up after a long day. I’m a real sucker for Asian flavors, and this curry packs tons of flavor in every bite. The best part is that you can use whatever ingredients you have on hand, it’s really flexible!
Honestly, I’ve made this with leftover veggies from stir-fries or whatever’s in the crisper, and it always turns out fantastic! If my picky eaters can finish their bowls, you know it’s a winner.
If you loved this Japanese Pork Curry, be sure to check out my easy Pork Cutlet, my Chicken and Egg Bowl, or my Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken)! Each of these recipes brings their charm to the table, perfect for busy weeknights!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This curry comes together in under 30 minutes (yes, really!) it’s a lifesaver for those nights when you just don’t have time to spend hours in the kitchen.
One Pot Wonder
Minimal cleanup required! Everything cooks in one pot, so you can spend less time scrubbing dishes and more time enjoying dinner with your family.
Budget-Friendly
Using affordable, everyday ingredients is a game-changer. You can make a nutritious meal without breaking the bank!
Customizable
You can easily use whatever ingredients you have, making this perfect for cleaning out the fridge. Got a half of a bell pepper? Toss it in! Feel free to mix and match based on your family’s preferences.
Comfort Food
Loaded with tons of flavor and warmth, this curry is the definition of comfort food. It wraps you in a cozy embrace and is perfect for chilly evenings.
Serving Suggestions
What to Serve With This
Japanese Pork Curry tastes divine served over fluffy white rice or with crusty bread to soak up all that delicious sauce. For a refreshing contrast, pair it with a simple salad or some steamed broccoli.
How to Store It
Leftover curry keeps well in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days in an airtight container. Just make sure it’s cooled completely before sealing it up!
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, simply warm it on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. If it’s too thick, you can add a splash of water or broth to loosen it up. You could also pop it in the microwave in a microwave-safe dish, covered loosely, for about 2-3 minutes, stirring midway.
Freezer Friendly?
Yes! This dish is great for freezing. Just make sure to cool it completely before transferring it into freezer-friendly containers. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, just thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat as mentioned above.
Final Thoughts…
This Japanese Pork Curry is more than just a quick meal. It’s a delightful family tradition that warms the heart and makes busy evenings a little brighter. I love how straightforward it is to whip up, and the compliments from my kids? Oh, that’s the cherry on top! So, what are you waiting for? Grab those ingredients and get to cooking. Your family will thank you! For more Recipes Follow Us in our Pinterest.
Happy cooking, my friends!
Print
Japanese Pork Curry
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
This delightful Japanese Pork Curry comes together in about 30 minutes and is made all in one pot for a quick and easy weeknight meal that your family will love!
Ingredients
- 1 lb pork (shoulder or loin), cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 onions, sliced thinly
- 2 carrots, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 2 potatoes, diced
- 2 tablespoons curry powder
- 4 cups water or broth (chicken or vegetable)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oil (vegetable or canola)
- A couple pinches of salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon of mirin (optional)
- A dash of garlic or ginger (optional)
- Frozen peas or bell peppers (optional)
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sauté until they become translucent and golden, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add in the cubed pork, cooking until browned (about 5-6 minutes).
- Toss in the chopped carrots and diced potatoes, stirring together for about 2-3 minutes.
- Sprinkle in the curry powder and mix well for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the 4 cups of water or broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and let bubble for about 15-20 minutes, until the veggies are tender and the pork is cooked through.
- Stir in the soy sauce and season with salt and pepper. Add mirin if using, and let simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Serve hot over rice, garnished with green onions if desired.
Notes
Feel free to switch up the veggies or use leftovers, this dish is very flexible!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
