Semur Daging (Indonesian Sweet Soy Braised Beef)
In short: Beef braised until tender in sweet soy sauce with nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon, finished with soft potatoes and tomato in a glossy, savory-sweet sauce. It takes about 2 h 20 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 2 h
- Total
- 2 h 20 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 410 kcal
Semur is an Indonesian home-cooking favorite, a gently spiced beef braise with sweet soy sauce, nutmeg and cloves. The warm spices reflect centuries of trade, and the dish tastes closer to a European stew than to most Indonesian curries. Potatoes cook right in the sauce and thicken it a little. It is easy, forgiving and even better the next day, served over steamed rice.
Instructions
- Pat the beef dry. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat and brown the beef in two batches, about 5 minutes per batch. Set it aside.
- Add the remaining oil, then cook the onion for 6 minutes until golden. Stir in the garlic, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon and pepper for 1 minute.
- Return the beef to the pot. Add the kecap manis, soy sauce, water and salt. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Add the potatoes, cover and simmer for 25 minutes, until the beef and potatoes are tender.
- Add the tomatoes and cook uncovered for 5 to 10 minutes, until the sauce is glossy and lightly thickened. Remove the cinnamon stick and cloves.
- Taste and adjust the salt. Serve over steamed rice, topped with spring onions and fried shallots.
Tips
- Brown the beef properly and do not crowd the pot. The caramelized crust adds depth that sweet soy sauce alone cannot supply.
- No kecap manis? Use 3 tbsp soy sauce plus 2 tbsp brown sugar. Beef cheeks or short rib are good swaps for chuck and need about the same time.
Questions and answers
Can I make semur in a pressure cooker?
Yes. Brown the beef and the spices on the sauté setting, then add the kecap manis, soy sauce, salt and only 400 ml (1 2/3 cups) water. Cook under high pressure for 30 minutes and release the pressure. Add the potatoes and simmer on the sauté setting for about 10 minutes until tender, then add the tomato and reduce the sauce.
Can I freeze semur daging?
Freeze it for up to 3 months. Potatoes soften slightly after freezing, so you may prefer to add fresh ones when you reheat.
Is semur sweet?
It is mildly sweet and savory, not sugary. The sweetness comes from kecap manis and onions, balanced by salt and warm spices. Add a squeeze of lime if you want it brighter.
How long does it take to make Semur Daging (Indonesian Sweet Soy Braised Beef)?
About 2 h 20 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 2 h of cooking.
How many calories are in Semur Daging (Indonesian Sweet Soy Braised Beef)?
About 410 kcal per serving, with 32 g of protein, 21 g of carbohydrates and 22 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 410 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 32 g |
| Carbohydrates | 21 g |
| Fat | 22 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 11 g |
| Sodium | 950 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
