Japanese Beef Croquettes Recipe

Mashed potatoes: These form the base of the croquettes, providing a creamy and starchy texture.

Ground beef: Adds a rich, savory flavor and protein to the croquettes.

Onion: Chopped finely, it adds a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor.

Salt: Enhances the overall taste of the croquettes.

Pepper: Adds a hint of spice and balances the flavors.

Egg: Beaten, it helps the breadcrumbs adhere to the patties.

Breadcrumbs: Creates a crispy outer layer when fried.

Flour: Used for dredging the patties before coating them in egg and breadcrumbs.

Vegetable oil: Essential for frying the croquettes to a golden-brown perfection.

When shaping the croquettes, make sure to press the mixture firmly to avoid them falling apart during frying. Additionally, when frying, ensure the oil is at the right temperature by testing with a small piece of breadcrumb; it should sizzle and turn golden brown within a few seconds. This will help achieve a perfectly crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender and flavorful.

• boiled and mashed potatoes - Substitute with sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes offer a slightly sweeter flavor and a similar texture when mashed.

• cooked ground beef - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and provides a similar texture and taste when cooked.

• chopped onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder and slightly sweeter flavor compared to onions, making them a good alternative.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a depth of umami flavor along with the saltiness, enhancing the overall taste.

• pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a milder flavor and is less visually noticeable in the dish.

• beaten egg - Substitute with flaxseed meal and water mixture: Mix 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal with 3 tablespoons of water to create a vegan binding agent.

• breadcrumbs - Substitute with panko breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs are lighter and crispier, providing a better texture for the croquettes.

• flour - Substitute with cornstarch: Cornstarch can be used as a gluten-free alternative to flour for coating the croquettes.

• vegetable oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it suitable for frying.

• Allow the croquettes to cool completely at room temperature. This prevents condensation from forming, which can make them soggy.

• Once cooled, place the croquettes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they are not touching each other. This step is crucial for preventing them from sticking together.

• Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer and let the croquettes freeze until they are solid, which usually takes about 2-3 hours.

• After they are fully frozen, remove the croquettes from the baking sheet and place them in a resealable freezer bag or an airtight container. Be sure to label the bag or container with the date.

• When ready to enjoy, you can reheat the frozen croquettes directly from the freezer. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), place the croquettes on a baking sheet, and bake for 15-20 minutes or until they are heated through and crispy.

• Alternatively, you can reheat them in a frying pan. Heat a small amount of vegetable oil over medium heat and fry the croquettes until they are hot and crispy, turning occasionally to ensure even heating.

• For optimal freshness, consume the frozen croquettes within 1-2 months.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the croquettes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  3. Lightly spray or brush the croquettes with a bit of vegetable oil to help them crisp up.
  4. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until they are heated through and the exterior is crispy.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Arrange the croquettes in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
  3. Lightly spray the croquettes with vegetable oil.
  4. Air fry for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of vegetable oil.
  2. Place the croquettes in the skillet, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
  3. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are heated through and the exterior is crispy.

• Microwave Method (for a quick fix, though less crispy):

  1. Place the croquettes on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover them with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they are evenly heated.

• Toaster Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the croquettes on the toaster oven tray.
  3. Lightly spray or brush with vegetable oil.
  4. Toast for 10-12 minutes, or until they are heated through and crispy on the outside.

• Mixing bowl: Use this to combine the mashed potatoes, cooked ground beef, and chopped onion.

• Knife: Essential for chopping the onion finely.

• Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for chopping the onion.

• Measuring spoons: Helps to measure out the salt and pepper accurately.

• Measuring cups: Useful for measuring the mashed potatoes, ground beef, flour, breadcrumbs, and vegetable oil.

• Fork: Handy for beating the egg.

• Plate: Use this to hold the flour, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs for dredging the patties.

• Frying pan: Necessary for frying the croquettes until they are golden brown and crispy.

• Spatula: Helps to flip the croquettes while frying.

• Paper towels: Use these to drain the excess oil from the fried croquettes.

• Tongs: Useful for handling the croquettes while frying and transferring them to the paper towels.

Prepare the filling: Cook and season the ground beef and chopped onion in advance. Store them in the fridge until ready to mix with mashed potatoes.

Uniform shape: Use an ice cream scoop to portion out the mixture evenly, ensuring each croquette is the same size for consistent cooking.

Assembly line: Set up a dredging station with flour, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs in separate bowls. This speeds up the coating process.

Preheat oil: Start heating the vegetable oil while you shape the patties, so it's ready for frying as soon as you finish.