Semur Daging (Indonesian Beef in Sweet Soy Stew)

In Indonesian cooking, semur daging sits somewhere between a braise and a richly seasoned stew, recognised for its glossy sweet-soy sauce and gentle spice. Beef is cooked slowly with shallots, garlic, ginger, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg until tender, while potatoes soften in the same pot and take on the savoury-sweet depth of the sauce. The result is hearty rather than heavy: mellow, aromatic and deeply umami, with enough sweetness to round the spices. Serve it hot with rice for a practical dinner that improves as the flavours settle.
Cuisine style Indonesian home-style stew
Flavor profile Savoury-sweet • Aromatic • Umami-rich
Techniques Braising • Gentle simmering
Key equipment Dutch oven
Time commitment Under 3 hours
Cooking style One-pot cooking • Hands-off cooking • Make-ahead friendly

Why this recipe works

  • Layered aromatics: Shallots, garlic and ginger form a savoury base, while cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg give the stew its warm, recognisable semur character.
  • Slow braise for tenderness: A low, gentle simmer gives the beef time to soften while the sauce becomes glossy and concentrated.
  • Potatoes enrich the sauce: The potatoes absorb the sweet-savoury cooking liquid and help the stew feel hearty without needing a separate thickener.

Get the most out of this recipe

Ingredient notes

  • Sweet soy matters: Semur is defined by dark, sweet soy sauce. A thinner, saltier soy sauce will not give the same rounded sweetness or glossy finish.
  • Choose braising beef: Use beef suited to slow cooking, such as stew meat, so it has enough time to become tender during the covered simmer.
  • Potato texture: Yukon Gold potatoes soften into the sauce; red potatoes will hold their shape more firmly if you prefer a neater stew.

Common mistakes

  • Boiling too hard: Keep the stew at a gentle simmer. A hard boil can toughen the beef before it has had time to break down.
  • Letting the sauce reduce too far: If the sauce thickens before the beef is tender, add a little water and continue cooking slowly.
  • Stopping too soon: The beef should be very soft and the potatoes fully tender before the final uncovered simmer.

Make-ahead tips

  • Good for preparing ahead: The stew can be cooked in advance and refrigerated once completely cooled.
  • Reheat gently: Warm it over low heat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce and prevent it catching on the base of the pan.
  • Freezer friendly: Freeze after cooking, then thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating until piping hot.

Authenticity notes

  • Home-style character: Semur daging is a gentle, aromatic stew rather than a chilli-hot dish, built around sweet soy, warm spices and slow-cooked beef.
  • How to serve it: Serve with plain steamed rice so the glossy sauce can be spooned over the bowl or plate.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Peel and thinly slice the shallots. Peel the garlic and ginger, then finely grate the ginger and crush the garlic.
  2. Heat the vegetable oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the shallots with a pinch of the salt and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring, until softened and lightly golden.
  3. Stir in the garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the beef and turn the heat up to medium-high; cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring, until the beef is no longer pink on the outside.
  4. Add the remaining salt, black pepper, whole cloves, cinnamon stick and ground nutmeg. Pour in the dark soy sauce and stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the base of the pot.
  5. Add the water, bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Cook for 60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is starting to turn tender and the sauce looks glossy.
  6. Peel the potatoes and cut into bite-sized chunks. Add them to the pot, return to a gentle simmer, then cover and cook for 20 to 25 minutes until the potatoes are tender and the beef is very soft.
  7. Uncover and simmer for 5 minutes to thicken slightly, stirring so the sauce coats the beef and potatoes. Taste and adjust with a little more salt or pepper if needed, then serve hot.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • Keep the simmer gentle; a hard boil can make the beef tighten before it has time to become tender.
  • If the sauce reduces too quickly before the beef is tender, add a splash of water and continue cooking at a low simmer.
  • For a smoother sauce, crush some of the potatoes against the side of the pot in the final simmer to naturally thicken it.

Substitutions

  • Replace Yukon Gold potato with red potato for a slightly firmer texture that holds its shape well.
  • Replace shallot with yellow onion for a more robust, less sweet base.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat with a splash of water until piping hot; freeze for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

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Semur Daging (Indonesian Beef in Sweet Soy Stew)
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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 2h (30min active)
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Cuisine: Indonesian
  • Allergens:
    Soybeans
One pot Freezer friendly Kid friendly

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