Discover the Ultimate Comfort Food: Cheesy Beef Croquettes! Crispy on the outside, creamy and cheese on the inside. These savory delights are packed with flavorful ground beef, creamy mashed potatoes, and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect as an appetizer, main course, or side dish, these croquettes will have everyone coming back for more.

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Cheesy Beef Potato Croquettes

Discover the Ultimate Comfort Food: Cheesy Beef Potato Croquettes! Our Japanese-style Beef Croquette is crispy on the outside, creamy and cheese on the inside. These savory delights are packed with flavorful ground beef, creamy mashed potatoes, and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect as an appetizer, main course, or side dish, these croquettes will have everyone coming back for more.

WHAT IS A CROQUETTE

A croquette is a popular dish in Japanese cuisine, known for its crispy exterior and savory filling. The Japanese style croquette, or “korokke,” typically features a mixture of mashed potatoes and ground meat, such as beef or pork, seasoned with onions, soy sauce, and other spices. This mixture is shaped into patties, coated in flour, dipped in beaten eggs, and then rolled in Panko bread crumbs before being deep-fried to golden perfection. The result is a delightful contrast between the crunchy coating and the soft, flavorful interior.

Korokke is often enjoyed as a snack, side dish, or part of a bento box, and can be served with a variety of sauces, like the tangy and sweet Okonomi sauce or Tonkatsu sauce, to enhance its deliciousness.

Main Ingredients for Cheesy Beef Potato Croquettes

Russet Potato – Potatoes are the foundation of this recipe, providing a creamy and smooth texture. We’ll peel and cut them into large chunks, then boil until fork-tender and mash until they achieve a soft, creamy consistency. Russet potatoes are ideal due to their high starch content, which makes for fluffy mashed potatoes.

Ground Beef – Ground beef is the star ingredient, bringing robust flavor and hearty texture to the croquettes. We’ll cook it with finely diced onions and seasonings, adding depth and richness to every bite. The savory, juicy beef contrasts wonderfully with the creamy potatoes and gooey cheese.

Finely Diced Onions – Onions add a subtle sweetness and aromatic quality that pairs perfectly with the ground beef. Cooking the onions until they are tender enhances their flavor, making them a crucial component that elevates the overall taste of the dish.

Shredded Mozzarella Cheese – This is a key ingredient that brings a delightful surprise to the croquettes. Placing shredded mozzarella cheese in the center of each patty ensures a wonderful cheese pull when you bite into them, adding a creamy, melty texture that contrasts with the crispy exterior.

Panko Bread Crumbs – Panko bread crumbs are essential for achieving the perfect crispy coating. We’ll coat the croquettes in flour, dip them in beaten eggs, and then roll them in Panko bread crumbs. Panko’s light and airy texture helps create a beautifully golden and crunchy exterior when deep-fried, providing a satisfying contrast to the soft interior.

Tonkatsu Sauce or Okonomi Suace – Both of these sauces are staples in Japanese cuisine and offer a savory-sweet flavor that complements the croquettes wonderfully. Tonkatsu sauce, often used with fried dishes, and Okonomi sauce, known for its use with savory pancakes, add a rich, tangy finish that enhances the overall taste experience of the croquettes.

Cooking Instructions for Cheesy Beef Potato Croquettes

Prepare the Potatoes

Add potato chunks to a medium-sized pot and fill the pot with enough cold water to cover the potato chunks. Bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, and continue to boil the potato for 15-20 minutes until they are fork-tender. Drain and set aside.

Cook the Beef

While the potatoes are cooking, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add diced onions and sauté for about 2 minutes.

Combine

Add ground beef to the pan, break it into small pieces and sauté until browned. Season with 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper. Set aside.
Add cooked potatoes, butter, 1/4 teaspoon (or to taste) salt to a large bowl. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher until smooth. Add the cooked ground beef to the bowl and mix until well combined.

Form and Bread the Croquettes

Scoop out about 1/4 cup of mashed potato mixture and form it into a ball with your hands. Flatten the center of the potato ball then place about 2 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese in the middle. Wrap the potato mixture tightly around the cheese with your hands, forming a 2” thick potato patty.
Place the flour, beaten eggs, and Panko bread crumbs in 3 separate shallow bowls. Season the flour with some more salt and pepper for more flavors. First, coat a potato patty with flour, then dip it in the beaten eggs, and lastly, evenly cover it with Panko crumbs on all sides.
Repeat step 1 and 2 for the remaining mashed potato mixture.

Fry to Perfection

In a medium-sized pot or deep skillet, heat 3-4 cups of oil, enough to cover the potato patties. Once hot, carefully place the potato patties in hot oil and fry for 2-3 minutes, until golden brown on each side. You may have to do this in batches.

Plate and Serve

Plate the beef potato croquettes (over some shredded green cabbage if desired). Drizzle some Tonkatsu or Okomoni sauce over each croquette.

Notes:

Ensure the oil is at the right temperature (about 350°F or 175°C) before frying the beef potato croquettes. This helps in achieving a crispy exterior without absorbing too much oil.
You can add more spices or herbs to the potato and beef mixture for additional flavor, such as garlic powder or parsley.