Transform your dinner routine with this irresistible teriyaki beef recipe that brings restaurant-quality Asian flavors right to your kitchen. This quick and savory dish features tender slices of beef glazed in a homemade teriyaki sauce that's perfectly balanced between sweet and savory. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you're craving something special!
Why You'll Love This Teriyaki Beef Recipe
This classic Japanese-inspired dish has become a global favorite for good reason. The caramelized teriyaki sauce creates a beautiful glaze on the beef, while the simple cooking method ensures the meat stays tender and juicy. It's an excellent choice for meal prep and pairs perfectly with rice and steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
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Ingredients
the Beef:
- 1½ pounds ribeye or sirloin steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cups broccoli florets (optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced for garnish
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds for garnish
the Teriyaki Sauce:
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
- ¼ cup sake or dry white wine
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
Prepare the Teriyaki Sauce
- Combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, and brown sugar in a small saucepan
- Add minced garlic and grated ginger
- Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally
- Mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry
- Add the slurry to the sauce and cook until thickened (about 2 minutes)
- Remove from heat and set aside
Prepare the Beef
- Slice your beef against the grain into thin, uniform strips (about ¼ inch thick)
- Pat the beef dry with paper towels to ensure better browning
- Season lightly with salt and pepper
Cook the Beef
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until smoking
- Add beef in batches to avoid overcrowding (this ensures proper searing)
- Cook each batch for 2-3 minutes until browned
- Remove cooked beef and set aside
Finish the Dish
- If using broccoli, stir-fry it in the same pan for 2-3 minutes
- Return beef to the pan
- Pour the teriyaki sauce over the beef
- Toss everything together until well-coated and heated through
- Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds
Equipment For Teriyaki Beef Recipe
- Large skillet or wok
- Sharp knife for slicing beef
- Small saucepan for teriyaki sauce
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days
- Freezer: Can be frozen for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe container
- Reheating: Warm in a skillet over medium heat or microwave until heated through
Dietary Considerations and Substitutions
- Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce
- Low-Sugar: Replace brown sugar with a sugar substitute
- Alcohol-Free: Substitute sake and mirin with rice vinegar and additional sugar
- Keto-Friendly: Use a sugar-free sweetener and skip the cornstarch
Perfect Pairings
Serve your teriyaki beef with:
- Steamed jasmine rice
- Cauliflower rice for a low-carb option
- Stir-fried vegetables
- Noodles such as udon or soba
Top Tip
For the most tender results, freeze the beef for 15-20 minutes before slicing – this makes it easier to get thin, even cuts
Use a sharp knife to slice against the grain, which ensures maximum tenderness
Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking the beef – this ensures proper browning instead of steaming
Let the teriyaki sauce reduce until it coats the back of a spoon for the perfect consistency
FAQ
Ribeye or sirloin are ideal, but you can also use flank steak or tenderloin. The key is slicing the meat thinly against the grain.
Yes! The sauce can be made up to a week in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to taste, either in the sauce or as a garnish.
Skip the takeout - this homemade teriyaki beef delivers restaurant-quality flavor in just 30 minutes! With perfectly tender beef and a glossy, flavorful sauce, this recipe is sure to become your new weeknight favorite.
Give it a try and share your results in the comments below!
Recent Recipe: If you enjoyed the Easy Teriyaki Beef Recipe, you’ll love the Beef Back Ribs Recipe for another flavorful beef dish.
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Easy Teriyaki Beef Recipe
Equipment
- Large skillet or wok
- Sharp knife for slicing beef
- Small saucepan for teriyaki sauce
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board
Ingredients
For the Beef & Vegetables
- 1½ lbs beef sirloin thinly sliced
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 green onions sliced (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds for garnish
For the Sauce
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup mirin
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger grated
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water for cornstarch slurry
Instructions
Prepare Sauce:
- Mix soy sauce, mirin, and brown sugar in a bowl
- Add minced garlic and grated ginger
- In separate bowl, mix cornstarch with water to make slurry
Cook Beef:
- Heat oil in large pan over high heat
- Cook beef in batches until browned (2-3 minutes)
- Remove beef and set aside
Cook Broccoli:
- In same pan, add broccoli
- Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until bright green
Combine:
- Return beef to pan
- Add sauce mixture
- Add cornstarch slurry
- Cook until sauce thickens (2-3 minutes)
- Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds
Notes
- Slice beef when partially frozen for thinner cuts
- Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking beef
- Serve hot over steamed rice
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