Homemade Beef Teriyaki Recipe: Sweet & Savory Delight

Juicy strips of beef dance with a glossy teriyaki sauce in this quick and mouthwatering teriyaki beef recipe that promises restaurant-quality flavor at home.

The savory marinade infuses each tender morsel with a perfect balance of sweet and umami notes.

Bold Asian-inspired seasonings bring depth to every single bite.

Forget complicated takeout orders and pricey restaurant meals.

This simple dish comes together in mere minutes with basic ingredients from your pantry.

Packed with robust flavors, the recipe transforms ordinary beef into an extraordinary meal that will have everyone asking for seconds.

You’ll love how effortlessly this dish creates a satisfying dinner that feels both comforting and exciting.

Beef Teriyaki Reasons to Try It

• Quick Weeknight Savior: Whip up this delicious beef teriyaki in minutes, perfect for busy families craving a restaurant-quality meal without the hassle.
• Flavor-Packed Delight: Combines sweet, tangy, and savory notes with a perfect balance of soy sauce, honey, and aromatic garlic and ginger for an irresistible taste experience.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Easily adaptable to serve over rice, noodles, or with various side dishes, making it a hit for family dinners, potlucks, or casual gatherings.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Requires simple pantry staples and takes just a few steps to create a mouthwatering dish that looks and tastes like it came from a professional kitchen.

Ingredients for Simple Beef Teriyaki

• Soy Sauce: A traditional Asian condiment that provides a rich, salty flavor to the teriyaki sauce.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a deep caramel sweetness that balances the salty soy sauce.
• Honey: Brings natural sweetness and helps create a glossy sauce texture.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds a subtle tangy note to enhance the overall flavor profile.
• Sesame Oil: Contributes a nutty, aromatic essence to the teriyaki sauce.

• Garlic: Provides a pungent and robust flavor base for the teriyaki sauce.
• Ginger: Offers a warm, spicy undertone that is characteristic of Asian cuisine.

• Beef: The main protein that absorbs the delicious teriyaki sauce.
• Vegetable Oil: Used for cooking the beef and preventing sticking to the pan.

• Cornstarch, Water: Creates a slurry that helps thicken the sauce and give it a glossy appearance.

• Sesame Seeds, Green Onions: Add visual appeal and fresh flavor to the finished dish.
• Rice or Noodles: Provides a classic base for serving the beef teriyaki.

Cooking Beef Teriyaki Made Easy

Step 1: Craft Flavor-Packed Teriyaki Sauce

• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar
• Honey
• Minced garlic
• Freshly grated ginger
• Rice vinegar
• Sesame oil

Whisk everything together until the sugar dissolves completely, creating a glossy, aromatic sauce that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 2: Prepare Sauce Thickener

In a separate small bowl, mix cornstarch with water, stirring until it creates a smooth, silky slurry.

This magical mixture will help your sauce reach that perfect, glossy consistency.

Step 3: Sear Succulent Beef

Heat a pan with vegetable oil over medium-high heat.

Toss in your beef strips and cook until they develop a beautiful golden-brown crust.

The sizzling sound is your cue that deliciousness is happening.

Step 4: Bring Sauce to Life

Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce over the beef, letting it bubble and simmer.

Watch as the sauce starts to coat each piece of meat with its incredible flavor profile.

Step 5: Thicken and Transform

Add the cornstarch slurry to the pan, stirring continuously.

The sauce will magically transform, becoming glossy and clinging perfectly to each beef morsel.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle a handful of sesame seeds and chopped green onions over the top.

Serve your beef teriyaki over a bed of fluffy rice or tender noodles for a complete meal that’ll impress everyone at the table.

Tips for Tasty Beef Teriyaki

• Choose tender cuts like sirloin or flank steak, sliced thinly against the grain for maximum tenderness and quick cooking.
• Adjust cornstarch slurry gradually to achieve your desired sauce consistency, adding more water if too thick or more cornstarch if too thin.
• Taste the sauce before adding to beef, and adjust sweetness with extra honey or brown sugar, or add more rice vinegar for tanginess.
• Sear beef quickly on high heat and remove from pan just as it browns to maintain juiciness and prevent toughening.
• Replace rice with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a healthier, lower-carbohydrate meal option that still captures the teriyaki essence.

Teriyaki Variations for Flavor Swaps

• Chicken Teriyaki: Replace beef with boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts for a lighter protein option.
• Tofu Teriyaki: Swap beef with firm tofu, pressing and cubing it before pan-frying for a vegetarian-friendly version.
• Low-Sodium Teriyaki: Use reduced-sodium soy sauce and coconut aminos to decrease salt content while maintaining flavor depth.
• Gluten-Free Teriyaki: Substitute regular soy sauce with tamari and ensure cornstarch is certified gluten-free for those with wheat sensitivities.

Serving Beef Teriyaki at Dinner

• Family Feast Night: Serve this teriyaki beef with steamed white rice and roasted broccoli for a complete, balanced meal that everyone will love.
• Meal Prep Magic: Pack leftover teriyaki beef with quinoa and extra vegetables in meal prep containers for quick, delicious lunches throughout the week.
• Noodle Bowl Delight: Toss the beef over udon or soba noodles, adding extra green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for extra crunch and flavor.
• Lettuce Wrap Adventure: Use the teriyaki beef as a filling for crisp lettuce wraps, creating a lighter, low-carb option that's perfect for a quick dinner or appetizer.

Teriyaki Beef Storage Suggestions

• Store leftover beef teriyaki in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled teriyaki beef to freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags. Freeze up to 3 months for best quality and taste.
• Place beef in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle few drops of water to prevent drying. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Warm beef in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or extra teriyaki sauce to maintain moisture and prevent burning.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of meat for this recipe?

Yes, chicken, pork, or tofu work great as substitutes for beef. Just adjust cooking times accordingly.

• Is there a way to make this recipe less sweet?

Reduce the brown sugar and honey amounts, or replace them with a sugar-free alternative like monk fruit sweetener.

• How can I make the sauce more flavorful?

Add a splash of mirin or sake for depth, or include a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.

• What if I don't have cornstarch for thickening?

You can use potato starch, arrowroot powder, or flour as alternative thickening agents in the same quantity.

Easy Beef Teriyaki Recipe

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4.5 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling beef teriyaki brings Japanese-inspired flavors right to your dinner table with minimal effort. Juicy marinated beef glazed in a sweet and savory sauce promises a quick, delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) beef (sirloin or flank steak), thinly sliced

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) water

Aromatics and Oils:

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Garnish:

• 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)
• 2 green onions, sliced

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Instructions

1. Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in a mixing vessel to create a vibrant teriyaki base.
2. Create a smooth cornstarch solution by thoroughly blending cornstarch with water until completely dissolved.
3. Warm vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, reaching approximately 375°F.
4. Sear beef pieces quickly, ensuring each side develops a rich golden-brown crust, about 2-3 minutes total.
5. Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce over the sizzling beef, allowing ingredients to meld and develop deep flavor profiles.
6. Introduce the cornstarch mixture, stirring continuously to prevent clumping and facilitate sauce thickening within 1-2 minutes.
7. Monitor sauce consistency until it reaches a glossy, coating texture that clings perfectly to the meat.
8. Remove from heat and generously sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and finely chopped green onions as a fresh, aromatic garnish.
9. Present the teriyaki beef alongside steamed rice or tender noodles for a complete, satisfying meal.

Notes

• Boost umami flavor by marinating beef for 30 minutes before cooking to enhance depth and tenderness.
• Opt for lean cuts like sirloin or flank steak to reduce fat content while maintaining juicy texture.
• Adjust sweetness by reducing brown sugar or using low-sugar alternatives like monk fruit sweetener for diabetic-friendly version.
• Create gluten-free variation by substituting regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to accommodate dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 295 kcal
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 11 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg