Savory & Sweet Easy Beef Teriyaki Recipe for Dinner Magic

Crafting a mouthwatering easy beef teriyaki recipe might sound intimidating, but trust me, it’s simpler than you think.

Tender strips of beef marinate in a savory sauce that brings Japanese-inspired flavors right to your kitchen.

Busy weeknight dinners demand quick and delicious solutions that don’t compromise on taste.

Home cooks can achieve restaurant-quality results with just a few pantry staples and minimal prep time.

Soy sauce, ginger, and garlic create a magic combination that turns ordinary meat into something spectacular.

Rich umami notes will make everyone at the table ask for seconds.

Prepare to impress your loved ones with this straightforward yet delectable dish that comes together in less than 30 minutes.

Easy Beef Teriyaki: What Makes It Great

• Craft a One-Pan Wonder: Simplify your cooking with this single-dish meal that combines chicken and potatoes in one delicious baking experience, minimizing cleanup and maximizing flavor.
• Maximize Flavor Potential: Packed with garlic, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning, this recipe transforms basic ingredients into a mouthwatering dinner that will impress family and friends.
• Quick Weeknight Champion: Perfect for busy households, this recipe requires minimal prep work and delivers a hearty, satisfying meal in under an hour with straightforward ingredients everyone loves.
• Customize with Ease: Adaptable to different tastes, you can swap seasonings or add extra vegetables to make this dish uniquely yours while maintaining its core deliciousness.

Ingredients List For Easy Beef Teriyaki

• Beef Slices: A tender protein that absorbs the teriyaki sauce and provides a hearty base for the dish.

• Soy Sauce: Adds a salty and umami flavor that is essential to the teriyaki style.
• Brown Sugar: Brings a deep, rich sweetness to balance the salty soy sauce.
• Honey: Provides additional sweetness and helps create a glossy sauce texture.
• Rice Vinegar: Offers a subtle tang that brightens the overall flavor profile.
• Sesame Oil: Contributes a nutty, aromatic element to the sauce.
• Garlic: Adds a pungent and savory depth to the teriyaki flavor.
• Ginger: Introduces a warm, spicy note that complements the other sauce ingredients.

• Cornstarch: Helps to thicken and create a glossy, smooth sauce texture.
• Water: Used to dissolve the cornstarch and create a slurry.
• Vegetable Oil: Provides a neutral cooking medium for searing the beef.

• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Add fresh flavor, color, and a crunchy texture to the finished dish.

How To Cook Easy Beef Teriyaki

Step 1: Whip Up Teriyaki Marinade

Combine all sauce ingredients in a mixing bowl. Grab your soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger.

Blend everything thoroughly until the sugar dissolves completely, creating a rich, aromatic marinade.

Step 2: Prepare Cornstarch Thickener

In a small cup, mix cornstarch with water until smooth.

This magical mixture will help transform your sauce from liquid to a luxurious, glossy coating for the beef.

Step 3: Sear the Beef

Fire up a pan with vegetable oil over medium-high heat.

Carefully add beef slices and cook until they develop a beautiful golden-brown exterior. The goal is to lock in those delicious meat juices and create a perfect caramelized surface.

Step 4: Infuse with Teriyaki Goodness

Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce into the pan with the seared beef. Let everything simmer and dance together, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.

Step 5: Thicken the Sauce

Introduce the cornstarch mixture to the pan. Stir continuously as the sauce transforms into a glossy, clingy coating that hugs each piece of beef perfectly.

Step 6: Garnish and Elevate

Remove the pan from heat. Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions and a shower of sesame seeds over the top, adding a burst of color and extra flavor dimension.

Step 7: Serve in Style

Present your teriyaki beef over a bed of fluffy rice or alongside steamed vegetables. The vibrant dish is now ready to delight your taste buds and impress your dinner companions.

Insider Advice For Easy Beef Teriyaki

• Slice beef against the grain for maximum tenderness and easier chewing.
• Marinate beef for 30 minutes before cooking to enhance flavor absorption and tenderize the meat.
• Use low-sodium soy sauce to control salt levels and prevent the dish from becoming too salty.
• For a gluten-free version, replace regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
• Let the sauce simmer gently to develop rich flavors without burning or creating a bitter taste.

Flavor Enhancements For Easy Beef Teriyaki

• Spicy Kick Teriyaki: Add sriracha or red pepper flakes to the sauce for a fiery version that tingles your taste buds.
• Pineapple Fusion Teriyaki: Mix in crushed pineapple chunks for a tropical sweetness that complements the beef's rich flavor.
• Slow Cooker Method: Replace stovetop cooking with a low and slow approach, letting beef simmer in teriyaki sauce for tender, melt-in-your-mouth results.
• Vegetarian Option: Swap beef with firm tofu or portobello mushrooms, keeping the same delicious teriyaki sauce and cooking technique.

Best Pairings For Easy Beef Teriyaki

• Asian Fusion Rice Bowl: Layer fluffy white rice with beef teriyaki, top with crisp cucumber slices, pickled carrots, and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for a colorful, restaurant-style presentation.
• Teriyaki Lettuce Wraps: Spoon the beef into crisp butter lettuce leaves, add a drizzle of extra sauce, and garnish with chopped cilantro for a light, refreshing handheld meal that's perfect for summer gatherings.
• Quick Noodle Stir-Fry: Toss the teriyaki beef with hot udon or soba noodles, mix in some steamed broccoli florets, and finish with a splash of chili oil for a satisfying one-pan dinner that comes together in minutes.

Storing Easy Beef Teriyaki Properly

• Store leftover beef teriyaki in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the sauce and meat together to maintain moisture and flavor.
• Transfer cooled beef teriyaki to freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags. Seal tightly and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm the beef teriyaki in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or extra sauce to prevent drying. Alternatively, microwave in short intervals, stirring between each to ensure even heating.
• If possible, store sauce and meat separately to prevent the meat from becoming soggy. Reheat meat and sauce together just before serving for the best texture and taste.

FAQs

• Can I use different cuts of beef for this recipe?

Yes, you can use flank steak, sirloin, or ribeye. Slice the meat thinly against the grain for the most tender result.

• Is it possible to make this dish less sweet?

Absolutely! Reduce the brown sugar and honey amount, or replace them with a sugar substitute to lower the sweetness level.

• How can I make this recipe more spicy?

Add red pepper flakes, sriracha sauce, or finely chopped chili peppers to the teriyaki sauce for extra heat and kick.

• Can I prepare the teriyaki sauce in advance?

Yes, you can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container.

Easy Beef Teriyaki Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 22 reviews

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

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Mouthwatering beef teriyaki brings Japanese culinary tradition to home kitchens with simple ingredients and quick preparation. Sizzling meat glazed in sweet-savory sauce creates a delicious meal you can master in minutes.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb beef (sirloin or flank steak), thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) soy sauce
• 2 tbsps brown sugar
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) water
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 green onions, chopped
• Sesame seeds

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a mixing bowl to create a robust teriyaki marinade.
2. Create a cornstarch slurry by dissolving cornstarch in water, ensuring no lumps remain.
3. Preheat a skillet to medium-high heat with vegetable oil, allowing it to shimmer before adding beef slices.
4. Sear beef until each slice develops a rich, golden-brown exterior, approximately 2-3 minutes per side.
5. Pour the prepared teriyaki marinade into the skillet, allowing it to bubble and infuse the meat with deep, savory flavors.
6. Gently incorporate the cornstarch mixture, stirring continuously until the sauce transforms into a glossy, thick consistency that clings perfectly to the beef.
7. Remove the skillet from heat and transfer the teriyaki beef to a serving platter.
8. Garnish with finely chopped green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for added texture and visual appeal.
9. Plate alongside steamed white rice or crisp vegetables to complete the meal.

Notes

• Select lean beef cuts like sirloin or flank steak for tender, quick-cooking results.
• Slice beef against the grain to ensure maximum tenderness and easier chewing.
• Marinate beef for 15-30 minutes before cooking to enhance flavor absorption and meat texture.
• Swap beef with chicken, tofu, or tempeh for versatile protein options catering to different dietary preferences.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 224 kcal
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 520 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg