Juiciest Beef Teriyaki Recipe for Weeknight Magic

The magic of homemade beef teriyaki can transform even a mundane weeknight dinner into something special.

Savory aromas will quickly fill your kitchen with mouthwatering anticipation.

Tender strips of beef marinate in a delightful blend of sweet and tangy sauce.

Japanese-inspired flavors dance across your taste buds with each delectable bite.

Simple ingredients come together effortlessly in this quick and satisfying meal.

Minimal prep work means you can enjoy restaurant-quality cuisine without complicated techniques.

Let’s make dinner an adventure that surprises and delights you.

Why Beef Teriyaki Gets So Much Love

• Perfect for busy weeknights, this beef teriyaki delivers restaurant-quality flavor in just 20 minutes without complicated techniques.
• Swap beef for chicken or tofu, adjust spice levels, and add extra vegetables to create a personalized meal that matches your taste preferences.
• Minimal ingredients and simple cooking steps mean you can whip up a delicious, restaurant-style dish faster than ordering takeout, saving time and money.
• Kids and adults alike will love the sweet-savory sauce, tender meat, and classic Asian-inspired flavors that make this recipe a guaranteed dinner win.

What You Need for Beef Teriyaki

• Beef: Tender meat that provides the main protein, best with sirloin or flank steak cuts for optimal texture and flavor.
• Cornstarch: Creates a protective coating for the beef, helps achieve a crispy exterior and thickens sauce.

• Soy Sauce, Water: Form the liquid base of teriyaki sauce, providing depth and saltiness.
• Brown Sugar, Honey: Natural sweeteners that balance the salty soy sauce and create glossy sauce coating.
• Mirin: Traditional Japanese rice wine that adds complex sweetness and depth.

• Garlic, Ginger: Aromatic ingredients that provide classic Asian cuisine signature taste and warmth.
• Sesame Oil: Adds nutty, rich undertone to the sauce, authentic Asian cooking flavor.
• Vegetable Oil: Neutral cooking oil for stir-frying beef at high temperature.

• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Fresh, crunchy topping that adds visual appeal and light, nutty crunch.
• Rice or Noodles: Traditional base for serving teriyaki, absorbs sauce and completes the meal.

How to Get Beef Teriyaki Just Right

Step 1: Tenderize the Beef

• Slice beef into thin strips
• Sprinkle cornstarch over beef
• Drizzle soy sauce onto meat
• Gently massage marinade into beef
• Let beef rest and absorb flavors

Step 2: Craft Flavor-Packed Sauce

• Whisk together
• Soy sauce
• Water
• Brown sugar
• Honey
• Mirin
• Sesame oil
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger

Step 3: Sear Beef to Perfection

• Heat skillet with vegetable oil
• Spread beef in single layer
• Cook until edges turn golden brown
• Flip and cook opposite side
• Remove beef from pan

Step 4: Transform Sauce

• Pour sauce mixture into hot skillet
• Stir continuously
• Allow sauce to bubble gently
• Add cornstarch slurry
• Watch sauce thicken beautifully

Step 5: Final Flavor Fusion

• Return beef to skillet
• Coat beef thoroughly with sauce
• Simmer until beef is fully cooked
• Sprinkle with chopped green onions
• Dust with sesame seeds
• Serve over steamed rice or noodles

Pointers for Perfecting Beef Teriyaki

• Maximize Meat Tenderness: Toss beef with cornstarch before cooking to create a protective layer that locks in moisture and prevents tough, chewy texture.
• Quick Sauce Thickening: Use cornstarch slurry to rapidly thicken teriyaki sauce, ensuring a glossy, restaurant-quality consistency without lumps.
• Prevent Overcooking: Remove beef from skillet before fully cooked, then return and finish cooking in sauce to maintain juicy, tender meat texture.
• Flavor Boosting Hack: Let marinated beef sit for 5-10 minutes to allow soy sauce and cornstarch to penetrate meat, enhancing overall taste and tenderness.
• Customize Your Dish: Swap beef with chicken, tofu, or vegetables for a versatile teriyaki recipe that suits different dietary preferences and tastes.

Store and Reheat Beef Teriyaki the Right Way

• Store leftover beef teriyaki in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• Warm beef teriyaki over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Add a splash of water or extra sauce to maintain moisture and prevent dryness.
• Place beef teriyaki in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.
• Freeze beef teriyaki in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve texture and flavor.

Pairing Ideas for Beef Teriyaki

• Select a chilled junmai or ginjo sake to complement the sweet and savory teriyaki flavors, cutting through the richness of the beef with its clean, refreshing profile.
• Create a fragrant bed of jasmine rice studded with toasted almonds and green peas, which absorbs the teriyaki sauce beautifully and adds textural contrast.
• Prepare a quick cucumber salad with rice vinegar, sesame seeds, and a touch of sugar to provide a tangy, cool counterpoint to the warm, glossy beef dish.
• Lightly steam baby bok choy with a drizzle of sesame oil and sprinkle of sea salt, offering a light, nutritious green vegetable that balances the meat's intensity.

Creative Versions of Beef Teriyaki

• Vegetarian Teriyaki: Replace beef with firm tofu, tempeh, or seitan. Press and cube plant-based protein, then follow the same cooking method for a meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure cornstarch is certified gluten-free. Verify all sauce ingredients are gluten-free for sensitive diets.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Swap rice with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles. Reduce brown sugar and honey, using monk fruit sweetener as a lower-carb alternative.
• Spicy Teriyaki Kick: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to the teriyaki mixture. Incorporate sliced jalapeños during the beef cooking process for extra heat.

Common Questions About Beef Teriyaki

• What does teriyaki mean in Japanese cooking?

Teriyaki is a traditional Japanese cooking technique where foods are broiled or grilled with a glaze of soy sauce, mirin, and sugar, creating a shiny, sweet-savory coating.

• Why do we use cornstarch when preparing beef?

Cornstarch helps tenderize the meat, creates a protective coating that prevents moisture loss, and helps thicken the sauce while giving the beef a smooth, silky texture.

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

Absolutely! This teriyaki sauce works perfectly with chicken, pork, or even tofu as alternative protein options that will absorb the delicious flavors equally well.

• Is mirin necessary for the sauce?

While mirin adds authentic Japanese flavor, you can substitute it with rice wine or a mix of white wine and a little sugar if mirin isn’t available in your pantry.

Easy Beef Teriyaki Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savor the delectable Japanese-inspired easy beef teriyaki, a sizzling symphony of sweet and umami flavors. Tender meat glazed with rich sauce promises a culinary journey that delights your senses and transports you to the heart of Tokyo’s street food scene.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Protein:

• 1 pound (500 g) beef sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain

Sauce Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
• ⅓ cup water
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons mirin (or rice vinegar)
• 1 tablespoon honey (or additional sugar)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Cooking and Garnish Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 2 green onions, sliced

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Instructions

1. Tenderize sliced beef by coating with cornstarch and soy sauce, allowing the mixture to marinate for 5-10 minutes to enhance flavor absorption and texture.
2. Create a vibrant teriyaki sauce by whisking together soy sauce, water, brown sugar, honey, mirin, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a separate bowl, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
3. Preheat a large skillet or wok with vegetable oil over medium-high heat, creating a sizzling cooking surface for rapid meat searing.
4. Swiftly stir-fry the marinated beef for 2-3 minutes, aiming for a golden-brown exterior while maintaining a slightly rare interior. Transfer the partially cooked meat to a temporary plate.
5. Deglaze the same skillet by pouring in the prepared teriyaki sauce, allowing it to simmer and develop deeper flavors.
6. Introduce a cornstarch slurry to the simmering sauce, stirring continuously to achieve a glossy, thickened consistency that clings perfectly to the meat.
7. Reintroduce the seared beef to the enriched sauce, gently tossing to ensure complete coating and finishing the cooking process for 2-3 minutes.
8. Plate the teriyaki beef over steamed rice or tender noodles, garnishing with finely chopped green onions and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for added texture and visual appeal.

Notes

• Enhance meat tenderness by slicing beef against the grain, ensuring a melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes every bite incredibly soft.
• Prevent sauce from becoming too thick by gradually adding cornstarch slurry and stirring constantly, which helps maintain a silky, glossy consistency.
• Swap beef with chicken, tofu, or tempeh for a versatile dish that accommodates different dietary preferences and protein needs.
• Reduce sodium content by using low-sodium soy sauce and adjusting sugar levels, making this recipe more heart-friendly without compromising flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg