Mouthwatering Beef Teriyaki Recipe

Juicy Beef Teriyaki Recipe: Your New Favorite Dinner Win

Savory aromas of beef teriyaki waft through the kitchen, promising a delectable meal that tantalizes taste buds.

This classic Japanese-inspired dish blends rich, sweet, and umami flavors in every tender bite.

Succulent strips of beef marinate in a glossy teriyaki sauce that caramelizes beautifully when cooked.

The recipe brings restaurant-quality magic right to your home cooking with simple ingredients and straightforward techniques.

Each slice of meat glistens with a perfect balance of soy, mirin, and subtle sweetness.

Home cooks can easily master this crowd-pleasing dinner that transforms an ordinary evening into a culinary celebration.

Dig into this irresistible beef teriyaki and watch everyone at the table ask for seconds.

Cooking Tools That Support Great Beef Teriyaki

  • Large skillet or wok: Essential for stir-frying beef and creating the perfect teriyaki sauce.
  • Cutting board: Needed for slicing beef and chopping green onions.
  • Sharp knife: Crucial for precisely cutting beef into thin slices.
  • Mixing bowls: Two small bowls required for preparing beef marinade and teriyaki sauce.
  • Measuring spoons and cups: Help accurately measure sauce ingredients.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring and tossing beef while cooking.
  • Small whisk: Helps blend teriyaki sauce ingredients smoothly.

Simple Steps to Make Beef Teriyaki at Home

  • Marinate the Beef

Slice beef into thin strips and bathe them in a quick mixture of soy sauce to infuse rich flavor. Let the meat soak up the deliciousness for a few minutes while prepping other ingredients.

  • Fire Up the Skillet

Crank the heat on your cooking surface and splash in a bit of oil. When it’s sizzling hot, toss in the beef and dance it around quickly until edges turn golden brown. Scoop out the meat and keep it waiting.

  • Create the Magic Sauce

Pour teriyaki ingredients into the same pan. Watch the liquid bubble and swirl, stirring until it transforms into a glossy, thick coating that clings to every morsel.

  • Bring It All Together

Slide the beef back into the pan and tumble it through the glistening sauce. Let everything mingle and heat through until the meat looks perfectly cooked and the sauce hugs each piece.

  • Serve with Flair

Slide your teriyaki masterpiece onto a bed of fluffy rice. Sprinkle some green onions and sesame seeds on top for that restaurant-quality finish. Dinner is served!

Ways to Add a Punch to Beef Teriyaki Flavor

  • Cut beef against the grain into thin, even slices for maximum tenderness and quick cooking. Partially freeze the meat for 15-20 minutes to make slicing easier and more precise.
  • For a richer teriyaki flavor, let the sauce simmer slightly longer to develop deeper caramelization and intensify the sweet-savory notes. Consider adding a splash of rice vinegar for extra complexity.
  • Easily substitute beef with chicken, tofu, or shrimp to create versatile meal variations. Each protein will absorb the teriyaki sauce differently, offering unique taste experiences.
  • Replace rice with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a lower-carbohydrate version. This adaptation makes the dish suitable for keto and low-carb dietary preferences without sacrificing flavor.
  • Prepare the teriyaki beef in advance and store in refrigerated containers for up to 3-4 days. The flavors actually improve overnight, making it a perfect make-ahead meal for busy weeknights.

Presenting Beef Teriyaki in Style

  • Cozy Family Dinner Night: Serve the teriyaki beef over steamed white rice with a side of crispy roasted broccoli for a complete and satisfying meal that everyone will love.
  • Meal Prep Champion: Pack the beef teriyaki in meal prep containers with brown rice and quick-pickled cucumber slices for a delicious lunch that stays fresh and tasty throughout the week.
  • Japanese-Inspired Feast: Create a restaurant-style spread by adding some edamame, miso soup, and a small cucumber salad alongside the beef teriyaki to elevate your dining experience with authentic flavors and textures.
  • Quick Weeknight Noodle Bowl: Toss the teriyaki beef over hot udon or soba noodles, sprinkle extra sesame seeds, and add a drizzle of sriracha for a quick and exciting dinner that comes together in minutes.

Storing and Reheating Beef Teriyaki Smartly

  • Whip up double the recipe and store extra portions in airtight containers for quick weeknight meals that save time and effort.
  • Keep leftover beef teriyaki in sealed containers for 3-4 days, ensuring maximum flavor and food safety by storing separately from rice or noodles.
  • Package cooled beef teriyaki in freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags, lasting up to 2 months when properly sealed – perfect for meal prep enthusiasts.
  • Warm refrigerated or thawed teriyaki beef gently in a skillet with a splash of water or additional sauce to restore moisture and prevent drying out, bringing back the original delicious taste and texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 4

What You Need for Rich Beef Teriyaki Flavor

For Beef Preparation:
  • Beef Sirloin: Tender cut perfect for quick stir-frying with great marbling for juicy results.
  • Cornstarch: Creates a protective coating that helps seal in beef's moisture and adds slight crispiness.
  • Soy Sauce: Provides deep umami flavor and helps tenderize the meat during marinating.
For Sauce Components:
  • Soy Sauce, Water: Foundational liquid base creating balanced teriyaki flavor profile.
  • Brown Sugar, Honey: Natural sweeteners that caramelize and add gorgeous glossy finish.
  • Mirin: Traditional Japanese sweet rice wine bringing delicate complexity to sauce.
  • Sesame Oil: Adds nutty, aromatic undertone that elevates entire dish's flavor.
  • Garlic, Ginger: Powerful aromatics delivering sharp, zesty punch to sauce.
For Cooking and Finishing:
  • Vegetable Oil: High smoke point oil perfect for even, quick beef searing.
  • Green Onions: Fresh garnish adding bright color and mild onion crispness.
  • Sesame Seeds: Toasted garnish providing subtle nutty crunch and visual appeal.
  • Cornstarch Slurry: Thickening agent ensuring sauce reaches perfect glossy consistency.
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Mouthwatering Beef Teriyaki Recipe

Mouthwatering Beef Teriyaki Recipe


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4.8 from 18 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Delicious beef teriyaki promises a culinary journey through Japanese flavors, blending savory soy sauce with tender marinated meat. Succulent strips of beef glazed with a glossy teriyaki sauce invite home cooks to savor a quick and delightful meal that brings restaurant-quality taste to dinner tables.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 500 g (1 lb) beef sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
  • ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • ⅓ cup water
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsps mirin (or rice vinegar)
  • 1 tbsp honey (or additional sugar)
  • 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsps water (for thickening)
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 2 green onions, sliced

Instructions

  1. Marinade Prep: Thoroughly coat beef slices with cornstarch and soy sauce, allowing flavors to penetrate for 5-10 minutes while assembling sauce components.
  2. Sauce Creation: Whisk together soy sauce, water, brown sugar, honey, mirin, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a mixing vessel until smooth and well-integrated.
  3. Protein Searing: Ignite a large skillet or wok over medium-high flame, introducing vegetable oil. Swiftly stir-fry beef until exterior develops a rich, caramelized golden-brown exterior without overcooking internal texture. Transfer protein to a temporary holding plate.
  4. Sauce Transformation: Cascade teriyaki sauce mixture into the identical skillet, allowing liquid to reach a gentle simmer. Incorporate cornstarch slurry, stirring consistently until sauce adopts a luxurious, glossy consistency that clings elegantly to ingredients.
  5. Final Fusion: Reintroduce seared beef into the sauce, gently tumbling to ensure comprehensive coating. Continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes, guaranteeing complete protein doneness and sauce reduction. Elegantly garnish with finely sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Present piping hot atop steamed rice or delicate noodles.

Notes

  • Let beef sit in cornstarch and soy sauce mixture for exactly 5-10 minutes to enhance tenderness and create a protective coating that prevents overcooking.
  • Use medium-high heat to quickly sear beef without burning, ensuring a caramelized exterior while maintaining juicy interior.
  • Cook beef in batches if needed to maintain high temperature and achieve proper browning, preventing steaming instead of stir-frying.
  • Mix cornstarch with cold water before adding to sauce to prevent lumps and create smooth, glossy teriyaki coating that clings perfectly to beef.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
William Hawkins

William Hawkins

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

  • Modern American and Southern Cuisine
  • Farm-to-Table Practices
  • Restaurant Concept Development
  • Culinary Education and Mentorship​

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY

  • Degree: Associate of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.

William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary. 

With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist. 

When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.

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