Description
Beef Yakiniku is a cozy Japanese grilled delight featuring tender, thinly sliced beef marinated in a savory-sweet sauce with classic Japanese flavors. Ready in minutes, it offers a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for serving with rice, grilled vegetables, or noodles, bringing restaurant-quality taste into your home kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef
- 1 lb thinly sliced beef (ribeye, sirloin, or short rib slices)
- 1 tsp sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
- 1–2 green onions, sliced (optional, for garnish)
Yakiniku Marinade / Sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp mirin (sweet rice wine)
- 1 tbsp sake (optional, for depth)
- 1 tbsp sugar or honey
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- ½ tsp chili flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Marinate the beef: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Add the thin beef slices and toss to coat thoroughly. Let the beef marinate for 15 to 30 minutes at room temperature, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor absorption.
- Cook the beef: Heat a grill pan, skillet, or tabletop grill over high heat until very hot. Arrange the beef slices in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding, and cook each side for 30 to 60 seconds until the meat is browned and just cooked through. Remove promptly to prevent overcooking.
- Serve: Arrange the grilled beef on a serving plate. Optionally, drizzle some extra yakiniku sauce over the top. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions for added texture and flavor. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- For a spicy kick, add chili paste or extra chili flakes to the marinade.
- To enhance sweetness and add fruity depth, include a splash of orange juice or grated apple in the marinade.
- For convenience, use store-bought yakiniku sauce and skip marinating for a quick weeknight meal.
- Marinate beef in advance to speed up cooking for meal prep and enjoy freshly grilled beef anytime.
- Great served with steamed rice, grilled vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, or a side of pickled vegetables or kimchi.
- Accompanying a small bowl of miso soup complements the meal perfectly for a well-rounded Japanese dining experience.
