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Beef Yakiniku Recipe

4.6 from 125 reviews

Beef Yakiniku is a flavorful Japanese-inspired dish featuring thinly sliced flank or skirt steak marinated in a savory blend of soy sauce, gochujang, mirin, ginger, garlic, and oils. The beef is seared in a hot wok until caramelized and slightly crispy, served with sesame seeds, boiled rice, and fresh vegetables like cucumber and tomato for a deliciously balanced meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Steak

  • 750 g (1.65 lbs) flank or skirt steak, very thinly sliced against the grain

Marinade

  • 80 ml (⅓ cup) low-sodium light soy sauce
  • ½ tbsp gochujang (Korean red chili paste)
  • 1 tbsp mirin
  • 2 tsp minced ginger
  • ½ tsp garlic powder or 1 tsp garlic paste
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil (e.g., avocado or rapeseed)
  • 4 tbsp light brown sugar

To Serve

  • Sesame seeds
  • Boiled rice
  • Chopped cucumber and tomato

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, gochujang, mirin, minced ginger, garlic powder or paste, sesame oil, neutral oil, and light brown sugar until fully combined.
  2. Marinate the steak: Add the very thinly sliced beef into the marinade bowl. Toss thoroughly to coat all pieces evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 2 hours to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
  3. Preheat the pan: While the steak marinates, warm a serving bowl in the oven to keep the cooked beef warm. Heat a wok over very high heat until it starts to smoke, ensuring it is hot enough for quick searing.
  4. Cook the steak: Working in two batches to avoid overcrowding, add half of the marinated beef to the hot wok and spread it out in a single layer. Let the beef sear undisturbed for about 3 minutes to develop caramelization. Then stir and continue cooking for another 2 to 3 minutes until the beef is browned and slightly crispy. Transfer the cooked beef to the warm serving bowl, and repeat with the remaining beef.
  5. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the cooked beef with sesame seeds. Serve immediately alongside boiled rice, and add chopped cucumber and tomato on the side for a fresh, vibrant contrast.

Notes

  • Thinly slicing the steak against the grain ensures tenderness and quick cooking.
  • Allowing the beef to sear undisturbed helps create a delicious caramelized crust.
  • Marinating the beef for at least 2 hours enhances flavor but can be extended overnight for deeper taste.
  • Use a very hot wok or skillet for proper searing to avoid steaming the meat.
  • Serve with fresh vegetables to balance the richness of the beef.

Keywords: Beef Yakiniku, Japanese beef recipe, marinated steak, gochujang beef, quick seared beef, Asian cuisine, wok cooking