Description
This Savory Sesame Beef recipe is a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner that combines tender marinated beef flank steak with a rich sesame sauce, ready in just 20 minutes. With a perfect balance of savory, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors, this dish is ideal served over rice or noodles for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Marinade
- 1 pound Beef flank steak, thinly sliced (can be substituted with skirt steak)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (sea salt preferred)
- 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch (potato starch can be used)
- 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
Sauce
- 1 cup Chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1/4 cup Soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- 1 tablespoon Rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 2 tablespoons Sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon Sugar (or honey)
- 2 cloves Garlic, freshly minced
For Cooking & Garnish
- 2 tablespoons Peanut oil (or vegetable oil)
- 1 tablespoon Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Marinate the beef: In a medium bowl, combine the thinly sliced beef with Shaoxing wine, salt, black pepper, and cornstarch. Mix well and let it rest for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse and the beef to tenderize.
- Prepare the sauce: In another bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and minced garlic until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
- Cook the beef: Heat peanut oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange the marinated beef in a single layer in the skillet and cook for approximately 1 minute on each side until it’s golden brown and slightly crisp on the edges. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Thicken the sauce: Pour the prepared sauce mixture into the hot skillet. Stir continuously and cook for about 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- Combine beef and sauce: Return the seared beef back into the skillet. Toss thoroughly to coat all pieces evenly with the thickened sesame sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the coated beef. Serve the savory sesame beef hot over fluffy rice, noodles, or alongside your preferred side dishes for a delicious and complete meal.
Notes
- Marinating the beef for at least 15 minutes enhances tenderness and flavor.
- Use freshly ground black pepper for a more aromatic and flavorful dish.
- Low-sodium soy sauce is recommended to control salt levels.
- Substitute honey for sugar for a more natural sweetness.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture and flavor.
- Flank steak can be substituted with skirt steak for a similar texture.
- Vegetable broth can be used instead of chicken broth for a lighter or vegetarian option.
