This Oriental Beef with Sesame recipe has quickly become a go-to in my kitchen. It’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you want something flavorful and satisfying, but don’t have a ton of time.
It’s also great for a casual get-together with friends.
What I really love is how the savory beef pairs with the slightly sweet and nutty sesame sauce. It’s a flavor combination that just works!
Recipe Overview: Oriental Beef with Sesame
This dish is all about tender strips of beef coated in a delicious, umami-rich sauce, sprinkled with sesame seeds.
It’s a quick stir-fry that delivers big on flavor without requiring a lot of complicated techniques or ingredients.
The sauce has a beautiful balance of salty, sweet, and savory notes. The sesame seeds add a delightful little crunch and a nutty aroma that makes the dish incredibly inviting.
You can easily serve this over rice, noodles, or even with some steamed vegetables for a lighter option. It’s really versatile and a crowd-pleaser, making it a fantastic addition to your recipe collection.
It’s also perfect for meal prepping, as the leftovers are just as tasty the next day!
Detailed Ingredients for Oriental Beef with Sesame
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:
- Beef: 1 pound, thinly sliced. I usually use flank steak or sirloin, but you can use any cut that’s good for stir-frying. Look for something with a good amount of marbling for extra flavor.
- Soy Sauce: 1/4 cup. This forms the base of our sauce and provides that essential salty, umami flavor. If you’re watching your sodium intake, you can use a low-sodium version.
- Honey: 2 tablespoons. This adds a touch of sweetness to balance the saltiness of the soy sauce. You could also use maple syrup or brown sugar as a substitute.
- Rice Vinegar: 1 tablespoon. This adds a little bit of tang and brightness to the sauce. If you don’t have rice vinegar, you can use apple cider vinegar or even a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Sesame Oil: 1 tablespoon. This adds a wonderful, nutty flavor that’s characteristic of Asian cuisine. Don’t skip this ingredient – it really makes a difference!
- Cornstarch: 1 tablespoon. This is our thickening agent, which will give the sauce a nice, glossy consistency.
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced. Fresh garlic is always best!
- Ginger: 1 teaspoon, minced. Fresh ginger adds a warm, spicy note.
- Vegetable Oil: 2 tablespoons. For stir-frying the beef. You can use any high-heat cooking oil, like canola or peanut oil.
- Sesame Seeds: 1 tablespoon. For garnish. These add a nice crunch and visual appeal. You can use toasted or regular sesame seeds.
- Green Onions: 2, thinly sliced. Also for garnish, adding a fresh, oniony flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Making the Oriental Beef
1. Prepare the Beef: If your beef isn’t already sliced, slice it thinly against the grain. This will help ensure it’s tender. Aim for strips that are about 1/4-inch thick.
2. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, cornstarch, minced garlic, and minced ginger. Make sure the cornstarch is fully dissolved to avoid any lumps in your sauce.
3. Cook the Beef: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the beef and stir-fry it until it’s browned on all sides. This should only take a few minutes. Don’t overcrowd the pan; if necessary, cook the beef in batches.
4. Add the Sauce: Pour the sauce over the cooked beef in the skillet. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens and coats the beef evenly. This will happen pretty quickly, usually within a minute or two. You’ll know it’s ready when the sauce is glossy and has a slightly sticky consistency.
5. Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the beef. Serve immediately over rice, noodles, or your choice of sides.
Variations & Tips for the best Oriental Beef with Sesame
- Spice it Up: If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha to the sauce.
- Add Vegetables: Feel free to toss in some stir-fried vegetables, like broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas, along with the beef.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the sauce and slice the beef ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through. You might want to add a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened too much.
- Serving suggestions: Serve over fluffy white rice, brown rice, or quinoa for a complete meal.
Key Details
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Total time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Equipment you’ll need: Large skillet or wok, small bowl, whisk.
Oriental Beef with Sesame
Ingredients
- 1 pound beef thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger minced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 green onions thinly sliced
Instructions
- If your beef isn't already sliced, slice it thinly against the grain. Aim for strips that are about 1/4-inch thick.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, cornstarch, minced garlic, and minced ginger. Make sure the cornstarch is fully dissolved to avoid any lumps in your sauce.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the beef and stir-fry it until it's browned on all sides. This should only take a few minutes. Don't overcrowd the pan; if necessary, cook the beef in batches.
- Pour the sauce over the cooked beef in the skillet. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens and coats the beef evenly. This will happen pretty quickly, usually within a minute or two. You'll know it's ready when the sauce is glossy and has a slightly sticky consistency.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the beef. Serve immediately over rice, noodles, or your choice of sides.