Description
Sizzling teriyaki sesame beef skewers bring Japanese-inspired flavors to your grill with bold, caramelized perfection. Marinated tender beef chunks glazed in sweet-savory sauce and sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds promise a delicious backyard barbecue adventure you won’t forget.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pounds boneless beef sirloin roast, sliced 1 cm thick against the grain
- 2 tablespoons white sesame seeds, toasted
- 12 wooden (or bamboo) skewers, soaked in water for 1 hour
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
- ½ cup dark brown sugar (light brown can be used, but dark brown is preferred)
- ⅓ cup soy sauce (if using less-sodium, add ½ teaspoon sea salt)
- 2 tablespoons garlic (6 cloves), pressed
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons mirin, or 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
Optional Tenderizing Ingredient:
- ½ cup pineapple juice or fresh crushed pineapples (optional for tenderizing lean meats like ‘eye of round’ or ‘chuck’)
Instructions
- Immerse wooden skewers in cold water for an hour to prevent rapid charring during grilling.
- Carefully toast sesame seeds in a dry skillet until they turn golden and release a nutty aroma. Allow seeds to cool completely, then grind using a mortar and pestle or by crushing in a sealed plastic bag.
- Prepare the beef by patting it dry and removing any visible connective tissue. Slice the meat against the grain into uniform, thin strips approximately 2 x 3 inches with consistent thickness.
- Create a complex marinade by whisking together brown sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, sesame oil, mirin, ground toasted sesame seeds, hoisin sauce, and pineapple juice. Thoroughly coat the beef slices in the marinade, ensuring complete coverage.
- Refrigerate the marinated beef for one hour, allowing the flavors to penetrate deeply into the meat.
- Thread approximately 6 beef strips onto each skewer, leaving a small section at the end for easy handling. Arrange the prepared skewers on a foil-lined tray.
- Transfer the remaining marinade to a saucepan and reduce over medium heat until it becomes a thick, glossy sauce for basting.
- Grill the skewers over medium-high heat, cooking for 3-4 minutes per side. Brush with reduced marinade and continue grilling until the meat develops a sticky, slightly charred exterior.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately, garnishing with additional toasted sesame seeds if desired. Pair with your favorite side dish or enjoy as a standalone appetizer.
Notes
- Skewer Soaking Prevents Burning: Wooden skewers need a water bath for one hour before grilling to stop them from catching fire quickly during cooking.
- Sesame Seed Preparation Matters: Toasting sesame seeds enhances their nutty flavor and can be done on stovetop or with pre-toasted options, then ground for maximum flavor infusion.
- Meat Cutting Technique is Crucial: Slice beef against the grain into thin, even pieces around 2×3 inches to ensure tender, easy-to-eat skewers that cook uniformly.
- Marinade Enhances Flavor Depth: Let beef soak in the teriyaki mixture for one hour to allow seasonings to penetrate deeply, creating more intense and complex taste profiles.
- Sauce Reduction Adds Intensity: Reserve leftover marinade, boil it down until thickened, and use as a glaze during grilling to intensify flavors and create delicious caramelization.
- Grilling Precision Ensures Perfection: Cook skewers at medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes per side, watching for sticky sauce and slight charring to maximize flavor and achieve optimal meat doneness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 66 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg