Sesame-Garlic Beef Teriyaki
Lean flank steak seared to perfection in a sweet-savory sesame-garlic teriyaki sauce, served with a side of steamed vegetables. This asian ready in about 30 minutes pairs flank steak, soy sauce, mirin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 440 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.25 pounds flank steak
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons mirin
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- for serving cooked brown rice
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons mirin, 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Add 1.25 pounds thinly sliced flank steak and toss to coat; marinate for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated beef and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until browned but still slightly pink inside.
- Step 3: Pour marinade into skillet and bring to a simmer. Add 1 tablespoon sesame seeds and cook for 2 minutes, stirring, until sauce thickens.
- Step 4: Stir in cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water) and cook for 1 minute until sauce coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and serve immediately over cooked brown rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sesame-Garlic Beef Teriyaki take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Sesame-Garlic Beef Teriyaki?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep flank steak from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sesame-Garlic Beef Teriyaki?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Sesame-Garlic Beef Teriyaki for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Sesame-Garlic Beef Teriyaki?
Asian asian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect teriyaki sauce, tender beef. Will make again.
- ★★★★★
Loved the balance of sesame and garlic! My family devoured it.
- ★★★★★
Amazing recipe! The garlic flavor really shines without being overpowering.








