Beef Yakiniku Japanese Barbecue (Printable)

Tender beef slices marinated and grilled with vegetables for an authentic Japanese barbecue experience ready in 25 minutes.

# What's Needed:

→ Beef

01 - 1.1 pounds ribeye or sirloin beef, thinly sliced

→ Marinade

02 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce
03 - 2 tablespoons mirin
04 - 1 tablespoon sake
05 - 1 tablespoon sugar
06 - 1.5 tablespoons sesame oil
07 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
09 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
10 - 1 green onion, finely sliced

→ Vegetables & Accompaniments

11 - 1 small onion, sliced
12 - 1 bell pepper, sliced
13 - 3.5 ounces shiitake mushrooms, sliced
14 - 1 zucchini, sliced
15 - Cooked white rice, for serving

# How to Make It:

01 - Whisk together soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, toasted sesame seeds, and sliced green onion in a mixing bowl until sugar dissolves completely.
02 - Add thinly sliced beef to the marinade, tossing thoroughly to coat each piece. Let marinate at room temperature for 10 minutes, or refrigerate up to 1 hour for deeper flavor penetration.
03 - Preheat grill pan or tabletop grill over high heat until smoking hot. Lightly oil the surface if necessary to prevent sticking.
04 - Cook beef slices for 1 to 2 minutes per side until just cooked through and edges develop a slight caramelized char. Avoid overcooking to maintain tenderness.
05 - Grill sliced onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, and zucchini alongside the beef until tender-crisp with charred edges, 3 to 4 minutes total.
06 - Arrange grilled beef and vegetables on serving plates. Accompany generously with steamed white rice. Serve immediately while hot.

# Tips for Success:

01 -
  • The marinade comes together in minutes but tastes like it simmered for hours
  • Everyone gets to be the chef at the table, cooking their own perfect bites
  • Leftovers (if you somehow have any) make incredible rice bowl toppings
02 -
  • Do not overcrowd the grill or the meat will steam instead of sear, work in batches if necessary
  • The beef cooks in under a minute per side, have everything else ready before you start grilling
  • Reserve a little extra marinade (before adding raw meat) to brush onto the vegetables as they cook
03 -
  • Ask the butcher at your grocery store to slice the beef paper thin, they usually have a machine that does it perfectly
  • If freezing the meat briefly to slice it yourself, wrap it in parchment first for easier cleanup
  • A cast iron skillet works beautifully if you do not have access to a grill pan

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