Sesame beef is a flavorful, savory dish that has become a favorite in many Chinese-American restaurants. The crispy beef is coated in a sweet and savory sauce that’s both rich and satisfying. The combination of tender beef, a hint of sweetness, and the nutty crunch of sesame seeds makes this dish an irresistible treat.
The key to sesame beef is the crispy texture. The beef is coated with cornstarch, which helps it achieve a crunchy exterior when fried. This creates a perfect contrast to the tender, juicy interior of the beef, making each bite a delightful experience. The crispy beef is then tossed in a flavorful sauce made with soy sauce, hoisin sauce, garlic, ginger, and a touch of sugar. The sauce is rich, slightly sweet, and savory, with a depth of flavor that perfectly complements the beef.
To finish, toasted sesame seeds are sprinkled over the dish, adding an extra layer of crunch and a subtle nuttiness. The sesame seeds not only enhance the texture but also bring a unique flavor that pairs beautifully with the savory beef and sweet sauce. A sprinkle of green onions or red pepper flakes can also be added for a touch of freshness or heat, making the dish even more dynamic.
This beef is incredibly versatile and can be served with a variety of sides. It’s often paired with steamed rice, which soaks up the delicious sauce, or alongside sautéed vegetables like broccoli, snow peas, or bell peppers. The balance of flavors in beef makes it a great dish for both casual meals and special occasions.
Whether you’re craving a comforting weeknight dinner or want to impress guests with something flavorful and satisfying, sesame beef is a perfect choice. The crispy beef, rich sauce, and toasted sesame seeds come together to create a dish that’s both indulgent and delicious, making it a go-to favorite in many households.
Ingredients
- 1 pound beef flank steak sliced thinly
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger grated
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch optional, for thickening
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- 2 pieces green onions sliced
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. Mix well.
- Add the sliced beef to the marinade and let it sit for at least 10 minutes.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated beef and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until browned.
- If using, mix cornstarch with a bit of water to make a slurry and add to the skillet to thicken the sauce.
- Stir in toasted sesame seeds and remove from heat.
- Garnish with sliced green onions before serving. Serve with pasta.
Nutrition
Yall, I added bell peppers and it was lit 😍🔥 Definitely making again!
I don’t think soy sauce with brown sugar is a good idea… Seems off to me.
This recipe is super easy and tastes amazing! My family loved it!
Didn’t have sesame oil, used olive oil? 😬 Tasted okay but not the same.
This was okay, but too sweet for my taste. Might try less sugar next time.
I replaced beef with chicken and it was bomb! Just as good.
I used chicken instead of beef and it was still great! Just a suggestion for chicken lovers.
Tasted good, but is it really necessary to add sugar? I think it’s too sweet.
Sugar is a must for that balance! But if you don’t like sweet, just don’t add as much! No big deal.
I understand your concern! You can definitely reduce the sugar or even skip it. The soy sauce should give it enough flavor! 👍
The sauce came out a little too sweet for me—probably the brown sugar. I’d cut it in half next time.
Yeah, cutting the brown sugar makes sense—2 tbsp can definitely push it sweet. I usually start with 1 tbsp and adjust from there.
Not bad, but I think it could use more soy sauce. It was a bit bland for my taste.
I totally agree! A little more soy sauce would definitely enhance the flavor. I added an extra tablespoon and it was perfect for me!
Tried this and it was ok but I think it needed more seasoning. Salt? The flavor was kinda flat.
Why would you serve this with pasta? It’s beef! Should go with rice.
I was skeptical about the brown sugar, but it added a unique sweetness. Would recommend!
I’m glad you liked the brown sugar! It really does bring a nice depth to the dish. 👍
Absolutely loved this recipe! Turned out so delicious and easy to make. Will make again!
I tried it too! Came out great! Best recipe for a quick dinner.
Looks good, but is beef healthy? I don’t know if it’s worth the calories…
I tried it, but my beef was tough. Maybe I overcooked it?
I don’t know what went wrong but mine came out really tough. Maybe I overcooked the beef?
I don’t think it was just you. My friend said hers was chewy too. Maybe check the temp or cut the beef differently?
Overcooking can definitely make the beef tough! Try cooking it for a shorter time next time. I usually only do 2-3 mins on high heat. Good luck!
This sesame beef is superb! My family devoured it! Next time, I’ll try adding peppers for extra crunch.
I forgot to toast the sesame seeds and honestly it still tasted good, but I bet it would’ve been even better with toasting. Easy recipe though.
Totally agree—sesame seeds go from “nice” to “wow” once toasted. Glad it still worked for you though!
I always toast mine, but you’re right… the marinade smells so good I think it carries the dish even if you skip that step. Easy indeed.
I don’t know about adding pasta to this. It seems odd. Shouldn’t it be rice instead?
I made this but forgot the sesame oil. It was alright but I think it could’ve been better.
Sounds fancy but I think sesame oil is too strong. I might try it with olive oil next time.
Yummy 😋
I didn’t have sesame oil, so I used olive oil. Still turned out nice!
Easy to make! I let my kids help, they loved stirring it!
Nah, didn’t like it. The beef was tough and the flavor just wasn’t what I was expecting.
Not great. Meat was tough. Maybe I cooked it too long?
This recipe is fine I guess, but I don’t get why you would serve it with pasta. Beef should be with rice! 🤷♂️
Yum! Just yum! I love sesame seeds. Next time I’m gonna add some broccoli!
Wow, so simple but tastes like a restaurant meal! 10/10 would recommend.
I’m not much of a cook, but this was straight up a disaster. I tried too hard.
Cooking can be tough at first! Maybe you missed a step? The marinade is key for flavor. Don’t give up!
My kids loved it! Thought they wouldn’t eat beef but they cleared their plates!
3-4 minutes is scary fast—my beef was still tender but not quite as browned as I wanted. Maybe my pan wasn’t hot enough.
Yeah, 3–4 minutes is pretty quick! If the beef wasn’t browning as much, I’d try cranking the heat to high (and making sure the pan is fully preheated). Also don’t overcrowd the skillet—if there’s too much meat, it steams instead of browns.
Simple and delicious! I added broccoli and it was perfect. Will definitely make again!
Not sure if broccoli goes with beef and pasta, but everyone has their tastes. I prefer it without anything extra.
I’m glad you liked it! Adding broccoli sounds like a great idea, I’ll have to try that next time.
I made this but forgot the sesame oil. 😂 It turned out fine anyway! Maybe try it with hickory smoke oil?
Glad it turned out! Hickory smoke oil sounds interesting, but might change the flavor a lot. 🤔
DISASTER! My beef was tough and chewy. I followed the instructions too. 😡
I’m sorry to hear that! Maybe try a different cut of meat next time? Flank steak can be tough if not sliced against the grain.
Lol, maybe you overcooked it? Beef shouldn’t be chewy if done right! 😂
Absolutely delicious! The flavors are on point!
yum! 🍽️
10 minutes marinating feels short but it worked with thin flank steak. Next time I’ll do longer for deeper flavor. Also, cornstarch thickened it nicely.
I think 10 minutes is kinda meh, like you didn’t marinate long enough. I’d do at least an hour, unless it was super thin. Also, does it really need sesame oil if there’s soy sauce? Mine tasted a bit too sweet with the brown sugar.
Agree—10 minutes doesn’t sound like much, but for thin flank it totally makes sense. The cornstarch touch is clutch too.
I used chicken instead of beef (don’t judge) and it turned out okay, but the texture was different. Still, the marinade is legit.
Chicken instead of beef? Honestly I won’t judge 😄. I bet it cooked up faster so the texture would be totally different. Glad the marinade still tasted legit!
Not gonna lie, chicken changes everything… 10 min might not be enough to tenderize? Also, it says serve with pasta—my brain can’t accept that lol. But yeah marinade sounds good.
This sesame beef is a game changer! I made it last night and it was so delicious. My family loved it!
beef + sesame = yum! 😋
Not sure about serving it with pasta—sounds like a fusion thing. I ate it with rice and it was way better.
I can totally see why—pasta can feel a bit off with the sesame-soy vibe. Rice makes way more sense. Glad it worked out for you!
Disappointed. My sauce didn’t thicken, even with cornstarch. What did I do wrong? Anyone else have this issue?
My husband said he doesn’t like ‘asian’ food, but he ate 3 servings!! 🤫 I call that a win!
I wonder if he actually likes it or just pretended to for you? 🤔
Haha, that’s hilarious! Sometimes they just need a little convincing, right? 😂
Is it really that easy? I’m worried about cooking beef, mine always turns out weird. 😟
This sesame beef was really delicious! I made it for my family and they loved it!
Pretty good, but I think it needs more garlic. I added extra and it was much better!
I LOVE sesame beef!!! This is my go-to recipe now. Thank you so much, it’s simple and quick!
Sesame oil is the best! I add it to everything now.
Beef don’t usually taste like this! Not a fan but my kids liked it.
Sooo easy! I can’t cook and even I made this. Thank you!
It’s okay. I like more spice in my dishes. Needs hot sauce.
Absolutely delicious! My family loved it. Will make again!
I don’t understand why you would serve beef with pasta… Isn’t it supposed to be rice?
What a great recipe! I used chicken instead of beef and still came out great!
That’s awesome! Chicken is a great substitute! Can’t wait to try it myself.
This recipe is fine but too many steps for me. Also, sesame oil is expensive where I live 😅
Could be me, but I didn’t get a thick sauce even with the slurry. I think I added too much water or didn’t stir enough.
Made this for dinner last night—super flavorful! The garlic/ginger combo is doing the heavy lifting, and the sesame oil makes it taste restaurant-level.