Teriyaki Ground Beef is savory ground beef simmered in a glossy, sweet and salty homemade teriyaki sauce of soy sauce, brown sugar, honey and ginger, then spooned over steaming rice with sesame seeds and green onions. It is a takeout-style dinner on the table in 20 minutes, so it is perfect for busy weeknights.
How to make teriyaki ground beef: Brown ground beef with onion and garlic in sesame oil and drain it. Whisk soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar and ground ginger, pour it over the beef and simmer about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the meat. Serve over rice.
Why You’ll Love It
- 20 minutes: five minutes of prep and one skillet.
- Homemade sauce: pantry staples, no bottle needed.
- Budget-friendly: one pound of ground beef feeds four over rice.
- Great for meal prep: it reheats well for lunches.
Ingredient Notes
Ground beef: One pound. Any blend works; with fattier beef, drain well before the sauce goes in. Ground turkey, chicken or pork can stand in.
Sesame oil: Two teaspoons for browning. It adds a toasty, nutty flavor. Vegetable or canola oil works in a pinch.
Onion and garlic: A small diced onion cooks down with the beef, and the garlic goes in at the end of browning.
Soy sauce, brown sugar and honey: The salty-sweet heart of the sauce. I use low-sodium soy sauce so I can taste and adjust.
Rice vinegar and ginger: Two teaspoons of rice vinegar add a little brightness, and half a teaspoon of ground ginger gives the warm teriyaki flavor.
For serving: Toasted sesame seeds, sliced green onions and cooked rice.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- Sesame seeds, for serving
- Green onions, sliced, for serving
How to Make Teriyaki Ground Beef
1. Brown the beef. Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and onion and cook, breaking up the beef, until it is no longer pink (160°F) and the onion has softened. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Drain if needed and return to the pan.
2. Make the sauce. Whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar and ground ginger.
3. Simmer. Pour the sauce over the beef and simmer until it thickens and coats the beef, about 5 minutes.
4. Serve. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions and serve over cooked rice.
How to Make Teriyaki Sauce from Scratch
Teriyaki is a sweet and salty sauce built on soy sauce, a little sugar and ginger. The classic version also uses mirin or sake, a Japanese rice wine; this recipe leaves it out so everything comes from the pantry.
Whisk the sauce in a small bowl or measuring cup until the brown sugar dissolves: 1/3 cup soy sauce, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon honey, 2 teaspoons rice vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger. The rice vinegar adds a little acidity that balances the sweetness.
To keep the dish gluten-free, use tamari in place of the soy sauce. If you like your beef extra saucy, make a double batch of sauce and add it a little at a time until it is just how you like it.
Tips for Success
Why is my teriyaki beef greasy?
The fat was not drained before the sauce went in. Pour off the grease after browning; the sauce stays glossy and clings to the beef instead of turning thin and oily.
Why is my sauce too thin?
It needs a few more minutes of simmering. For a thicker glaze, stir in 1 teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon of water and simmer briefly until it thickens.
Variations
- Add vegetables: saute broccoli, snap peas, bell peppers, carrots or cabbage first, set them aside and stir them back in at the end. Double the sauce so there is enough to coat everything.
- Pineapple: stir in fresh or canned pineapple for a sweet, Hawaiian-style twist.
- Bottled sauce shortcut: use about 3/4 cup of a thick bottled teriyaki sauce in place of the homemade sauce.
Storage & Reheating
USDA FSIS says to refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours in shallow, covered containers and eat them within 3 to 4 days, or freeze them for 3 to 4 months. Reheat in a skillet or the microwave until it reaches 165°F, adding a splash of water or sauce if it looks dry.
What to Serve With It
Spoon it over white or brown rice, cauliflower rice or noodles, or wrap it in lettuce leaves or tortillas. To build a full bowl, add steamed or stir-fried broccoli, snap peas, bell pepper, carrots or mushrooms, and finish with extra green onion, chopped cilantro or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. For more quick Asian-inspired dinners, try 15-minute Mongolian ground beef noodles, Chinese beef and onion stir fry or slow cooker ground beef chow mein. If you love teriyaki, there is Hawaiian style teriyaki chicken and slow cooker chicken teriyaki, and on the side, chicken and bacon fried rice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Would teriyaki sauce be good with ground beef?
Yes. The same sweet and savory balance that works so well on chicken and salmon is a natural match for beef.
How can I make easy teriyaki ground beef?
Brown and drain the beef, stir in a five-ingredient homemade sauce or a thick bottled one, and simmer a few minutes until glossy. Serve over rice.
What other meat is good with teriyaki?
Ground turkey, chicken or pork all work in this recipe. Cook them the same way and drain any grease before the sauce goes in.
Final Notes
Have the rice cooking before you start the beef, so both are ready at the same time. If you have a question or make this, tell me how it turned out in the comments.
Teriyaki Ground Beef
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Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- sesame seeds for serving
- green onions sliced, for serving
Instructions
- Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and onion and cook, breaking up the beef, until it is no longer pink (160°F) and the onion has softened. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Drain if needed and return to the pan.
- Whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar and ground ginger.
- Pour the sauce over the beef and simmer until it thickens and coats the beef, about 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions and serve over cooked rice.
