Description
A quick and savory Japanese beef bowl that comes together in under 20 minutes. Thinly sliced beef is simmered with sweet onions and a rich soy-mirin sauce, served over steamed rice for a comforting weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb thinly sliced beef (for shabu-shabu, sukiyaki, or Korean BBQ)
- 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (Japanese brand like Kikkoman recommended)
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 2 tbsp sake
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tsp dashi stock granules (optional)
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 1 tsp sesame oil (for finishing)
- Steamed rice for serving
- Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the beef by letting it sit for 5 minutes if frozen to separate slices.
- Slice the yellow onions thinly against the grain.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, and dashi granules until sugar is dissolved.
- Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Add onions and a pinch of salt, cooking until soft and translucent (about 5 minutes).
- Pour the sauce mixture over the onions and add grated ginger. Simmer for 2 minutes to meld flavors.
- Increase heat to medium-high. Lay beef slices in a single layer over onions. Let sear for 30 seconds, then gently fold into sauce. Cook until beef is just no longer pink (2-3 minutes).
- Turn off heat, drizzle with sesame oil, and serve immediately over hot steamed rice topped with green onions.
Notes
Do not overcook the beef as thin slices become tough quickly. Let the beef sear briefly before folding to lock in flavor. Ensure onions are fully softened and sweet before adding beef. If substituting mirin, use dry sherry with extra sugar. For a vegetarian version, swap beef for firm tofu or seitan.
- Prep Time: 6 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl with rice and
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 32
Keywords: beef gyudon, japanese beef bowl, quick weeknight dinner, easy beef recipe, shabu shabu beef, comfort food, 20 minute meals