Sticky Sesame Beef with Crunchy Cucumber
Sticky Sesame Beef with Crunchy Cucumber
Ingredients
For the Beef
- 1 1/2 pounds flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, for stir-frying
For the Sticky Sesame Sauce
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
For the Crunchy Cucumber Garnish
- 1 English cucumber, thinly sliced into half moons
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced into rings
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons white sesame seeds, toasted, for garnish
For Serving
- cooked rice, as needed
Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, combine the sliced flank steak with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil. Toss to coat evenly. Let marinate at room temperature for at least 15 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 30 minutes.
⏱️ 15 min
- 2
While the beef marinates, prepare the sticky sesame sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, grated fresh ginger, and minced garlic. In a separate tiny bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry; set aside.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Prepare the cucumber garnish: thinly slice the English cucumber into half moons, thinly slice the red onion into rings, and thinly slice the green onions. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated beef in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Sear for 2-3 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Remove the beef from the wok and set aside.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Reduce the heat to medium. Pour the prepared sticky sesame sauce into the same wok. Bring to a gentle simmer, then slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Return the cooked beef to the wok with the thickened sauce. Toss gently to coat all the beef evenly with the sticky sauce.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Serve the sticky sesame beef immediately over cooked rice. Garnish generously with the sliced English cucumber, red onion rings, green onions, and toasted white sesame seeds.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Sticky Sesame Beef with Crunchy Cucumber
Ingredients
For the Beef
- 1 1/2 pounds flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, for stir-frying
For the Sticky Sesame Sauce
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
For the Crunchy Cucumber Garnish
- 1 English cucumber, thinly sliced into half moons
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced into rings
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons white sesame seeds, toasted, for garnish
For Serving
- cooked rice, as needed
Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, combine the sliced flank steak with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil. Toss to coat evenly. Let marinate at room temperature for at least 15 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 30 minutes.
⏱️ 15 min - 2
While the beef marinates, prepare the sticky sesame sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, grated fresh ginger, and minced garlic. In a separate tiny bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry; set aside.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Prepare the cucumber garnish: thinly slice the English cucumber into half moons, thinly slice the red onion into rings, and thinly slice the green onions. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated beef in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Sear for 2-3 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Remove the beef from the wok and set aside.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Reduce the heat to medium. Pour the prepared sticky sesame sauce into the same wok. Bring to a gentle simmer, then slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Return the cooked beef to the wok with the thickened sauce. Toss gently to coat all the beef evenly with the sticky sauce.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Serve the sticky sesame beef immediately over cooked rice. Garnish generously with the sliced English cucumber, red onion rings, green onions, and toasted white sesame seeds.
⏱️ 1 min