Ginger-Teriyaki Beef Kebabs Recipe

By
Joshua Bousel
a photo of Joshua Bousel, a Contributing Writer at Serious Eats
Joshua Bousel is a Serious Eats old-timer, having started sharing his passion for grilling and barbecue recipes on the site back in 2008. He continues to develop grilling and barbecue recipes on his own site, The Meatwave, out of his home base of Durham, North Carolina.
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Updated August 29, 2018
20140515-293055-ginger-teriyaki-kabobs.jpg
Sirloin tips are cubed and soaked in a ginger-teriyaki marinade before being threaded on skewers with pineapple, bell peppers, and sweet onions and grilled over direct heat. . Joshua Bousel

A ginger-teriyaki marinade and glaze gives these grilled beef kebabs a savory-sweet flavor with just a little bite.

Why this recipe works:

  • Sirloin tips provide the right balance between tenderness and flavor for kebabs.
  • Using 1 1/2-inch cubes allows the steak enough time to sear over direct heat and still remain medium-rare to medium inside.
  • Pineapple, onions, and bell peppers add sweet and fresh flavors to the rich steak.
  • A final brushing of teriyaki glaze at the end of cooking deepens the flavor of the marinated meat.

Recipe Details

Ginger-Teriyaki Beef Kebabs Recipe

Active 40 mins
Total 2 hrs 40 mins
Serves 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger

  • 1 tablespoon freshly minced garlic (from about 3 medium cloves)

  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

  • 3/4 cup teriyaki sauce

  • 3/4 cup pineapple juice, divided

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar

  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

  • 1 1/2 pounds beef sirloin tips, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes

  • 1/2 pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes

  • 1 large sweet onion, sliced into 1 1/2-inch cubes (about 3 onion layers each)

  • 2 medium red, yellow, or orange bell peppers, cut into 1 1/2-inch squares

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add ginger, garlic, and red pepper and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in teriyaki sauce, 1/4 cup of pineapple juice, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.

  2. Pour half of marinade into a small bowl and whisk in remaining 1/2 cup pineapple juice. Reserve remaining marinade in saucepan as a glaze to be used during grilling. Place beef cubes in a large resealable plastic bag. Add marinade and seal bag, pressing out as much air as possible. Marinate, refrigerated, for at least 2 and up to 5 hours.

  3. Thread beef onto skewers, alternating with pineapple, onion, and bell peppers.

  4. Light one chimney full of charcoal. When all the charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and arrange coals on one side of the charcoal grate. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill and allow to preheat for 5 minutes. Clean and oil the grilling grate. Grill skewers over direct heat until beef is well seared on all sides, about 3 minutes per side. Move skewers to cool side of grill and brush all over with reserved teriyaki glaze. Cover grill and continue to cook until center of beef registers between 125-130°F on an instant read thermometer. Transfer skewers to platter and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve immediately.

Special equipment

Grill; metal or bamboo kebab skewers (if using bamboo skewers, soak in water for 30 minutes before using)

This Recipe Appears In

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
407Calories
19gFat
28gCarbs
31gProtein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories407
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 19g25%
Saturated Fat 7g34%
Cholesterol 94mg31%
Sodium 1734mg75%
Total Carbohydrate 28g10%
Dietary Fiber 2g8%
Total Sugars 21g
Protein 31g
Vitamin C 126mg631%
Calcium 61mg5%
Iron 3mg17%
Potassium 705mg15%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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