Teriyaki steak is a delicious Japanese-inspired dish that consists of steak cooked in a sweet and salty teriyaki sauce. It’s a simple yet flavorful recipe that goes great with rice or noodles and vegetables. But what are the best side dishes and sauces to serve with teriyaki steak? Here is a guide to pairing teriyaki steak with sides and sauces that will enhance the flavors and make for a well-rounded meal.
Rice
Rice is a classic pairing with teriyaki steak. The sweet and salty teriyaki sauce soaks into fluffy white rice for a mouthwatering combination in each bite. Here are some rice options to consider:
- Steamed white rice – Simple steamed Japanese short grain rice like sushi rice is perfect for soaking up the teriyaki sauce.
- Fried rice – Toss the rice with soy sauce, vegetables, eggs, etc for a heartier pairing.
- Brown rice – For a fiber boost, make some nutty brown rice.
- Rice pilaf – Cook rice in broth and seasoning for extra flavor.
- Cauliflower rice – Lower carb option using riced cauliflower.
When serving rice with teriyaki steak, be sure to fluff and season the rice. A bowl of plain white rice is the perfect canvas for the flavorful teriyaki steak.
Noodles
In addition to rice, noodles make an excellent pairing with teriyaki steak. The noodles soak up the tasty sauce and add comforting carbs and texture to the meal. Some noodle options include:
- Soba noodles – Buckwheat Japanese noodles that work well with teriyaki flavor.
- Udon noodles – Thick, chewy Japanese wheat noodles.
- Ramen – Japanese noodle soup with ramen noodles.
- Lo mein noodles – Chinese egg noodles tossed with vegetables.
- Rice noodles or glass noodles – For a gluten free option.
For the best texture, be careful not to overcook the noodles. Al dente is best to complement the tender, juicy teriyaki steak.
Vegetables
Adding vegetables to a teriyaki steak meal provides nutrients, colors, flavors and textures. Some vegetable ideas include:
- Broccoli – Grill or steam broccoli florets to pair with the steak.
- Bell peppers – Saute colorful sliced bell peppers.
- Onions – Caramelized onions are a perfect match.
- Snap peas – Quick sauteed snap peas.
- Carrots – Roasted, grilled or glazed carrots.
- Edamame – Boiled fresh soybeans.
- Bok choy – Saute baby bok choy with garlic and soy sauce.
Aim for a variety of textures and cooking methods for the vegetables. Stir fries, grilled veggies and steamed options all pair nicely with teriyaki steak.
Additional Proteins
For a heartier meal, you may want to accompany the teriyaki steak with additional proteins. Here are some top picks:
- Chicken – Grilled or pan seared chicken breast or thighs
- Shrimp – Sauteed, grilled or tempura shrimp
- Tofu – Grilled or pan fried teriyaki tofu
- Egg – Fried egg over rice
- Fish – Grilled or pan seared salmon fillet
Pairing the steak with seafood like shrimp or fish can make for a surf and turf meal. The chicken or tofu soaks up the teriyaki sauce nicely too.
Sauces and Condiments
To take the teriyaki steak to the next level, serve it with complementary sauces and condiments like:
- Soy sauce – For additional salty flavor, use as a dip or drizzle.
- Wasabi – Spicy green horseradish pairs nicely with beef.
- Ginger – Grated ginger adds flavor and aids digestion.
- Sriracha – For some heat, add sriracha sauce.
- Sesame seeds – Sprinkle white or black sesame seeds over rice or veggies.
- Scallions – Use chopped scallions as color and flavor garnish.
These sauces and condiments can help brighten up and enhance the big, bold teriyaki flavors. Add them to individual dishes or serve on the side for dipping.
What About Dessert?
After enjoying a satisfying savory teriyaki steak dinner, a nice sweet dessert is in order. Here are some options:
- Fresh fruit – Seasonal fruits like berries, pineapple, mango
- Yogurt – Plain yogurt topped with fruit and honey
- Sorbet – Light and refreshing lemon or mango sorbet
- Ice cream – Green tea or red bean ice cream for an Asian flair
- Mochi – Soft Japanese rice cake with sweet fillings
The fresh fruit helps to cleanse the palate after the hearty steak meal. Frozen yogurt, sorbets, and ice creams in fruit flavors also make nice light endings. For a truly authentic finish, mochi filled with sweet bean paste is a popular Asian dessert.
Full Teriyaki Steak Dinner Menu
Here is an example full dinner menu featuring teriyaki steak:
Appetizer:
Miso soup
Edamame
Main Course:
Teriyaki Steak
Steamed white rice
Sauteed broccoli
Grilled shimp skewers
Sauces:
Soy sauce, wasabi, ginger
Dessert:
Fresh pineapple
Green tea ice cream
This dinner menu incorporates teriyaki steak along with complementary rice, vegetables, and seafood. The miso soup makes a nice starter, and fresh fruit plus green tea ice cream end it on the perfect sweet note.
Make an Easy Teriyaki Marinade
Whipping up a homemade teriyaki sauce marinade helps flavors permeate the steak. Try this easy homemade teriyaki marinade:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 cup mirin or rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, combine all ingredients and whisk to blend into a smooth marinade.
- Place steak in a shallow dish and pour 3/4 of the marinade over the top.
- Let steak marinate for 30 minutes up to overnight, flipping halfway through.
- Remove steak from marinade and grill, broil or pan sear until cooked to desired doneness.
- Boil remaining marinade for 2-3 minutes to use as a sauce glaze over cooked steak.
This easy homemade teriyaki marinade infuses steak with sweet and salty Japanese flavors. Marinating for 30 minutes up to overnight helps the sauce permeate the meat for full flavor.
Teriyaki Steak Cooking Times
Proper cooking times help ensure a tender, juicy teriyaki steak cooked to the right doneness. Use these approximate grilling, broiling and pan searing times for teriyaki steak:
For 1-inch thick steaks:
- Rare – 4 minutes per side
- Medium rare – 5 minutes per side
- Medium – 6 minutes per side
- Medium well – 7 minutes per side
- Well done – 8-10 minutes per side
Always allow the steak to rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute. Check for doneness by nicking with a knife, checking internal temperature, or the finger poke test. Adjust times as needed based on thickness of steak and desired doneness.
Top Flavor Combos with Teriyaki Steak
Teriyaki steak pairs well with all kinds of ingredients and global flavors. Here are some top flavor combinations to try:
Japanese:
Wasabi, ginger, daikon, shiitake mushrooms, edamame
Chinese:
Hoisin sauce, 5 spice powder, bok choy, fried rice
Korean:
Gochujang, sesame oil, kimchi, roasted seaweed
Mexican:
Avocado, pico de gallo, cotija cheese, cilantro lime rice
Mediterranean:
Hummus, feta, olives, roasted red peppers, tzatziki
American:
BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese, potato wedges, coleslaw
Get creative mixing and matching flavors with simple pantry items. The sweet and salty teriyaki flavor profile pairs so well with all different world cuisines.
Choose the Right Steak Cut
The best steak cuts for teriyaki feature good marbling for flavor and tenderness. Top cuts of steak to use include:
- Ribeye
- Strip steak / NY strip
- Filet mignon
- Sirloin steak
- Flank steak
- Skirt steak
- Hanger steak
Ribeye or strip steak are classic choices with nice marbling. Lean tenderloin or filet mignon also works well and absorbs the teriyaki flavors beautifully. Flank, skirt, or hanger steak are budget-friendly cuts that turn out very tasty with teriyaki marinade.
For the meatiest beefy flavor, choose a boneless ribeye or strip steak about 1-inch thick. Make sure to slice the cooked steak against the grain for tenderness.
Healthy Teriyaki Steak Tips
While teriyaki steak is a flavorful, savory treat, there are ways to lighten it up a bit:
- Use lean beef cuts like sirloin or round steak.
- Trim off any visible fat before cooking.
- Broil, grill or pan sear instead of deep frying.
- Cut down on the sugar in the teriyaki sauce.
- Boost veggies instead of heavy starch sides.
- Stick to a modest portion size of 6 oz steak.
- Avoid high-fat pan sauces made with butter.
- Use reduced sodium soy sauce.
- Serve with brown rice instead of white rice.
With some simple substitutions and smart sides, teriyaki steak can be a healthy home cooked meal. The lean beef and veggie sides provide protein, nutrients and fiber.
Pick the Best Teriyaki Sauce from the Store
High quality bottled teriyaki sauce can make quick and easy work of flavoring steak or other dishes. Here are some of the best store-bought teriyaki sauces:
- Kikkoman Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce – Thick, sweet, salty classic Japanese style
- Yamasa Soy Sauce Teriyaki Sauce – Straight from Japan with signature flavor
- San-J Organic Wheat Free Tamari Teriyaki – Gluten free option with wheat free soy sauce
- Soy Vay Veri Veri Teriyaki – Well balanced natural flavors
- Annie Chun’s Gourmet Sesame Teriyaki – With distinctive sesame seeds
- Golden Mountain Sauce Teriyaki Sauce- Budget buy at Asian grocers
Check the ingredients and aim for options without a lot of additives like corn syrup or MSG. The best quality sauces use just soy sauce, sugar, vinegar and garlic or ginger. Stir fry with vegetables or use as a marinade for authentic restaurant worthy results at home.
Conclusion
Teriyaki steak is a quick and easy dinner that bursts with sweet and salty Japanese flavor. For the best results, marinate steak in a homemade or store-bought teriyaki sauce. Then serve with complementary sides like rice, noodles and vegetables. Add extra flavor accents with condiments like grated ginger and garnishes such as scallions. Pairing the right ingredients with teriyaki steak results in a well-rounded, delicious meal the whole family will love.