If you are craving a dinner that bursts with rich, sweet, and tangy flavors, this Ninja Foodi Sweet Teriyaki Beef Tips Recipe is exactly what you need. Tender, juicy beef tips bathed in a perfectly balanced homemade teriyaki sauce make for an irresistible meal that cooks quickly and easily in your Ninja Foodi. The combination of honey, brown sugar, and fresh ginger creates a luscious glaze that clings beautifully to every bite, turning a simple dish into a standout crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re cooking for family or friends, this recipe is guaranteed to become a go-to favorite in your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for simple but essential ingredients that come together to create incredible depth of flavor and texture. Each item plays an important role, from the tender beef tips that provide hearty satisfaction to the delicate balance of sweet, salty, and tangy in the sauce.
- 1.5 lbs beef sirloin tips or stew meat: Choose tender cuts for bite-sized pieces that cook evenly and stay juicy.
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil: For a nice sear that locks in beef’s natural flavor.
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce: Adds salty umami without overpowering the sweet notes.
- 1/4 cup brown sugar: Deep caramel sweetness that enhances the sauce’s richness.
- 1/4 cup honey: Provides natural sweetness and a lovely sticky glaze.
- 1/4 cup water: Balances the sauce and prevents it from being too thick initially.
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar: Gives a subtle tang that brightens the flavors.
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil: Adds a subtle nutty aroma essential in teriyaki sauces.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced: Brings aromatic pungency and depth.
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated: Offers a fresh, spicy kick that lifts the dish.
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch: Thickens the sauce perfectly into a glossy finish.
- 2 tablespoons cold water (for slurry): Used to dissolve cornstarch for smooth sauce thickening.
- Sesame seeds and chopped green onions (optional): Adds crunch, color, and freshness as garnish.
How to Make Ninja Foodi Sweet Teriyaki Beef Tips Recipe
Step 1: Brown the Beef Tips
Start by setting your Ninja Foodi to ‘Sauté’ mode and heat the vegetable oil until shimmering. Add the beef tips in batches to avoid overcrowding, browning them on all sides until they develop a beautiful caramelized crust. This initial searing step is crucial as it builds complex flavors and locks in juices, ensuring every bite is tender and flavorful. Once browned, remove the beef tips and set them aside for the next step.
Step 2: Prepare the Teriyaki Sauce
While the beef rests, mix together the magic sauce in a bowl. Whisk the low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, water, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and freshly grated ginger until the sugar dissolves completely. This perfectly balanced mixture is the heart of the Ninja Foodi Sweet Teriyaki Beef Tips Recipe, supplying a harmonious blend of sweet, salty, tangy, and aromatic elements that define teriyaki’s beloved flavor profile.
Step 3: Combine Beef and Sauce
Return the browned beef tips to the Ninja Foodi pot and pour the teriyaki sauce over them. Stir gently but thoroughly to ensure every bite of beef is coated in that luscious sauce. This step sets the stage for pressure cooking, allowing the flavors to seep deeply into the meat.
Step 4: Pressure Cook the Beef
Seal the Ninja Foodi lid securely and set it to ‘Pressure Cook’ on high for 15 minutes. Make sure the valve is set to ‘Seal’ so the pot can build up the right amount of pressure. Pressure cooking tenderizes the beef quickly while infusing it with all the delicious sauce flavors, making otherwise tougher cuts melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Step 5: Release Pressure and Add Slurry
After the cooking time finishes, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes to allow the beef to rest, then carefully quick release any remaining pressure. Turn the Foodi back to ‘Sauté’ mode. Before the sauce thickens, mix the cornstarch with cold water to create a smooth slurry, then stir it into the pot. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly until the sauce transforms into a thick, shiny glaze that clings beautifully to the beef tips.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Finish by sprinkling toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions over the top if you like a little added texture and pop of fresh flavor. Your Ninja Foodi Sweet Teriyaki Beef Tips Recipe is now ready to serve and enjoy!
How to Serve Ninja Foodi Sweet Teriyaki Beef Tips Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes like sesame seeds and chopped green onions elevate your dish with color, crunch, and freshness. They also bring complementary textures that contrast the tender beef. Feel free to add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you want a hint of heat or a drizzle of extra sesame oil for that nutty finish.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine rice or brown rice to soak up the rich teriyaki sauce. Steamed or sautéed vegetables such as broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy provide a fresh, crisp balance and brighten up the plate. For a low-carb option, cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles work beautifully, soaking up flavors while keeping the meal light.
Creative Ways to Present
For entertaining or a dinner party, consider serving the beef tips over crispy fried rice or nestled on a bed of garlic mashed potatoes for a comforting twist. You can also turn it into a flavorful wrap or bowl with fresh greens, shredded carrots, and pickled cucumbers for a fusion-inspired meal that’s as fun to eat as it is delicious.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Ninja Foodi Sweet Teriyaki Beef Tips keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors may even deepen overnight, making for a quick and tasty lunch or second dinner option.
Freezing
This dish freezes exceptionally well. Place cooled beef tips and sauce in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. Be sure to leave some headspace or remove extra air to prevent freezer burn and maintain the best texture.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened too much. You can also use the microwave, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming. Avoid overheating to keep the beef tender and the sauce lush.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?
Absolutely! While sirloin tips or stew meat are ideal for tender, quick cooking, you can also use chuck roast cut into cubes or even flank steak. Just adjust cooking times slightly if the cuts are thicker or tougher.
Is it possible to make this recipe without honey?
Yes, you can substitute honey with maple syrup or extra brown sugar. These alternatives keep the sauce sweet and sticky, but honey adds a unique floral note that’s hard to replicate exactly.
How do I make sure the beef stays tender?
Using the pressure cooking function on your Ninja Foodi is key to tender beef. Avoid quick releasing all the pressure immediately after cooking; a natural pressure release for 10 minutes allows the meat fibers to relax and juices redistribute, keeping the beef soft.
Can this recipe be made without the Ninja Foodi?
Definitely. You can brown the beef in a large skillet and then transfer to a slow cooker or stovetop pan for simmering with the sauce. Just allow extra cooking time for the beef to become tender if not using pressure cooking.
What can I use to thicken the sauce if I don’t have cornstarch?
Arrowroot powder or potato starch are excellent substitutes for cornstarch and work similarly to thicken the sauce. Use the same amount and mix with cold water before adding to avoid lumps.
Final Thoughts
If you want a quick yet incredibly flavorful dish to impress yourself and your loved ones, give the Ninja Foodi Sweet Teriyaki Beef Tips Recipe a try. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners, offering comforting, rich flavors with a minimal fuss approach. Your Ninja Foodi will become your new favorite kitchen sidekick for recipes that bring joy to the table every time.
Print
Ninja Foodi Sweet Teriyaki Beef Tips Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
This Ninja Foodi Sweet Teriyaki Beef Tips recipe features tender beef sirloin tips cooked to perfection in a flavorful homemade teriyaki sauce, combining soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, garlic, and ginger. Using the Ninja Foodi’s pressure cooking and sauté functions, this dish is both quick and delicious, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions for added texture and taste. Perfect served over rice or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Ingredients
Beef and Oil
- 1.5 lbs beef sirloin tips or stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Teriyaki Sauce
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
Thickening Slurry
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water (for slurry)
Garnish (Optional)
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Turn the Ninja Foodi to ‘Sauté’ mode and heat the vegetable oil. Add the beef tips and brown them evenly on all sides, doing this in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Once browned, remove the beef from the pot and set it aside.
- Prepare Teriyaki Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, water, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated fresh ginger until well combined.
- Combine Beef and Sauce: Return the browned beef tips to the pot and pour the prepared teriyaki mixture over them. Stir thoroughly to coat the beef evenly with the sauce.
- Pressure Cook: Seal the lid of the Ninja Foodi, ensuring the valve is set to ‘Seal’. Set the cooker to ‘Pressure Cook’ on high for 15 minutes to tenderize the beef and develop flavors.
- Release Pressure: Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then perform a quick release to let out any remaining pressure safely.
- Thicken Sauce: Switch the Ninja Foodi back to ‘Sauté’ mode. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with cold water to create a slurry. Stir this slurry into the pot and cook for 2 to 3 minutes while stirring constantly, allowing the sauce to thicken to a glossy consistency.
- Serve and Garnish: Optionally, sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onions over the beef tips for added crunch and color. Serve the sweet teriyaki beef tips over steamed rice or vegetables for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to control salt levels in the dish.
- For extra flavor, marinate the beef in the teriyaki sauce for 30 minutes before cooking, though this is optional.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of brown sugar and honey according to your taste.
- If you don’t have a Ninja Foodi, this recipe can be adapted using an Instant Pot or stovetop pressure cooker with similar steps.
- Make sure to brown the beef well to develop a rich flavor base before pressure cooking.
